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Information on national adaptation actions reported under the Governance Regulation

Reporting updated until: 2023-03-10

Item Status Links
National Adaptation Strategy (NAS)
  • actual adaptation policy (adopted)
National Adaptation Plan (NAP)
  • actual adaptation policy (adopted)
Meteorological observations
  • Established
Climate projections and services
  • Established
  • Established
  • Established
Adaptation portals and platforms
  • Established
Monitoring, reporting and evaluation (MRE) indicators and methodologies
  • Established
  • Established
Key reports and publications
National communication to the UNFCCC
Governance regulation adaptation reporting
In Austria, climate change is making itself more and more clearly noticeable. Its existence is demonstrated by measurements and observations, and it is proceeding faster than the global average. The increase of annual mean temperature in Austria since pre-industrial times has been more than twice the amount of global warming (APCC14).

Adaptation to climate change has been on the national policy making agenda since as early as 2007, when the process for developing the first national adaptation strategy (NAS) started. Since then, Austria has increasingly devoted itself to the question of how best to tackle climate change in its own country.

The Austrian Strategy for Adaptation to Climate Change was adopted for the first time by the Council of Ministers in October 2012 and was endorsed by the Provincial Governors’ Conference in May 2013. Austria was thus one of the first EU Member States to link a strategic framework for adaptation to climate change (NAS) with a comprehensive action plan (NAP) for implementing concrete recommendations for action.

The Austrian political system is a Federation with 9 federal provinces (Länder), each of which has its own government and parliament. Government responsibilities are shared between federation, federal provinces and local authorities. Austria acceded to the European Union in 1995 and ceded some areas of national jurisdiction to the community.

Austria is a land-locked country in central Europe with an area of 83,858 km2. A large part of Austria is covered by the eastern Alps; about 40 % of the total area lies more than 1,000 m above sea level. An increase of more than 1°C in average temperature has been observed during the last century. Forests make up almost half of the Austrian total territory; the agricultural area including alpine pastures has a share of more than one third. Due to the mountainous orography, only 37% of the national territory are permanently inhabitable.

The Alpine main ridge influences overall Austrian climate conditions by dividing especially precipitation regimes between Atlantic and Mediterranean weather influences, causing a gradient of decreasing annual precipitation amounts from northwest to southeast (windward- and leeward-side of the Alps). As large parts of Austria are located in the transition zone and the Alpine mountainous terrain is strongly diversified, this creates highly variable climatic conditions on a small scale, thus also increasing local uncertainties regarding the modelling of precipitation changes.
Austria’s total permanent population reached 8.93 million inhabitants in 2021; after stagnation in the early 1980s, this represents an increase of more than 1.3 million inhabitants since 1990. Average population density is 107 inhabitants/km² total area. Slightly less than one third of all Austrians live in five cities with more than 100,000 inhabitants each; more than half of the population lives in municipalities with less than 10,000 inhabitants, and 90% of all Austrian municipalities have less than 5,000 inhabitants. Whereas population increased by more than 16% and the number of households increased by about 38% from 1990 to 2021, and useful floor space increased by 43% (1990-2020). Like in other industrialised countries, the share of population groups in employable age is decreasing, while the number of retired and older people is increasing significantly stronger than that of young people. Due to a trend of domestic migration, most of the population growth is concentrated in urban agglomerations, while many rural areas are affected by population losses.
Austria has the characteristics of a small open economy; export and imports of goods are at a comparable level, the balance of trade in services shows high surplus.

Gross domestic product (GDP) at current prices was 406.1 billion EUR in the year 2021, with a growth of 4.5% in that year; GDP per capita was at 45,370 EUR. The largest contribution to Austria’s GDP with more than two thirds comes from tertiary production (services), the rest is contributed mainly by secondary production (industry). Tourism has still a significant share in gross value added, which is recovering after the pandemic.

Austria has a dense transport infrastructure as regards both the road and railway network. The total length of the Austrian road network amounts to approximately 140,000 km, of which more than 2,200 km are high-ranking federal road connections (motorways). The railway network has a total length of about 5,600 km. Austria is the EU Member State with the highest per capita investments in rail infrastructure, exceeding the investment rates in road infrastructure. Austria also has a very well developed physical supply and disposal infrastructure. Close to 100% of the Austrian settlement area are connected to public supply infrastructures as regards e.g. electricity, drinking water, sewage disposal and treatment systems.
Observations and data are available for the last 250 years in the greater alpine region (HistAlp-Dataset). The longest temperature and air pressure series extend back to 1760, precipitation to 1800, cloudiness to the 1840s and sunshine to the 1880s in the alpine region.

Projections are available for the Alpine region for temperature, precipitation, heat, heavy precipitation and storms. Data collection and provision is located at the Central Institute for Meteorology and Geodynamics (ZAMG, since January 2023 named GeoSphere Austria) with meteorological stations measuring temperature, precipitation, wind, sunshine and many other meteorological parameters. New regional climate scenarios for Austria and its nine provincial states have been available since autumn 2016 (ÖKS15). The scenarios are based on 13 EURO-CORDEX models, a 12.5km x 12.5 km grid, and use two greenhouse gas scenarios. Factsheets for all nine federal states with more detailed information on projected climate elements and climate indices are available. Results are available via the Climate Change Centre Austria (CCCA) data portal (CCCA Data Centre, https://data.ccca.ac.at/group/oks15).

The ÖKS15 data provide comprehensive, high-resolution and error-corrected information on climate change on a homogeneous basis for entire Austria for the first time. Their analysis delivers climate projections until the end of the 21st century and provides good insights into the expected effects of climate change in Austria. The climate projections provide information for the near future (2021–2050) and for the distant future (2071–2100) compared to the 1971–2000 period.

The ÖKS15 projections are based on 13 regional climate models and two different greenhouse gas scenarios (RCP8.5 and RCP4.5). The use of these two greenhouse gas scenarios clearly shows that the climate future is in our own hands:
– Scenario RCP8.5 reflects “business as usual” – i.e. unchecked greenhouse gas emission, so that by 2100 there is a 3 times higher concentration than today.
– Scenario RCP4.5 shows a future in which, after 2040, global greenhouse gas emissions have successfully been reduced and by 2080 have diminished to about half today’s level. In order to fulfil the obligations of the world climate agreement, however, even the RCP4.5 path would still have to be significantly undercut.

The Austrian climate scenarios are currently being updated by 2026 (ÖKS26, https://klimaszenarien.at/). In parallel, the second Austrian Assessment Report on Climate Change (AAR2, https://aar2.ccca.ac.at/) is in progress and scheduled for publication in 2025.
The Austrias national weather service (GeoSphere Austria) runs one of the densest weather measuring networks in the world. The meteorological stations measure temperature, precipitation, wind, sunshine and many other meteorological parameters. They provide current and historical weather data, the longest continuous observations reach back to 1768. Checked data build the fundament for climate-relevant products and services, which are available to private persons, authorities and clients. GeoSphere Austria-internal climate research department evaluates these data scientifically. Daily updated climate monitoring diagrams allow a comparison of the actual weather with the climate on long-time average. Only through long-term and large-scale standardized and homogenized measurements can climate fluctuations be correctly recorded and climate extremes correctly classified.

Climate models are the most important tool for calculating possible climate developments under changed natural and anthropogenic framework conditions. The knowledge gained from climate simulations is used to create the basis for political decision-makers in order to be able to adapt to changing climatic conditions with targeted measures in the medium and long term.

Models will only ever be approximations of reality and can never take into account all influencing factors. Model calculations for the global climate – and (especially) for regional climates – thus involve high levels of uncertainty; in addition, feedback effects have not yet been considered. Uncertainty in the assumptions also rises as the scenarios project further into the future. Nevertheless, the various models clearly indicate a potential range of climatic changes to be expected. Within this range, appropriate adaptation measures are needed that allow flexible readjustments and take existing uncertainties into account.

Despite existing uncertainties, climate models and scenarios constitute a crucial basis for the understanding of climate change and its potential impacts. However, for judging the projections for concrete measures it will be essential in the future to differentiate among factors with varying levels of accuracy (e.g., estimated changes in air temperature are more reliable than estimates of changes in precipitation), and to show the whole spectrum of results.

Despite considerable scientific knowledge, the effects of climate change in many areas are still subject to uncertainty. A primary focus in the design of the national adaptation strategy was therefore the development of flexible and robust recommendations for action that can easily be adjusted to various requirements and bring secondary benefits. No-regrets and win-win measures are worthwhile in any case, as they provide further social, ecological, or economic benefits regardless of the extent to which climate change is accelerating.

