Mission
The “climate-neutral city” mission
Cities play a central role in this transformation: they are responsible for around three quarters of global CO2 emissions and account for 78% of global energy consumption. In the future, more and more people will live in urban areas and will be particularly exposed to the effects of climate change, such as heat waves, air pollution, and extreme weather events.
At the same time, cities are main economic drivers and focal points of economic development, research, and innovation. These employs cities with great a potential to develop new solution strategies and become pioneers in climate protection and climate change adaptation.
With the research policy priority "Climate-neutral city", the BMK and the Climate and Energy Fund are supporting urban pioneers on their way to a climate-friendly future. The mission accelerates the rapid development and demonstration of innovative solution modules via a research, technology, and development program called "Technologies and Innovations for the Climate Neutral City".
At the same time, valuable learning environments and knowhow that can be used by other Austrian cities and municipalities are generated. The pioneer cities want to achieve climate neutrality before 2040 by means of ambitious strategies. By doing so, they serve as role models for other Austrian cities for a successful sustainable transition.
Pioneer cities: beacons of a climate-friendly future
Cities play a central role in the fight against the climate crisis. I am therefore delighted that four more pioneer cities - Linz, Salzburg, Dornbirn and Wiener Neustadt - are now becoming climate-neutral pioneers. They are demonstrating how we can join forces to achieve ambitious climate targets locally.
Pioneer cities are leading the way together and developing practical, climate-effective solutions for the energy and mobility transition as well as the circular economy, which are to be implemented and disseminated as quickly as possible.
They are great examples of how strategies and measures need to be aligned in order to implement climate-friendly development. Over the next few years, the pioneers will build up the necessary capacities, implement the first climate-neutral urban districts and share their knowledge.
Climate-neutral urban areas not only represent a contribution to climate protection, but also bring considerable benefits for their citizens. They score points not only for their ecological focus, but also for their economic benefits. The use of renewable energies, energy-efficient buildings and sharing concepts enables cost savings for residents and businesses. The spread of such sustainable strategies also leads to growing expertise in environmentally friendly technologies, potentially creating new fields of work and innovation.
These urban areas offer benefits such as better air quality, reduced noise emissions, sufficient green and open spaces, good infrastructure, and attractive mobility options. This contributes to a general increase in quality of life.
Furthermore, climate-neutral neighborhoods can serve as a model for other regions and encourage different stakeholders to implement sustainable approaches in their own areas. This creates new opportunities for participation and good social interaction.