Austria's greenhouse gas emissions in 2019
From 2018 to 2019, Austria’s greenhouse gas emissions increased by 1.5 %, amounting to 79.8 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2019, according to the official figures of the Umweltbundesamt (Environment Agency Austria) for Austria’s greenhouse gas emissions in 2019.
Emissions were thus 1.2 million tonnes higher than in 2018. The decisive factors for this development were an increase in steel production and an increase in electricity produced in natural gas power plants. As regards economic growth (1.6 % in real terms) and population growth (0.4 %), 2019 was an average year. After a very mild weather in 2018, 2019 saw a slight increase (+ 1.4 %) in the number of heating degree days, although they were still slightly below the long-term trend. As regards 2020, Umweltbundesamt experts believe that greenhouse gas emissions will have decreased significantly (by approximately minus 9 %) due to the measures taken to tackle the coronavirus pandemic.
Outlook to 2020
The coronavirus lockdown measures are expected to have caused, in the short term, a sharp drop in emissions in 2020. According to first estimates based on available data, Umweltbundesamt experts expect a reduction of about 9 %. The reduction targets for the period 2013 – 2020 are likely to be achieved.
Outlook to 2030
In December 2020, the EU decided to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 55 % by the year 2030 (compared to 1990 levels). EU derived national targets are expected to be proposed in 2021. To meet the climate targets 2030 and to achieve climate neutrality for Austria in 2040, far-reaching steps are necessary in the transformation towards a reduction of fossil fuel use.
National greenhouse gas inventory
The Environment Agency Austria compiles Austria’s annual greenhouse gas inventory every year and thus provides the official figures for Austria’s reporting requirements under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and according to EU rules. The Umweltbundesamt is Austria’s leading environmental expert organisation. Since 2006 it has been accredited, as the only organisation worldwide, for compiling national greenhouse gas emission inventories (quality management according to ÖVE/ÖNORM EN ISO/IEC 17020). A detailed analysis of greenhouse gas emissions trends in Austria is provided every year in Austria’s annual report on climate change mitigation.
Links
Training Center for National Greenhouse Gas and Air Emission Inventory Capacity Building
