Austrian Strategy for Adaptation to Climate Change

The effects of climate change threaten our lives, our environment, our prosperity and our economy. Heatwaves, droughts, heavy rainfall, floods and landslides have turned from marginal phenomena into constant threats in Austria. The pace of climate change is increasing rapidly and is therefore causing strains on our health, for example through longer pollen seasons and more frequent heatwaves.

In order to overcome the climate crisis, both consistent efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as well as significant progress in adapting to climate change are necessary at the same time. 

In 2012, Austria was one of the first countries in the European Union (EU) to link a strategic concept for climate change adaptation (NAS) with a comprehensive action plan (NAP) for the implementation of specific policy recommendations. Since then, the strategy has been regularly updated based on new scientific findings and in line with political developments. The development of the strategy is followed by the respective progress report, which evaluates the implementation of the adaptation measures in Austria. All relevant ministries, the federal states, the scientific community, interest groups, stakeholders and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) are always involved in the process.

The third iteration of the National Adaptation Strategy is now available. In a process lasting around two years, it was revised and its content deepened based on new scientific findings and the results of the 2021 progress report. This further developed adaptation strategy was adopted by the Council of Ministers in April 2024 and was noted with approval by the Provincial States’ Climate Change Conference and the Provincial Governors' Conference.

The previous structure has remained unchanged. The overall document consists of a strategic section with basic information (context) and an action plan with specific recommendations for policies. It deals comprehensively with 14 fields of activity. An executive summary has also been designed. This strategy forms the common umbrella for all relevant activities that will secure our livelihoods in the future. It sets out criteria and contains an action plan with more than 120 specific recommendations for action, ranging from the electricity industry, mobility and construction to agriculture and tourism.

In the area of construction and housing, these include structural measures (both in new and existing buildings) that offer protection against heat, as well as the increased use of passive and active cooling with alternative, energy-efficient and resource-saving technologies. In the area of biodiversity, measures include the protection of wetland habitats and the strengthening of species-protecting agriculture and forestry. In the area of mobility, measures aim at ensuring thermal comfort in public transport, for example.

The task now is to intensify our joint efforts to implement the recommendations for action. The central message of the adaptation strategy must be consistently realised through mainstreaming climate adaptation. Climate change impacts and risks must be taken into account in a sustainable and systematic manner in all relevant planning and decision-making processes, from the national to the local level, involving public authorities, the private sector and individuals.