The project CLIMAMAP (Climate Change Impact Maps for Austrian Regions Strategies for climate change adaptation exist on different levels) aimed at filling this gap by designing climate change impact maps (incl. communication of uncertainties). These maps support municipalities in understanding climate change impacts, in building capacities and in implementing adaptation measures. Co-developing the impact maps with the end-users ensures that information needs of municipalities are met.
Temperature in Austria has risen by nearly 2°C since 1880, more than double as much as the global increase of 0.85°C. The increase was strongest in the period after 1980, when an increase by 1°C has been observed. Annual sunshine duration has increased by about 20%.

All observed glaciers in Austria have clearly shown a reduction in surface area and in volume in the period since 1980. Duration of snow cover has been reduced in recent decades, especially in altitudes around 1,000 m above sea level. Precipitation change shows regional differences during the past 150 years: An increase by around 10–15 % has been observed in western Austria, a decrease of a comparable proportion in the south-east.

2022 was marked with unprecedented dryness and floods. Current climate scenarios do not allow for an assessment of the future trend for extreme events, like storms and hail, floods and landslides. Most of the sectors mentioned below, however, would exhibit considerable vulnerability to an increase of the frequency and intensity of extreme events.

Due to the currently foreseeable socio-economic development and climate change, the potential loss due to climate change in Austria will increase. A variety of factors determines the future costs of climate change. In addition to the possible change in the distribution of extreme events and gradual climate change, mainly socioeconomic and demographic factors will ultimately determine the damage and costs. These include, amongst others, the age structure of the population in urban areas, the value of exposed assets, the development of infrastructure for example in avalanche or landslide endangered areas, as well as overall land use, which largely control the vulnerability to climate change.
Hazard type Acute/Chronic Observed climate hazards
WaterAcuteDrought
Flood
Heavy precipitation
Snow and ice load
ChronicChanging precipitation patterns and types
Precipitation hydrological variability
Water scarcity
Solid massAcuteAvalanche
Landslide
ChronicSoil erosion
TemperatureAcuteCold wave frost
Heat wave
Wildfire
ChronicChanging temperature
Permafrost thawing
Temperature variability
WindAcuteStorm
Chronic
Hazard type Acute/Chronic Future climate hazards Qualitative trend
WaterAcuteDroughtsignificantly increasing
Floodsignificantly increasing
Heavy precipitationsignificantly increasing
Snow and ice loadevolution uncertain or unknown
ChronicChanging precipitation patterns and typessignificantly increasing
Precipitation hydrological variabilityevolution uncertain or unknown
Water scarcitysignificantly increasing
Solid massAcuteAvalanche Futureevolution uncertain or unknown
Landslide Futuresignificantly increasing
ChronicSoil erosionsignificantly increasing
TemperatureAcuteCold wave frostsignificantly decreasing
Heat wavesignificantly increasing
Wildfiresignificantly increasing
ChronicChanging temperaturesignificantly increasing
Permafrost thawingsignificantly increasing
Temperature variabilityevolution uncertain or unknown
WindAcuteStormwithout significant change
Chronic
Temperature in Austria has risen by nearly 2°C since 1880, more than double as much as the global increase of 0.85°C. The increase was strongest in the period after 1980, when an
increase by 1°C has been observed. Annual sunshine duration has increased by about 20%.

All observed glaciers in Austria have clearly shown a reduction in surface area and in volume in the period since 1980. Duration of snow cover has been reduced in recent decades, especially in altitudes around 1,000 m above sea level. Precipitation change shows regional differences during the past 150 years: An increase by around 10–15 % has been observed in western Austria, a decrease of a comparable proportion in the south-east.

2022 was marked with unprecedented dryness and floods. Current climate scenarios do not allow for an assessment of the future trend for extreme events, like storms and hail, floods and landslides. Most of the sectors mentioned below, however, would exhibit considerable vulnerability to an increase of the frequency and intensity of extreme events.

Due to the currently foreseeable socio-economic development and climate change, the potential loss due to climate change in Austria will increase. A variety of factors determines the future costs of climate change. In addition to the possible change in the distribution of extreme events and gradual climate change, mainly socioeconomic and demographic factors will ultimately determine the damage and costs. These include, amongst others, the age structure of the population in urban areas, the value of exposed assets, the development of infrastructure for example in avalanche or landslide endangered areas, as well as overall land use, which largely control the vulnerability to climate change.

