Austria emits about the same amount of greenhouse gases as in 1990. By 2030, however, emissions are to be halved. To ensure that this actually succeeds, the Austrian Climate Council has made 93 recommendations after long – and expensive – consultations. They should guarantee that Austria will become climate-neutral by 2040.
One of the concerns of the 88 climate councils: anti-discrimination for fruit and vegetables. In the future, therefore, the disadvantage and unequal treatment of certain foods should also be fought. The climate council does not reveal whether the establishment of an anti-discrimination office is planned.
The fact is: Discrimination based on perceptible characteristics – such as the external shape – will also be a no-go in nutrition in the future. Crooked vegetables should no longer be pushed back compared to other foods, that would be unfair. Therefore, a purchase obligation for crooked vegetables – including crooked cucumbers – should apply.
Further changes in behavior when eating are to be enacted: the destruction of food is to be banned, but the use of climate-friendly food in restaurants and canteen kitchens is to be made mandatory.
The 15 scientists involved in the process are convinced: “The measures proposed by the climate councilors, a cross-section of the Austrian population, show that the citizens are ready for far-reaching changes in behavior beyond their comfort zone.” Whether this also includes public distribution refrigerators , as proposed by the Council? According to this, ice boxes would be used collectively in the future.
The members of the climate council do not seem to be too worried about the inflation crisis – at least not the remaining 88 climate councils, because there were originally 100. The CO2 price is to be raised significantly, by 2025 to 120 euros per ton and by 2030 to 240 euros per ton. CO2 pricing is also planned for building materials, and volume discounts for food are to be banned – otherwise people would buy too much. There should also be higher taxes for climate-damaging vehicles. You can see: The record inflation is obviously not that bad, there is still room for improvement.
Another cornerstone: an enforceable fundamental right to climate protection. It is unclear against whom this fundamental right can be asserted, whether only against the state or also against fellow human beings who are not so serious about climate protection and are thereby violating the fundamental right of others to comprehensive climate protection.
In fact: no area is left out. For example, the protection of monuments should also be adapted to climate protection.
The proposal not to allow any new combustion engines from as early as 2027 would have far-reaching consequences. E-mobility is still a long way from being established. But even if the change were to succeed, drivers would be left at a disadvantage, in accordance with the wishes of the climate council. At the same time, “city tolls and car-free inner cities” are to be promoted, a monthly car-free day introduced in all larger cities and company cars reduced. After all: A relief is also planned: the tax deductibility of bicycles.
Consumers and producers are also being challenged in other ways: the repairability of products should be made mandatory and the destruction of new goods should be prohibited.
