Long-Term Strategy 2050 - Austria.

The strategy's goal is to make Austria a climate-neutral by no later than 2050. The strategy includes a comprehensive transformation of both energy supply and consumption patterns and that includes an adapted but competitive economic system goes far beyond of merely reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The key elements to achieve the goal are resource saving, sustainable and innovative technologies and the circular economy. The development of the vision, the design of the strategy, the definition, the implementation and review of concrete measures is a core task of politicians and public administration. At the same time, the business community is an important partner for achieving the energy and climate transformation. The text refers to the national plan objectives by 2030 as reduce of greenhouse gas emissions by 36% compared with 2005 levels, increase of the share of renewable energy, coverage of 100% of domestic electricity consumption from renewable sources and improvement of primary energy intensity. In order to becoming climate neutral by no later than 2050 the unavoidable greenhouse gas emissions will be compensated by carbon storage in natural or technical sinks.
The text provides for expansion of electricity market through use of renewable energy and less dependency on fossil energy imports. The local energy supply is increased and the associated costs and risks for supply of energy are decreased. The text further lays out provision for energy efficiency aiming for economic and prosperity growth by using the technical, economic, social, organisational, and institutional possibilities with as little energy input as possible. The strategy refers as well to bio-economy as an economic concept that offers a great opportunity to meet global challenges such as progressing climate change, food and water scarcity, and growing pollution levels while also strengthening economic development. The text further refers to the legal and political framework in the transport sector, residential and commercial building sectors, thermal and energy refurbishment of existing buildings and efficiency improvements for heating systems and consideration of climate-friendly energy supply in spatial planning, zoning, and development planning.
A central element of Austrian agricultural policy is the support of a competitive, environmentally friendly, resource-saving, comprehensive agriculture, which is often based on family farms. Specific measures such as the reduction of the use of mineral nitrogen fertilisers through optimisation of the whole fertiliser chain, as well as the optimisation of humus and soil carbon content also make a key contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The text further refers to fields of action in forestry including forest management and use of forest products in a balance way. The strategy further refers to the key role of digitalisation in a climate-neutral economy and provides examples of contribution from digitalisation and innovation. The strategy further provides for financing, assessment of socio-economic effects and governance. The text is drafted in 6 Parts which last part covers annexes on tables and figures.