Key affected sectors

Key affected sector(s)civil protection and emergency management
Rating of the observed impacts of key hazards, including changes in frequency and magnitudemedium
Different rating of the observed impacts of key hazardsdifferent geographical regions within the country; different key hazards
AssessmentNatural hazards impact diverse sectors mentioned.
Rating of the key hazards' likelihood of occurrence and exposure to them under future climatemedium
Different rating of the likelihood of the occurrence of key hazards and exposure to them under future climatedifferent climate change scenarios; different geographical regions within the country; different key hazards
Rating of the vulnerability, including adaptive capacitymedium
Different rating of the vulnerability and/or adaptive capacitydifferent geographical regions within the country; different key hazards
AssessmentCurrent climate scenarios do not allow for an assessment of the future trend for extreme events, like storms and hail, floods and landslides. Most of the sectors mentioned, however, would exhibit considerable vulnerability to an increase of the frequency and intensity of extreme events.
Rating for the risk of potential future impactsmedium
Different rating of the risk of potential future impactsdifferent climate change scenarios; different geographical regions within the country; different key hazards
AssessmentCurrent climate scenarios do not allow for an assessment of the future trend for extreme events, like storms and hail, floods and landslides. Most of the sectors mentioned, however, would exhibit considerable vulnerability to an increase of the frequency and intensity of extreme events.
Key affected sector(s)agriculture and food
Rating of the observed impacts of key hazards, including changes in frequency and magnitudemedium
Different rating of the observed impacts of key hazardsdifferent key hazards
AssessmentAgriculture and forestry are strongly dependent on meteorological and climatic factors and are assessed as sectors with high vulnerability.
Rating of the key hazards' likelihood of occurrence and exposure to them under future climatemedium
Different rating of the likelihood of the occurrence of key hazards and exposure to them under future climatedifferent climate change scenarios; different geographical regions within the country; different key hazards
Rating of the vulnerability, including adaptive capacitymedium
Different rating of the vulnerability and/or adaptive capacitydifferent geographical regions within the country; different key hazards
AssessmentThere is considerable regional variability of vulnerability.
Rating for the risk of potential future impactsmedium
Different rating of the risk of potential future impactsdifferent climate change scenarios; different geographical regions within the country; different key hazards
AssessmentHeat stress, reduced water supply due to changing precipitation patterns, new invasive species and pathogens may affect crop production and grassland as well as animal husbandry.
Key affected sector(s)forestry
Rating of the observed impacts of key hazards, including changes in frequency and magnitudemedium
Different rating of the observed impacts of key hazardsdifferent geographical regions within the country; different key hazards
AssessmentForestry is strongly dependent on meteorological and climatic factors and are assessed as sectors with high vulnerability.
Rating of the key hazards' likelihood of occurrence and exposure to them under future climatemedium
Different rating of the likelihood of the occurrence of key hazards and exposure to them under future climatedifferent climate change scenarios; different geographical regions within the country; different key hazards
Rating of the vulnerability, including adaptive capacitymedium
Different rating of the vulnerability and/or adaptive capacitydifferent geographical regions within the country; different key hazards
AssessmentForestry is strongly dependent on meteorological and climatic factors and are assessed as sectors with high vulnerability.
Rating for the risk of potential future impactsmedium
Different rating of the risk of potential future impactsdifferent climate change scenarios; different geographical regions within the country; different key hazards
AssessmentHeat stress, reduced water supply due to changing precipitation patterns, new invasive species and pathogens may affect crop production and grassland as well as animal husbandry. In forestry the changes may be faster than the lifecycle of trees and common tree species may not be fit for changed circumstances. Forest fires due to longer periods with reduced precipitation have to be seen as additional risk in this sector.
Key affected sector(s)water management
Rating of the observed impacts of key hazards, including changes in frequency and magnitudemedium
Different rating of the observed impacts of key hazardsdifferent geographical regions within the country; different key hazards
AssessmentVulnerability with respect to water resources and water management exhibits strong regional variability.
Rating of the key hazards' likelihood of occurrence and exposure to them under future climatemedium
Different rating of the likelihood of the occurrence of key hazards and exposure to them under future climatedifferent climate change scenarios; different geographical regions within the country; different key hazards
Rating of the vulnerability, including adaptive capacitymedium
Different rating of the vulnerability and/or adaptive capacitydifferent geographical regions within the country; different key hazards
AssessmentVulnerability with respect to water resources and water management exhibits strong regional variability.
Rating for the risk of potential future impactsmedium
Different rating of the risk of potential future impactsdifferent climate change scenarios; different geographical regions within the country; different key hazards
AssessmentIncrease in precipitation and runoff in winter and decrease in summer is expected for some regions and may have impacts on shipping, quality of water bodies and aquatic biocenoses, the latter also being affected by increasing water temperature. In southern and eastern Austria, a decrease in groundwater recharge is likely. On a small scale, existing bottlenecks in water supply in areas with unfavourable water resources could worsen. Seasonal changes of precipitation patterns and earlier melting of snow may shift the risk of flooding into spring and winter in northern Austria, but there is high uncertainty regarding this topic.
Key affected sector(s)tourism
Rating of the observed impacts of key hazards, including changes in frequency and magnitudemedium
Different rating of the observed impacts of key hazardsdifferent geographical regions within the country; different key hazards
AssessmentTourism is assessed to have high to low vulnerability.
Rating of the key hazards' likelihood of occurrence and exposure to them under future climatemedium
Different rating of the likelihood of the occurrence of key hazards and exposure to them under future climatedifferent climate change scenarios; different geographical regions within the country; different key hazards
Rating of the vulnerability, including adaptive capacitymedium
Different rating of the vulnerability and/or adaptive capacitydifferent geographical regions within the country; different key hazards
AssessmentTourism is assessed to have high to low vulnerability.
Rating for the risk of potential future impactsmedium
Different rating of the risk of potential future impactsdifferent climate change scenarios; different geographical regions within the country; different key hazards
AssessmentDepending on the region, winter snow cover may be considerably reduced, resulting in considerable losses in winter tourism. Low vulnerability is assumed for summer tourism as well as city tourism and health and spa tourism, which may benefit from increasing air and water temperatures, less rainfall in summer and an extended summer season on the one hand but which bear risks from worsening water quality of warmer lakes, heat waves in cities and lower diversity in the natural scenery (biodiversity, glacier retreat) on the other hand.
Key affected sector(s)energy
Rating of the observed impacts of key hazards, including changes in frequency and magnitudemedium
Different rating of the observed impacts of key hazardsdifferent geographical regions within the country; different key hazards
AssessmentIn the energy sector vulnerability is expected to be low for space heating because of decreasing energy demand of buildings and decreasing heating degree days. High vulnerability is expected for cooling of buildings, as cooling degree days will increase and periods of high electricity demand for cooling may coincide with unfavourable conditions for electricity production.
Rating of the key hazards' likelihood of occurrence and exposure to them under future climatemedium
Different rating of the likelihood of the occurrence of key hazards and exposure to them under future climatedifferent climate change scenarios; different geographical regions within the country; different key hazards
Rating of the vulnerability, including adaptive capacitymedium
Different rating of the vulnerability and/or adaptive capacitydifferent geographical regions within the country; different key hazards
AssessmentIn the energy sector vulnerability is expected to be low for space heating because of decreasing energy demand of buildings and decreasing heating degree days. High vulnerability is expected for cooling of buildings, as cooling degree days will increase and periods of high electricity demand for cooling may coincide with unfavourable conditions for electricity production.
Rating for the risk of potential future impactsmedium
Different rating of the risk of potential future impactsdifferent climate change scenarios; different geographical regions within the country; different key hazards
AssessmentElectricity production by thermal power plants are assessed as vulnerable, because increasing temperatures of ambient air and cooling water deteriorate efficiency and availability of thermal plants. Run-of-river power plants may be affected by seasonal changes in runoff, but current data does not allow for a reliable estimate of vulnerability. Supply of renewable energy sources is heavily influenced by climatic conditions; especially production of forest biomass is expected to be highly vulnerable in some regions.
Key affected sector(s)buildings; urban
Rating of the observed impacts of key hazards, including changes in frequency and magnitudemedium
Different rating of the observed impacts of key hazardsdifferent geographical regions within the country; different key hazards
AssessmentExisting buildings are – regionally different – highly vulnerable to e.g. heat waves in urban areas, to more frequent events of heavy rain, to increased snow loads, to increasing frequency of local-scale floods as well as avalanches and landslides.
Rating of the key hazards' likelihood of occurrence and exposure to them under future climatemedium
Different rating of the likelihood of the occurrence of key hazards and exposure to them under future climatedifferent climate change scenarios; different geographical regions within the country; different key hazards
Rating of the vulnerability, including adaptive capacitymedium
Different rating of the vulnerability and/or adaptive capacitydifferent geographical regions within the country; different key hazards
AssessmentSome of these risks may be minimised by renovation measures and most risks may be avoided for the construction of new buildings.
Rating for the risk of potential future impactsmedium
Different rating of the risk of potential future impactsdifferent climate change scenarios; different geographical regions within the country; different key hazards
AssessmentIn construction and housing, existing buildings are – regionally different – highly vulnerable to e.g. heat waves in urban areas, to more frequent events of heavy rain, to increased snow loads, to increasing frequency of local-scale floods as well as avalanches and landslides.
Key affected sector(s)health
Rating of the observed impacts of key hazards, including changes in frequency and magnitudemedium
Different rating of the observed impacts of key hazardsdifferent geographical regions within the country; different key hazards
AssessmentDifferent grades of vulnerability can be found concerning human health.
Rating of the key hazards' likelihood of occurrence and exposure to them under future climatemedium
Different rating of the likelihood of the occurrence of key hazards and exposure to them under future climatedifferent climate change scenarios; different geographical regions within the country; different key hazards
Rating of the vulnerability, including adaptive capacitymedium
Different rating of the vulnerability and/or adaptive capacitydifferent geographical regions within the country; different key hazards
AssessmentDifferent grades of vulnerability can be found concerning human health. Vulnerability to heat stress is high for children, elder people and people with heart diseases and lower for the rest of the population. Vulnerability to increasing levels of ground-level ozone and increasing UV-radiation is high for sensible parts of the population but moderate for the general population.
Rating for the risk of potential future impactsmedium
Different rating of the risk of potential future impactsdifferent climate change scenarios; different geographical regions within the country; different key hazards
AssessmentChanged climatic conditions may be favourable for the spread of pathogens, vectors and allergic plants, which poses a risk for population in general.
Key affected sector(s)biodiversity (including ecosystembased approaches)
Rating of the observed impacts of key hazards, including changes in frequency and magnitudehigh
Different rating of the observed impacts of key hazardsdifferent geographical regions within the country; different key hazards
AssessmentEcosystems and biodiversity are assessed to by highly vulnerable to the expected changes, like increasing temperature and changed precipitation patterns. Especially regions with a high share of endemic species like alpine regions must be seen as highly vulnerable.
Rating of the key hazards' likelihood of occurrence and exposure to them under future climatehigh
Different rating of the likelihood of the occurrence of key hazards and exposure to them under future climatedifferent climate change scenarios; different geographical regions within the country; different key hazards
Rating of the vulnerability, including adaptive capacitymedium
Different rating of the vulnerability and/or adaptive capacitydifferent geographical regions within the country; different key hazards
AssessmentEcosystems and biodiversity are assessed to by highly vulnerable to the expected changes, like increasing temperature and changed precipitation patterns. Especially regions with a high share of endemic species like alpine regions must be seen as highly vulnerable.
Rating for the risk of potential future impactshigh
Different rating of the risk of potential future impactsdifferent climate change scenarios; different geographical regions within the country; different key hazards
AssessmentChanges in species composition, spread of alien species and loss of habitats and species must be expected.
Key affected sector(s)other; transport
Rating of the observed impacts of key hazards, including changes in frequency and magnitudemedium
Different rating of the observed impacts of key hazardsdifferent geographical regions within the country; different key hazards
AssessmentVulnerability is expected to be high for transportation infrastructure in some regions.
Rating of the key hazards' likelihood of occurrence and exposure to them under future climatehigh
Different rating of the likelihood of the occurrence of key hazards and exposure to them under future climatedifferent climate change scenarios; different geographical regions within the country; different key hazards
Rating of the vulnerability, including adaptive capacityhigh
Different rating of the vulnerability and/or adaptive capacitydifferent geographical regions within the country; different key hazards
AssessmentVulnerability is expected to be high for transportation infrastructure in some regions.
Rating for the risk of potential future impactsmedium
Different rating of the risk of potential future impactsdifferent climate change scenarios; different geographical regions within the country; different key hazards
AssessmentIncrease in the amount of snow at elevations above 1800 m, potentially accompanied by a higher risk of avalanches in certain regions, and thawing of permafrost, resulting in rock-fall and land-slides, may affect infrastructure in higher regions. Heavy precipitation on local level can result in drainage system overloads and the flooding of underpasses as well as in increasing risk of landslides and mud flows; erosion and washouts can threaten the stability of railroad embankments and road beds. Increased heat stress can result in damage to materials and structures, as well as the deformation of pavement and rail infrastructure.
Key affected sector(s)business; industry; other
Rating of the observed impacts of key hazards, including changes in frequency and magnitudemedium
Different rating of the observed impacts of key hazardsdifferent geographical regions within the country; different key hazards
AssessmentFor industry and trade vulnerability in general is assessed to be moderate.
Rating of the key hazards' likelihood of occurrence and exposure to them under future climatemedium
Different rating of the likelihood of the occurrence of key hazards and exposure to them under future climatedifferent climate change scenarios; different geographical regions within the country; different key hazards
Rating of the vulnerability, including adaptive capacitymedium
Different rating of the vulnerability and/or adaptive capacitydifferent geographical regions within the country; different key hazards
AssessmentFor industry and trade vulnerability in general is assessed to be moderate.
Rating for the risk of potential future impactsmedium
Different rating of the risk of potential future impactsdifferent climate change scenarios; different geographical regions within the country; different key hazards
AssessmentHigher temperatures and heat waves increase the cooling requirements for the storage and transport of various products and affect working conditions. Decrease in the availability of cooling water can affect cooling-intensive production as well as power generation. Potential changes in the availability of raw materials and intermediate products due to changes in temperature and precipitation conditions can have an impact on the entire value chain. Through globalisation, both the supply for production in Austria and the sales of Austrian products will be influenced by climate effects in other regions of the world.
Key affected sector(s)other; urban
Rating of the observed impacts of key hazards, including changes in frequency and magnitudemedium
Different rating of the observed impacts of key hazardsdifferent geographical regions within the country; different key hazards
AssessmentIn cities, poor people and those at risk of poverty often live in areas exposed to heavy traffic noise and high levels of particulate pollution, and generally have little access to green spaces or recreation areas.
Rating of the key hazards' likelihood of occurrence and exposure to them under future climatemedium
Different rating of the likelihood of the occurrence of key hazards and exposure to them under future climatedifferent climate change scenarios; different geographical regions within the country; different key hazards
Rating of the vulnerability, including adaptive capacitymedium
Different rating of the vulnerability and/or adaptive capacitydifferent geographical regions within the country; different key hazards
AssessmentThe effects of climate change (such as heat waves, drought, and heavy rainfall) will represent an additional burden and could affect the health of the population. Presumably most affected will be those with neither the knowledge nor the financial resources for taking precautions. The hardest hit will be those low-income households that already spend more than 10% of their income on heating. In future, these will be even less able to finance cooling, even if heating demand and thus heating costs will – to some extent – decline.
Rating for the risk of potential future impactsmedium
Different rating of the risk of potential future impactsdifferent climate change scenarios; different geographical regions within the country; different key hazards
AssessmentThe potential of a community and the population living there to respond to climate-induced changes is determined not only by available technologies and resources but to a high degree by existing human and social capital as well. People and their cohesion are the most important asset of every community
Key affected sector(s)other
Rating of the observed impacts of key hazards, including changes in frequency and magnitudemedium
Different rating of the observed impacts of key hazardsdifferent geographical regions within the country; different key hazards
AssessmentNatural hazards impact diverse sectors mentioned.
Rating of the key hazards' likelihood of occurrence and exposure to them under future climatemedium
Different rating of the likelihood of the occurrence of key hazards and exposure to them under future climatedifferent climate change scenarios; different geographical regions within the country; different key hazards
Rating of the vulnerability, including adaptive capacitymedium
Different rating of the vulnerability and/or adaptive capacitydifferent geographical regions within the country; different key hazards
AssessmentCurrent climate scenarios do not allow for an assessment of the future trend for extreme events, like storms and hail, floods and landslides. Most of the sectors mentioned, however, would exhibit considerable vulnerability to an increase of the frequency and intensity of extreme events.
Rating for the risk of potential future impactsmedium
Different rating of the risk of potential future impactsdifferent climate change scenarios; different geographical regions within the country; different key hazards
AssessmentCurrent climate scenarios do not allow for an assessment of the future trend for extreme events, like storms and hail, floods and landslides. Most of the sectors mentioned, however, would exhibit considerable vulnerability to an increase of the frequency and intensity of extreme events.
Key affected sector(s)land use planning; other
Rating of the observed impacts of key hazards, including changes in frequency and magnitudemedium
Different rating of the observed impacts of key hazardsdifferent geographical regions within the country; different key hazards
AssessmentNot possible due to cross-cutting nature.
Rating of the key hazards' likelihood of occurrence and exposure to them under future climatemedium
Different rating of the likelihood of the occurrence of key hazards and exposure to them under future climatedifferent climate change scenarios; different geographical regions within the country; different key hazards
Rating of the vulnerability, including adaptive capacitymedium
Different rating of the vulnerability and/or adaptive capacitydifferent geographical regions within the country; different key hazards
AssessmentNot possible due to cross-cutting nature.
Rating for the risk of potential future impactsmedium
Different rating of the risk of potential future impactsdifferent climate change scenarios; different geographical regions within the country; different key hazards
AssessmentNot possible due to cross-cutting nature.

