Austria’s greenhouse gas emissions increased in 2017
According to the Umweltbundesamt’s annual statement of emissions for 2017, Austria’s greenhouse gas emissions increased by about 3.3 % between 2016 and 2017, amounting to 82,3 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2017. This corresponds to an increase in emissions by 2.7 million tonnes compared with 2016. One of the most important factors responsible for this trend was the - otherwise encouraging - economic growth.
Harmful carbon emissions from sectors outside the emissions trading system increased, in the transport sector by about 2.9 %, in the buildings sector by 1.8 %, whereas emissions from agriculture and waste management decreased by 1.4 % and 4.2 % respectively. Emissions from industry and energy production (covered by the emissions trading system) also increased by 5.4 %.
Outlook: climate targets 2020 and 2030
For the period 2013-2020, there are upper limits applicable in Austria on the amount of greenhouse gases from transport, buildings, agriculture and waste management, as well as from all other sources not regulated under the emissions trading scheme. Unlike in previous years (2013-2016), emissions in 2017 were above the national limit of 49.5 million tonnes – against approx. 51.7 million tonnes actually emitted from these sectors. In total, Austria thus has 6.2 million tonnes at its disposal which can be used as offset credits for the period up to 2020. In the assessment of the Umweltbundesamt, the Environment Agency Austria, however, it is not certain whether the climate targets 2020 can be met on the basis of the current data.
To meet the energy and climate targets 2030, it is absolutely necessary to implement extensive measures to reduce the use of fossil fuels. By then, Austria will have to achieve a 36% reduction (from 2005 levels) for emission sources outside the emission trading system.
