The Austrian Strategy for adaptation to climate change. Part 2 Action Plan. Recommendations for action for implementation.

This Action Plan contains concrete recommendations for implementing contents of the Adaptation Strategy action to climate change and involves all relevant Federal ministries, the states, representatives of special interest groups, stakeholders and NGOs, in order to coordinate a cross-sectoral approach between administrative levels and each specific sector and strengthen institutionalised cooperation and political decision-making processes to address. Considering that adaptation is a dynamic process, the Strategy needs to be continuously developed and optimised in line with the increasing knowledge in politics and science. This Action Plan, in order to assess the need, type and urgency of adaptation measures and to be able to plan measures, provides for an assessment of the vulnerability of Austria and defines the concept of vulnerability and its indicators related to climate change.
The Strategy provides detailed recommendations and adaptation goals concerning the following core areas of action: 1) Agriculture, the goal of ensuring sustainable, resource-conserving and climate-friendly production and improving of the ecological services is achieved through: sustainable soil composition and protection of soil fertility; establishment and promotion of water-saving irrigation systems; breeding and targeted use of water-saving and heat-tolerant plants; adjustment of fertiliser management to seasonal weather patterns; scientific advices on potential new agricultural pests and diseases; environmentally sustainable use of pesticides and other plant protection products; selection of site-adapted crops; development of risk minimisation instruments; integrated landscaping for soil protection and improvement of agricultural ecology; preservation of existing pastures; promotion of animal welfare and animal health. 2) Forestry, the goal of sustainable management of multifunctional effects of forest adapted to climatic changes is achieved through: selection of tree species and provenance; appropriate silvicultural management; soil-friendly management; reduction of game damage; advisory service for forest owners; improvement of crisis and calamity management; establishment of preventive measures concerning forest fires prevention; forest pollution control; innovative techniques for wood processing. 3) Water resources and water management, the goal of ensuring sustainable water resources, the supply of high-quality drinking water, the environmental treatment of wastewater and the protection of the population from natural hazards, is achieved through: analysis of existing and further data on water resources; improving conditions concerning water consumption and water demand; responsible use of water resources; guarantee of future water supply; securing good ecological and chemical status of groundwater and water bodies; water management planning for groundwater resources; adaptive flood risk management; industrial water management instruments.
4) Protection from natural hazards and disaster management, the goal of strengthening the precautionary principle through private actions is achieved through: development and promotion of danger and risk awareness; sustainable spatial development strategies; water retention in catchment areas and reactivation of natural floodplains; promotion of forecasting and early warning systems; promotion of research on the impact of climate change on extreme events; risk reduction management and property protection measures; improvement of conditions for volunteering in disaster management field. 5) Health, the goal of avoiding direct and indirect climate related health effects is achieved through: preparation for extreme events and outbreaks of infectious diseases; dealing with heat and drought, floods, avalanches and rock falls; advancement of knowledge for handling pathogens and infectious diseases; dealing with pollutants; securing living conditions and food security. 6) Ecosystem and biodiversity, the goal of preserving biodiversity, ecosystem and its functions is achieved through: research on the effects of climate change on ecosystem and biodiversity; maintenance of extensive land use; strengthening of threatened populations and species; protection of wetland habitats by ensuring quality and quantity of groundwater; promotion of restoration of waters and prevention of substantial warming of bodies of water; conservation of ecosystem services in sustainable land use and nature conservation.