Overview of institutional arrangements and governance at the national level

Both national policy documents – NAS and NAP – are based on comprehensive meta-analysis of latest scientific knowledge available for the Austrian context. Many of these scientific projects are financed by the Austrian Climate Research Programme (ACRP) of the Climate and Energy Fund and StartClim, two important climate research programs providing more than 5 Mio Euro of funding each year. Further studies and assessments commissioned by sector departments of Austrian ministries are taken into account, as relevant. Important knowledge resources and their research environment are reported therein.

To shed light on the expected impacts of climate change on extreme events caused by alpine natural hazards, a comprehensive assessment report presenting the state-of-the-art knowledge was published on behalf of the Ministry responsible for natural hazard management (BMLRT) in 2020 (ExtremA 2019; Glade et al. 2020).
The Federal Ministry for Climate Action (BMK) is in charge of coordinating adaptation policy in Austria. The Environment Agency Austria (EAA) regularly acts as a semi-public support unit providing expertise and policy support along all stages of the policy cycle to the BMK, the Climate and Energy Fund as well as the provinces. EAA is a “bridging” or “boundary organisation” that is deeply involved in knowledge generation and capacity-building as well as in practice-related decision support (manual, work aids, etc.) for stakeholders, linking science, administration and policy-making.

Since 2017, the National Climate Committee (NKK) includes questions of adaptation in its principal debate on national climate policies, in light of the long-term goals of the Paris Agreement. The NKK is the highest-ranking national coordination body for climate policies. Important semi-formal bodies for vertical cooperation are the Conference of Provincial Environmental Ministers (LURK), whose resolutions in recent years have paved the way for stronger cooperation between the Federal government and the Provinces on adaptation to climate change. In addition, a Conference of Provincial Climate Ministers (LKRK), covering both mitigation and adaptation, was established in recent years. The nine climate coordinators of the Provinces are the main agents of vertical coordination and cooperation to-wards national as well as regional and local levels, and are in charge of horizontal coordination within the Provincial governments and administrations.

Regarding implementation, the Austrian NAS and NAP provides concrete recommendations in the 14 areas for action. Potential conflicts and time horizons for implementation are included for each recommendation and measure in the corresponding Action Plan. A lot of effort is being made to ensure best possible cooperation between all actors concerned. In terms of provision of resources, the following premises apply for the implementation of the Austrian NAS and NAP:
? The implementation of the recommendations must be achieved within the existing jurisdictions of all governmental authorities (federal, provincial states, local);
? All recommendations listed in the Austrian NAP are to be covered by the resources available in the applicable financial frameworks of the public sector (federal, provincial states, local);
? The costs of implementing the recommendations are to be covered by prioritization and shifting within the available budget.

Often, implementation of the recommendations requires the cooperation of various actors in the public sector (federal, provincial states, local) and the private sector. To ensure fair burden-sharing, cooperation within the public sector and between the public and private sectors is encouraged.

