Integrated National Energy and Climate Plan for Austria.

The Strategy aims to meet the Sustainable Development Goals in the areas of greenhouse gas reduction, renewable energy and energy efficiency by 2030, in line with the objectives of the European Union. Security of energy supply, competitiveness, affordability and research and development complete the aims of the Strategy. The Strategy not only forms the basis for Austria’s National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP) in accordance with the Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the Governance of the Energy Union and Climate Action1, but also provides the medium- and long- term framework for transforming the energy system in line with the goals of the Paris Agreement on climate change. Long-term decarbonisation must be used in the best possible way in terms of the eco-social market economy, as well as from an economic, environmental and social standpoint. Accordingly, the implementation of these long-term objectives must be shaped in such a way as to result in a highly successful economic, environmental and social model of a resource-efficient economy.
For the implementation of the Policy, the text provides tables for the main objectives and action areas of the NECP based on sectors, measures, instruments and other dimensions affecting the decarbonisation energy efficiency. The text provides for the energy policy framework based on the EU objectives to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 40%;increasing the share of renewable energy sources to 32%; and increasing energy efficiency by at least 32.5% by 2030. The Policy is laying out measures for implementation of five dimensions of the Energy Union including Decarbonisation (1) through reducing greenhouse emissions in transport, mobility management, buildings, agriculture and forestry, waste management and development of renewable energy; Energy Efficiency (2) through implementing cumulative energy efficiency targets, energy savings and energy audit obligations; Security of Energy Supply (3) through decreasing consumption of oil and gas products, natural gas and electricity power; Market Integration (4) through Network Development Plan (NDP) and projects of common interest based on priority strategic geographical energy infrastructures in Europe, German-Austrian common market zone in the wholesale electricity market, Coordinated Network Development Plan (CNDP), long term plan and projects of common interest in gas sector; Research, Development and Competitiveness (5) through research and technological development, increasing fund for research and innovation and increase the presence of Austrian research institutes and innovation companies.
As to agriculture and forestry the text elaborates that support of a competitive, eco-friendly and resource-saving nationwide agriculture based on family farms is a central element of Austrian agricultural policy. The text further lays out provision for reduction in the use of mineral fertilisers, reduction of nitrogen excretion, increasing farm manure fermentation, maintaining a stable cattle population from 2025 onwards and use of renewable energy sources in agriculture. The Policy contains as well provision for hydrogen strategy as a decisive contribution in the restructuring of energy system. The text further provides for the cooperation between stakeholders at national and EU level, participation of local and regional administrations, social partners, civil society and citizens for implementation of the Policy. The Policy consists of two Sections referring to National Plan (A) and Analytical Basis (B) and five subsections as follow: Overview and Plan Development Process (1); National Targets and Objectives (2); Policies and Measures (3); Current Situation and Projections with Existing Measures (4); Impact Assessment of Planned Policies and Measures (5).