Austria has recorded a 6.4% decrease in greenhouse gas emissions for 2023, marking the lowest emission levels since 1990. The latest “Nowcast” forecast data, presented by Environment Minister Leonore Gewessler (Greens) at a press conference on Thursday, attributes this substantial drop mainly to the country’s aggressive climate protection policies over the past four years.
While economic factors and milder weather conditions played a minor role in the reduction—accounting for only about one percentage point—Gewessler emphasized that Austria’s proactive environmental strategies are the main driver behind the decline. “This reduction is equivalent to 4.7 million tons of CO2, bringing the total emissions down to 68.2 million tons—the lowest since 1990,” she announced.
The findings from the Environmental Agency reveal a significant overall improvement, surpassing earlier estimates from March. Over the last two years, Austria’s greenhouse gas emissions have fallen by 11.9%, a testament to the effectiveness of the country’s climate policies.
“Austria is on the path to achieving climate neutrality by 2040. The Environmental Agency’s calculations confirm that bold climate policies work. We are seeing record growth in renewable energy, driven by initiatives like the Klimaticket, green electricity expansion, and renovation campaigns, all of which contribute to the continued decline in emissions,” Gewessler stated.
The reduction was observed across all sectors, with notable decreases in the building sector, where emissions fell by around 20%. The drop in emissions in this area is primarily due to a shift towards renewable energy and improvements in insulation, although fewer heating days also contributed slightly. “We have been on track with the EU’s Effort Sharing Regulation (ESR) goals for two years now—this is a very encouraging development,” noted Günther Lichtblau from the Environmental Agency.
The mobility sector remains a critical area for achieving climate targets. Despite a 3.8% reduction in emissions, transportation still accounts for the largest share of Austria’s greenhouse gas emissions—19.8 million tons, or 45% of emissions in sectors not covered by emissions trading. Lichtblau credited the decrease to factors such as a decline in fuel tourism and the energy crisis sparked by the war in Ukraine, noting that “without these price signals, this progress would not have been possible.”
Minister Gewessler also highlighted the impact of CO2 pricing and public transport investments, including the widespread adoption of the Klimaticket and the promotion of electric mobility, as key factors driving the reduction in emissions.
Looking ahead, sustaining this reduction will be essential. Lichtblau emphasized that Austria will need to continue reducing emissions by 4-5% annually to stay on the path toward climate neutrality. “Austria has been performing well internationally since 2020, especially compared to countries like Germany, which has struggled to meet its climate goals,” Lichtblau added.
Environmental groups have also weighed in on the progress. Jasmin Duregger, a climate and energy expert at Greenpeace, urged the new government to accelerate efforts to meet the legal requirement of halving Austria’s greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. Global 2000 praised the significant reduction in natural gas consumption but called for the swift enactment of the Renewable Gas Act to maintain momentum. Meanwhile, the Austrian Transport Club (VCÖ) pointed out that transport emissions remain a “notorious exception,” with levels now 43% higher than in 1990, underscoring the need for continued efforts in this sector.