The results from the first (2015) and second progress report (2021) give a broad picture of the state of implementation and of key adaptation trends in Austria.
In Austria, an EIA ‘climate-fit portal’ (UVPklimafit Infoportal) was created to support project developers, consultants and competent authorities with knowledge on the impacts of climate change on different infrastructure types and environmental issues. The portal helps to anticipate the consequences of climate change in the design and development of major infrastructure projects (often subject to EIA). By adapting projects to the consequences of climate change, subsequent costs and negative effects on people, society and the environment can be reduced. The EIA ‘climate-fit portal’ is also recommended to project developers in the EIA guidance document.
Disaster management is well reflected in the NAS and NAP with the objective of a “rapid and professional management of disasters through better networking and preparation of all actors involved, especially with regard to changing climatic conditions”.

Due to uncertainties in predicting the impacts of climate change on floods and natural hazard processes, up to now climate scenarios have not been used explicitly in calculating hazard maps of the federal water engineering service and the federal torrent and avalanche control service of the Federal Ministry (BML). However, they are increasingly taking climate change impacts and adaptation needs into account in their strategic planning and prevention measures. Especially the second flood risk management plan (2021) reflects on changes in pluvial and fluvial flood risk due to climate change.
For Austria, the ÖKS15 data provide comprehensive, high-resolution and error-corrected data and information on climate change and is publicly available at the online data portal of the CCCA. Based on ÖKS15 climate scenario data, regional climate change and impact fact sheets have been produced for all climate adaptation model regions of the KLAR! funding programme, and fine-scaled climate scenarios are available for Austrian municipalities on demand. Regional climate impact maps generated on the basis of the ÖKS15 climate modelling data are provided at no cost to the user community at the CCCA data portal.
The causal fight against climate change, i.e., the further reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, is of utmost importance. A critical element of prevention in the coming years is thus the achievement of climate change mitigation objectives.

Areas for action of the NAS/NAP have not been prioritised, but possible criteria for prioritisation are identified in the NAS. In general, measures that provide benefits independent of climate change (“win-win”) or measures that entail no disadvantages in case the actual climate trends do not correspond to projections (“no-regret”) should be prioritised, as well as flexible measures.
The planning and implementation of adaptation strategies is a dynamic process that must allow for flexible adjustment to new conditions (e.g., further consequences of climate change, new research results). Adaptation to climate change is a complex task characterized by a wide range of challenges.

Finding a proper way of dealing with uncertainties is undoubtedly a key challenge for the planning and implementation of any adaptation measure.

Another challenge in adaptation results from the fact that adaptation is a classic cross-cutting issues: a multitude of areas for action (e.g., infrastructure, energy supply, water management, and protection from natural hazards) and stakeholders from various fields all are part of this complex system. In addition, different levels and areas of responsibility are affected by actions on adaptation, from public administration agencies (local up to national) to various economic sectors to individual people.

The third challenge arises from the inevitably close relationship between mitigation and adaptation; the two issues should thus be considered together. Adaptation cannot replace mitigation. Successful mitigation contributes to reduction of the costs of adaptation.
In Austria, a national adaptation strategy (NAS) was adopted on 23rd October 2012 by the Council of Ministers and endorsed by the Provincial Governors’ Conference on 16th May 2013. The current NAS was revised and published in 2017. The next NAS revision will be finalised and published approximately in autumn 2023.

The Austrian NAS consists of two parts: a Strategic Framework (or “Context”) and an Action Plan (BMNT, formerly BMLFUW (2017)). The Austrian Strategy for Adaptation to Climate Change. Part 1 – Context and Part 2 – Action plan. Available in English at: https://www.bmk.gv.at/[…]/austrian-strategy-adaptaion.html

The objective of the Austrian Adaptation Strategy is to avoiding adverse effects of climate change on the environment, society and economy, and to take advantage of opportunities, which may arise. The adaptation strategy aims at strengthening the natural, social and technical capacity to adapt. Adaptation measures should thus involve no social downsides; rather, they should minimize risks to democracy, health, security, and social justice. Another key objective is to increase awareness at all levels in order to sensitize actors and make the complex issue of adaptation to climate change more tangible. Another important objective is to identify linkages between the areas of action and related recommendations, in order to avoid negative impacts in other areas and possible conflicts in the implementation process. Adaptation activities that conflict with other key objectives – such as environmental protection or climate change mitigation – or that disadvantage social groups should also be precluded.

A national adaptation plan (NAP) was adopted in 2012 (as part of the NAS) and first revised in 2016 (and approved together with the revised NAS in 2017). The next NAP revision (together with the NAS) will be finalized and published approximately in autumn 2023. The current NAP presents a catalogue of 135 adaptation options for 14 sector-related fields of action. These fields are: agriculture, forestry, water resources and water management, tourism, energy (with a focus on the electricity industry), protection from natural hazards, construction and housing, disaster risk management, health, ecosystems and biodiversity, transportation infrastructure and selected aspects of mobility, spatial planning, business/industry/trade, and cities (with a focus on urban green and open spaces).

Each measure described follows the same structure: Content items elaborated for each recommendation – Goal – Relevance – Relation to other activity fields – Relation to existing instruments – Status of implementation – Recommended further steps – Possible resource needs – Conflict potentials – Implementing actors – and time horizon.

The costs of implementing the recommendations are to be covered by prioritization and shifting within the available budget. The research project PACINAS analyzed in particular by means of case studies the costs and benefits for public sector budgets. The top-­down analysis of the federal budget finds that the estimated annual adaptation-­relevant expenditures amount to at least € 2.1 billion currently. The share that can be explicitly attributed as adaptation is estimated at € 488 million. It is stressed that this only considers federal costs and is therefore a sub-­total of all relevant expenditures: it excludes state and municipal expenditures and all costs in the private and household sectors. These adaptation costs are 8% of the investigated budget positions (the three SDs) and 0.65% of the total federal budget in 2014. When the annual costs of the Austrian disaster fund are added (some expenditures thereof are already covered in the top-­down approach), the adaptation and damage costs rise to € 886 million, which is 1.2% of the total federal budget. The alternative bottom­-up approach using expert elicitation has estimated that the current cost of the Austrian strategy for adaptation – for the areas relevant for the federal government ­ is € 358 million annually.

The difference between the top­-down and bottom-­up approaches results from the varying coverage: while the top­-down approach covers all adaptation activities that are currently implemented by the federal budget, the bottom-­up approach only accounts for those activities that are part of the Austrian strategy for adaptation to climate change.
The integration of adaptation into sectoral policies and programmes (“mainstreaming”) is increasing with practical examples in agriculture, forestry, biodiversity, health, water management and natural hazard management. Climate adaptation is addressed in the amendment to the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Law in Austria in 2018. The guidance documents for conducting EIA Reports were revised in 2021 to comply with the requirements of the amended EIA Directive.

Disaster risk management is well reflected in the NAS and NAP with the objective of a “rapid and professional management of disasters through better networking and preparation of all actors involved, especially with regard to changing climatic conditions”. The activities cover e.g.:
• Continuous implementation of the objectives of the States Crisis and Catastrophe Management (SCCM) Strategy 2020, with greater consideration of the effects of climate change,
• Establishment of a national risk reduction platform,
• Preservation and, if necessary, improvement of the conditions for volunteering in the field of disaster management,
• Increasing the flexibility of financing and funding instruments in the field of disaster management,
• Risk communication as a contribution to strengthening individual provision in the area of disaster management,
• Increase in training offers in the field of disaster management,
• Continuation of the national risk analysis and development of a uniform methodology for carrying out risk analyses,
• Promoting participative approaches to the integration of all players in disaster management, and
• Continuation and networking of research activities and development of innovations related to disaster management.

Due to uncertainties in predicting the impacts of climate change on floods and natural hazard processes, up to now, climate scenarios have not been explicitly used in calculating hazard maps of the federal water engineering service and the federal torrent and avalanche control service of the Federal Ministry (BMLRT). However, they are increasingly taking climate change impacts and adaptation needs into account as regards their strategic planning and prevention measures. For instance, a comprehensive scientific assessment report on extreme events caused by climate-induced alpine natural hazard processes was published in 2020 (ExtremA 2019; Glade et al. 2020), thus creating a state-of-the-art knowledge base for adaptive risk management regimes.
The NAP is implemented in collaboration with a wide range of fellow federal ministries, regional government actors and sector stakeholders from the public and private sector. The National Climate Protection Committee is the relevant institutional body, set up by law, to provide vertical (and sectoral) coordination of adaptation and mitigation measures. Furthermore, the Environment Agency Austria (EAA) fulfilled an important role as a semi-public support unit regarding several strands of activities throughout the entire NAS/NAP process. This support included the provision of technical expertise (as author, contributor or coordinator of preparatory expert studies), the drafting and editing of the first policy paper in cooperation with the ministry, and implementation of various information activities towards the public. A broad participatory process conducted by the EAA was accompanying the strategy development from summer 2008 until summer 2011. All results gained from the participatory process are considered in the development of the NAS/NAP.

Representatives of the provinces and further relevant stakeholders (including scientists and representatives from other Federal Ministries) have also been involved in the establishment of a Monitoring & Evaluation system in Austria. The approach chosen (stakeholder survey and data collection) also ensures ongoing interaction across governance levels and sectors. Diverse participatory elements were used for the revision of the NAP/NAS in 2016 and 2017 as well as for the 2nd Progress Report during 2019 and 2020.

Given the holistic and cross-sectoral nature of adaptation action, there is a need for horizontal coordination in the implementation phase as well.

In recent years, a number of country-wide implementation initiatives has been launched to support implementation of the NAS/NAP and of state-level adaptation strategies in Austrian regions and municipalities. These initiatives are mostly initiated and financed by the federal level (Ministry of Climate Action, Climate and Energy Fund) and usually implemented in a multi-level governance approach.

In 2016, the KLAR! programme for Climate Adaptation Model Regions has been launched to support Austrian regions and municipalities in preparing for climate change by implementing adaptation measures in a structured way. This Europe-wide unique climate adaptation funding programme is financed by the Climate and Energy Fund and has been initiated in cooperation with the Federal Ministry for Environment (now Ministry for Climate Action – BMK). The programme requires the instalment of a climate adaptation manager (KAM) in each model region and development of a detailed regional adaptation concept including a minimum of 10 concrete adaptation measures (soft/smart, green, grey, hybrid) on local and regional level. In general, manpower, awareness-raising measures and model region coordinators are grant-aided, while 25 % co-financing by municipalities is obligatory. Each model region is composed of a minimum of two municipalities. The programme cycle is structured in four phases: i) submitting draft adaptation concept (funding application); ii) elaborating detailed adaptation concept, awareness-raising and agenda setting in the regions; iii) implementation of adaptation measures according to the concept, monitoring and evaluation; and iv) re-adjustment of measures, dissemination of best practices, and continuation. In the continuation phase, existing model regions can apply for new funding for additional measures.

A service platform operated by the Environment Agency Austria supports the model regions with specific information packages, direct counselling and via organizing regular peer-group learning and networking meetings of all regions.Model regions have to consider the NAS and the relevant RAS in their activities, and they are required to coordinate their concepts and actions with the climate coordinator of the respective state. Therewith, it shall be ensured that activities in model regions are coherent with public adaptation policies and contribute directly or indirectly to their implementation. A reporting and monitoring system is in place to evaluate progress in implementation and effectiveness of adaptation actions.

Currently 79 model regions are active in planning and implementing adaptation measures, addressing a broad range of climate impacts and sectors. Altogether, at present the model regions encompass 651 municipalities with a total population of around 1.86 million inhabitants, covering a wide range of Austrian climatic conditions and most Austrian federal states. A further call for new model regions was open until End of January 2023.

As part of a supportive governance framework, further multi-level implementation initiatives have been established to support awareness-raising, agenda-setting, capacity-building and implementation of adaptation at regional and local level. A selection of respective efforts is listed below:

Dialogue events: A series of more than 30 multi-purpose face-to-face events with different stakeholder groups has been conducted from 2014 onwards. Designed as interactive dialogue formats, these events fulfilled important communication, agenda-setting, capacity-building and coordination functions. The foci of target groups so far was on state administrations (2014/2015), regional stakeholders (2016/2017), sector-specific actors, (2018/2019) and on the networking of adaptation initiatives and their actors (2020/2021). New Dialogue Events will start in spring 2023 till spring 2024.

Adaptation advisory services for municipalities: Jointly financed by the former Federal Ministry for Environment, now Ministry for Climate Action (BMK) and the federal state governments, a series of training programmes for qualifying local adaptation advisors have been implemented from 2017 onwards. An additional training of climate change adaptation advisors took place in autumn 2020.

Preparedness check “Natural hazards under climate change” for municipalities: Developed by a cross-sectoral and multi-level working group of the federal and state governments (2017-2018), the ‘natural hazards check’ is both a policy counselling tool and a governance model to strengthen the risk preparedness of municipalities. It covers a broad range of climate-driven natural hazards and meteorological/climatic extreme events and is applied by specifically trained experts together with municipal decision makers during on-site visits. Implementation of the tool has been launched from 2019 onwards.

Information provision, guidance and decision support: Covering both print products and online resources, a portfolio of knowledge resources, capacity-building tools, guidance documents and work aids for decision makers and stakeholders at different government levels are being provided on behalf of the responsible Ministry, the Climate and Energy Funds and research projects. E.g. Creation of Information materials ("Climate Change - What To Do?" (2014), "Our Communities in Climate Change – Good Practice Brochure" (2016), "Why we have to adapt to the consequences of climate change" (2018), "Misconceptions About Climate Change"(2018),

Socially weaker groups are generally more exposed to the effects of climate change. In most cases, various factors (low income, low education, low social capital, precarious work and housing conditions, unemployment, limited room for maneuver) combine to make underprivileged groups more vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Different social groups have different levels of ability to adapt and are more affected by climate policy measures, such as taxes and charges on energy (APCC 2014). People with disabilities are also faced with new challenges, which require appropriate provision in, for example, civil catastrophes.

In addition, comprehensive demographic changes are expected. Changes in population size, age distribution, number of single-person households, or other demographic characteristics have implications for handling the environment, but also for specific needs (e.g., increase in heat sensitivity with increasing age). Demographic changes thus also have consequences for the planning and implementation of climate change adaptation measures.

It can be assumed that the following Austrian population groups will be particularly affected by climate change and by potential adaptation measures due to their location and/or socio-economic situation:
• People at risk of poverty or marginalization;
• Chronically ill people, people with poor health (among other things during hot spells or vector-transmitted sicknesses);
• Children;
• The elderly;
• People living in areas threatened by natural hazards;
• People living in areas increasingly subject to heat waves;
• People who are occupationally exposed to extreme weather conditions;
• People whose income may be at least temporarily threatened by the effects of climate change.

The NAS support the avoidance of maladaptation (see https://www.bmk.gv.at/[…]/aber-richtig.html#vermeidung-von-fehlanpassung) thus measures must not lead to an unfair distribution of costs and benefits between social groups, or disproportionately burden vulnerable groups or disadvantaged regions.

The research project - CCCapMig: Risk awareness and personal provision of migrants in Austria – conducted surveys of experts and citizens in Triestingtal (Lower Austria) and in Steyr-Kirchdorf (Upper Austria). The focus was on how migrants deal with natural hazards and climate change in rural areas. The central result was that the risk awareness of new citizens who still have few local contacts is particularly low. In places where floods occur repeatedly and the community is regularly informed, there is a higher level of risk awareness. In terms of personal provision, there were hardly any differences between the long-term resident population, newcomers
The NAP drafting process was characterized by the extensive and active involvement of representatives from the federal ministries, the provincial states (Länder), interest groups, stakeholders, NGOs, and other institutions (including private sector companies, such as from the insurance industry). The process was organized along several, closely interlinked lines of work and employed different levels of participation, encompassing information, consultation and the active influence of stakeholders on decision-making in terms of joint strategy drafting. Over the duration of more than two years, a broad national stakeholder participation process involving 106 institutions, 670 persons and 16 workshops has been conducted. Under the overall political responsibility of the climate policy coordination unit of the Federal Ministry, the Environment Agency Austria (EAA) was actively involved in various aspects of strategy development; among other things, it organized the national participation process.

Selection of actions and (programmes of) measures

Description
Protection of built-up areas and infrastructure from natural hazards, taking changes in the potentials of natural hazards due to climate change into account;

Reservation of areas threatened by natural hazards by banning construction and land uses involving high damage potential;

Ensuring proactive hazard prevention
Status
Key type measure (KTM)
A: Governance and Institutional
Sub-KTM
A1: Policy instruments
Description
Consideration and integration of adaptation requirements in construction standards and norms.
Status
Key type measure (KTM)
A: Governance and Institutional
Sub-KTM
A2: Management and Planning
Description
Ensuring the achievement of water management objectives in periods of low water.
Status
Key type measure (KTM)
A: Governance and Institutional
Sub-KTM
A2: Management and Planning
Description
Increased emphasis on adaptation needs in the funding of new construction and the renovation of residential and non-residential buildings.
Status
Key type measure (KTM)
B: Economic and Finance
Sub-KTM
B1: Financing and incentive instruments
Description
Raising awareness about the need for complementary insurance-based preparedness measures.
Status
Key type measure (KTM)
B: Economic and Finance
Sub-KTM
B2: Insurance and risk sharing instruments
Description
Reduction of weather-related production risks and the development and extension of additional insurance models.
Status
Key type measure (KTM)
B: Economic and Finance
Sub-KTM
B2: Insurance and risk sharing instruments
Description
Prevention of an increase in peak flows and damage.
Status
Key type measure (KTM)
C: Physical and technological approaches
Sub-KTM
C1: Grey options
Description
Avoidance of foreseeable supply shortages and overcapacities and reduction of vulnerability to extreme weather events.
Status
Key type measure (KTM)
C: Physical and technological approaches
Sub-KTM
C1: Grey options
Description
Use and optimization of regional renewable resources to enhance security of supply and raising awareness of the general public with respect to energy topics.
Status
Key type measure (KTM)
C: Physical and technological approaches
Sub-KTM
C1: Grey options
Description
Efficiency improvements in irrigation and water use through the introduction of modern technological developments permitting the optimization of irrigation in terms of timing and amount of water.
Status
being implemented
Key type measure (KTM)
C: Physical and technological approaches
Sub-KTM
C2: Technological options
Description
Development of preventive measures and systems for elaboration or revision of emergency plans to combat forest fires.
Status
Key type measure (KTM)
C: Physical and technological approaches
Sub-KTM
C2: Technological options
Description
Nationwide inventory of Austrian forests by combining the forest inventory with remote sensing methods (laser scanning, multispectral satellite imagery) for enhanced system knowledge, and the establishment of an immissions-monitoring system.
Status
Key type measure (KTM)
C: Physical and technological approaches
Sub-KTM
C2: Technological options
Description
Preparation of the general public, health care, and aid organizations for climate change-related effects and emergency situations in order to reduce/prevent health consequences through the development of a common, coherent monitoring structure, in particular by linking existing systems. This structure should be adjustable to the respective risks (e.g., floods, heat, cold, pathogens/infectious diseases).
Status
Key type measure (KTM)
C: Physical and technological approaches
Sub-KTM
C2: Technological options
Description
Further optimization and, if needed, extension of existing warning systems, improvement of information and data transfer (e.g., between meteorological units, science, and farmers), and nation-wide monitoring of potentially harmful organisms;

Designation of particularly endangered areas and the development and adjustment of decision-making aids for measures.
Status
Key type measure (KTM)
C: Physical and technological approaches
Sub-KTM
C2: Technological options
Description
Expansion of the scope of data and information on hazardous natural processes and the resulting possibility of (early) warning.
Status
Key type measure (KTM)
C: Physical and technological approaches
Sub-KTM
C2: Technological options
Description
Use of species and new varieties of plants that can tolerate changing climatic conditions. Especially heat-tolerant and water-saving crops and grasses and species with low susceptibility to pests should be favored.
Status
being implemented
Key type measure (KTM)
D: Nature based solutions and ecosystem-based approaches
Sub-KTM
D1: Green options
Description
Improvement of the agro-ecological situation and conservation of natural biodiversity by reducing wind-exposed areas/wind speed and soil erosion, and improving water retention.
Status
Key type measure (KTM)
D: Nature based solutions and ecosystem-based approaches
Sub-KTM
D1: Green options
Description
Safeguarding natural soil functions; build-up and long-term stabilization of optimal humus content in soils; conservation of aggregate stability, promotion of soil life, and safeguarding of adequate water intake and water retaining capacity; Prevention of damage (especially soil compaction and erosion) and conservation of soil productivity through sustainable and siteadapted land use and a soil-conserving tillage method.
Status
being implemented
Key type measure (KTM)
D: Nature based solutions and ecosystem-based approaches
Sub-KTM
D1: Green options
Description
Reduction of knowledge deficits regarding the effects of climate change on water resources and their use.
Status
Key type measure (KTM)
E: Knowledge and behavioural change
Sub-KTM
E1: Information and awareness raising
Description
Reduction of thermal stress on farm animals, appropriate and stressfree livestock rearing, and reduction of harmful pollutants in stables.
Status
Key type measure (KTM)
E: Knowledge and behavioural change
Sub-KTM
E1: Information and awareness raising
Description
Minimizing existing uncertainties and preparing robust bases for decision-making, especially by integrating regional climate change scenarios.
Status
Key type measure (KTM)
E: Knowledge and behavioural change
Sub-KTM
E1: Information and awareness raising
Description
Increasing security of supply through more diversified energy sources structures and far-reaching avoidance of negative consequences for other areas and their adaptive capacity.
Status
Key type measure (KTM)
E: Knowledge and behavioural change
Sub-KTM
E1: Information and awareness raising
Description
Data collection, as complete as possible, on actual water consumption by various user groups as a basis for managing and safeguarding the water supply
Status
Key type measure (KTM)
E: Knowledge and behavioural change
Sub-KTM
E1: Information and awareness raising
Description
Advancement of knowledge on the impacts of climate change on ecosystems and biodiversity as a basis for and support of the implementation of potential measures.
Status
Key type measure (KTM)
E: Knowledge and behavioural change
Sub-KTM
E1: Information and awareness raising
Description
Balancing out supply shortages or excess capacities.
Status
Key type measure (KTM)
E: Knowledge and behavioural change
Sub-KTM
E1: Information and awareness raising
Description
Improvement in the state of knowledge regarding emerging diseases, to enable a quick and efficient response.
Status
studies ongoing
Key type measure (KTM)
E: Knowledge and behavioural change
Sub-KTM
E1: Information and awareness raising
Description
Improvement of the knowledge base with the goal of optimized adaptation to the effects of climate change and improvement of underlying data.
Status
Key type measure (KTM)
E: Knowledge and behavioural change
Sub-KTM
E1: Information and awareness raising
Description
Need-based and site-specific plant nutrition as a contribution to plant quality, plant health, and yield security.
Status
being implemented
Key type measure (KTM)
E: Knowledge and behavioural change
Sub-KTM
E2: Capacity Building, empowerment and lifestyle practices
A first progress report on implementation of measures defined in the NAS/NAP was published by the Ministry of Environment (now Ministry of Climate Action - BMK) and taken note of by the Council of Ministers in 2015. The methodological concept for monitoring and evaluation is pragmatic and comprises two work streams: 1) a self-assessment approach using a stakeholder survey based on the NAP and sent to the key actors mentioned therein; 2) an indicator-based approach with qualitative and quantitative data collections. The results give a broad picture of the state of implementation and of key adaptation trends in Austria. The progress report shows that implementation and mainstreaming of adaptation is increasing in Austria with a different level of progress in the various areas of action. Based on these results, sector goals were introduced in the revised national adaptation strategy (NAS) and action plan (NAP). The results were of high relevance for the first updated edition of the Austrian Adaptation Strategy and its Action Plan as of 2017.

A second progress report was published by the BMK and taken note of by the Council of Ministers in September 2021. For this progress report, the written stakeholder survey was replaced with a series of stakeholder workshops per sectoral area of action in the NAP, which provided rich in-depth insights and delivered group-based expert judgments on the implementation progress. The complementary indicator-based assessment approach was maintained. Based on the results, work on the second revision of the NAS and NAP started in 2021.
The results from the first progress report give a broad picture of the state of implementation and of key adaptation trends in Austria. The results show that implementation and mainstreaming of adaptation is increasing in Austria with a different level of progress in the various areas of action. Based on these results, sector goals were introduced in the revised national adaptation strategy (NAS) and NAP. One of the lessons learned was that not all aspects of adaptation processes are 'measurable'; thus, the analysis of quantitative and qualitative data and information only provides input for partial or indirect statements. As there are different ways of interpreting quantitative and qualitative data, a common understanding is needed and can be ensured with strong stakeholder engagement during MRE and NAS/NAP revision. The results were of high relevance for the first updated version of the Austrian Adaptation Strategy and its Action Plan as of 2017.
In principle, it can be stated that in Austria numerous measures for climate change adaptation have already been tackled, there is already some relevant success e.g. in forestry, water management, in the field of natural hazard management or in agriculture or as concerns new approaches in tourism.

The first progress report gives the following examples:
• A decline in the proportion of spruce and an increase in the proportion of hardwood has already been observed in the forestry sector.
• Numerous measures have been and are being taken to improve water ecology, such as restoring the continuity of rivers.
• Additionally created retention areas contribute significantly to protection against natural hazards. The demand must be: "More space for the rivers".
• Organic farming is based on goals that are also in line with adaptation to climate change. Some progress can be seen as the area dedicated to organic farming has increased significantly since 2000.
• A large number of promotional measures in tourism are consistent with adaptation to climate change, e.g. measures to extend the season and the promotion of sustainable development.
• The population's access to relevant information has also been significantly improved and this is very well received, especially in times of "crisis".

The second progress report shows that climate change adaptation has gained momentum and activities for the implementation of measures have increased all over Austria. The topic is increasingly recognised as important in the different sectors as well as on regional and local level. Relevant results:

Awareness for the need of adaptation measures in agriculture is continuously increasing. A considerable share of the measures of the Austrian Agri-Environmental Programme contributed to adapation; although there is high acceptance of the support measures by farmers there is still room for extension.
• In the forest sector the decrease of the share of spruce in favour of mixed forests with a high share of deciduous wood continues, but at a slightly lower pace compared to the period of the previous forest inventory.
• In water sector progress has been made regarding flood risk management and aquatic ecology.
• Forecast and early warning systems are important with respect to the protection against natural hazards as well as for the transport infrastructure. Early warning systems have been established for many relevant parameters.
• Early warning systems are also relevant for the protection of human health. Heat protection plans have been developed at federal level as well as in the majority of the federal provinces; they are targeted at information and warning of the population.
• The need for action at the local level, which has been emphasised in the National Adaptation Strategy, has been met by the establishment of the support and funding programme “Climate Change Adaptation Model Regions” of the Climate and Energy Fund. The number of participants has been continuously increasing during the last years.

There is, however, still need for accelerated action, especially with respect to the integration of adaptation aspects into all kinds of other sectoral strategies, plans and programmes at federal, regional and local level.

In general, the following premises apply for the implementation of the Austrian Adaptation Strategy: The costs of implementing the recommendations are to be covered by prioritization and shifting within the available budget in line with political objectives regarding climate. In many cases, implementation of the recommendations will require the cooperation of various actors in the public sector (federal, state, local) and the private sector. To ensure fair burden sharing, cooperation within the public sector and between the public and private sectors is recommended and expedient.
The project PACINAS (Public Adaptation to Climate Change) addressedthe question of the costs and benefits of public climate change adaptation.

Key findings of the PACINAS project:
• The top­down analysis of the federal budget finds that the estimated annual adaptation-­relevant expenditures amount to at least € 2.1 billion currently (2014 budget). The share that can be explicitly attributed as adaptation is estimated at € 488 million. It is stressed that this only considers federal costs and is therefore a sub­total of all relevant expenditures: it excludes state and municipal expenditures and all costs in the private and household sectors.
• These adaptation costs are 8% of the investigated budget positions (the three SDs) and 0.65% of the total federal budget in 2014. When the annual costs of the Austrian disaster fund are added (some expenditures thereof are already covered in the top­down approach), the adaptation and damage costs rise to € 886 million, which is 1.2% of the total federal budget.
• The alternative bottom­up approach using expert elicitation has estimated that the current cost of the Austrian strategy for adaptation – for the areas relevant for the federal government ­ is € 358 million annually.
67 out of 132 adaptation measures in the activity fields agriculture, forestry, water resources and water management, protection from natural hazards, disaster risk management, ecosystems and biodiversity and transportation infrastructure were analysed in detail.

The following amounts in EURO are first estimates of adaptation costs based on the results of the research project PACINAS and are published in Knittel, N., Bednar-Friedl, B., Leitner, M., Bachner, G. (2017) The Costs of Climate Change Adaptation for the Austrian Federal Budget. PACINAS Working Paper #04, Graz/Vienna, June 2017. The amounts below are based on the federal budget from 2014 and assessed the adaptation costs of adaptation measures of the NAS/NAP, 2012. The sector average estimates of adaptation costs are listed below, but as stated earlier, not all adaptation measures in each activity field were monetarised.

Agriculture: ~80 Million €/year

Forestry: ~4 Million €/year

Water Resources and Water Management: ~ 118 Million €/year

Protection from Natural Hazards: ~ 45 Million €/year

Disaster Risk Management: ~ 9 Million €/year

Ecosystems and Biodiversity: ~ 25 Million €/year

Transportation Infrastructure: ~ 103 Million €/year

Current expenditures cover additional measures that foster adaptation, but are not stated in the Austrian strategy for adaptation to climate change, such as flood protection measures.

Basically, not much has changed financially in recent years, but adaptation has gained importance as an issue and, in view of the increase in climate damages (especially in the rail, agriculture and forestry sectors), an increase in adaptation-relevant projects is expected in the coming years. Moreover, the intention to mainstream adaptation into all policy areas seems to be progressing as it is considered in many projects that do not pursue adaptation as a primary goal.
The results from the first progress report give a broad picture of the state of implementation and of key adaptation trends in Austria. The results show that implementation and mainstreaming of adaptation is increasing in Austria with a different level of progress in the various areas of action. Based on these results, sector goals were introduced in the revised national adaptation strategy (NAS) and NAP. One of the lessons learned was that not all aspects of adaptation processes are 'measurable'; thus, the analysis of quantitative and qualitative data and information only provides input for partial or indirect statements. As there are different ways of interpreting quantitative and qualitative data, a common understanding is needed and can be ensured with strong stakeholder engagement during MRE and NAS/NAP revision. The results were of high relevance for the first updated version of the Austrian Adaptation Strategy and its Action Plan as of 2017. Similarly, results from the second progress report are currently feeding into the revision of the NAS and NAP until the end of 2023.

The Austrian Adaptation Strategy explicitly refers to the increasing importance of adaptation to climate change at the regional and local level, with the aim of offering more local support. With the Climate Change Adaptation Model Regions Programme (KLAR!), a Europe-wide flagship initiative was created in 2016, in which currently 79 Austrian regions (as of January 2023) are implementing adaptation measures or developing adaptation concepts.

In summary, it can be stated that adaptation to climate change has become much more important and that progress in the individual areas of activity can be well documented. However, it can also be clearly deduced that despite the described progress in all areas of activity, there is still a clear need for further action. This applies in particular to mainstreaming, i.e. the basic and systematic consideration of aspects of adaptation in all relevant areas at the federal, provincial and municipal level.

Avoiding maladaptation must also be a major focus, especially in the coming years.
As part of a supportive governance framework, further multi-level implementation initiatives have been established to support awareness-raising, agenda-setting, capacity-building and implementation of adaptation at regional and local level. A selection of respective efforts is listed below:

Dialogue events: A series of more than 30 multi-purpose face-to-face events with different stakeholder groups has been conducted from 2014 onwards. Designed as interactive dialogue formats, these events fulfilled important communication, agenda-setting, capacity-building and coordination functions. The foci of target groups so far was on state administrations (2014/2015), regional stakeholders (2016/2017), sector-specific actors, (2018/2019) and on the networking of adaptation initiatives and their actors (2020/2021). A new phase of dialogue events started in early 2023.

Adaptation advisory services for municipalities: Jointly financed by the Federal Ministry for Environment (now Ministry for Climate Action – BMK) and the provincial governments, a series of training programmes for qualifying local adaptation advisors have been implemented from 2017 onwards. An additional training of climate change adaptation advisors took place in autumn 2020.

Preparedness check “Natural hazards under climate change” for municipalities: Developed by a cross-sectoral and multi-level working group of the federal and provincial governments (2017-2018), the ‘natural hazards check’ is both a policy counselling tool and a governance model to strengthen the risk preparedness of municipalities. It covers a broad range of climate-driven natural hazards and meteorological/climatic extreme events and is applied by specifically trained experts together with municipal decision makers during on-site visits. Implementation of the tool has been launched from 2019 onwards.

Information provision, guidance and decision support: Covering both print products and online resources, a portfolio of knowledge resources, capacity-building tools, guidance documents and work aids for decision makers and stakeholders at different government levels are being provided on behalf of the responsible Ministry, the Climate and Energy Funds and research projects. E.g. Creation of Information materials ("Climate Change - What To Do?" (2014), "Our Communities in Climate Change – Good Practice Brochure" (2016), "Why we have to adapt to the consequences of climate change" (2018), "Misconceptions About Climate Change"(2018).

For the EU Mission on Adaptation, potential signatories were mobilized (two signatories as of September 2022) and the Mission on Adaptation is continuously promoted.
In principle, it can be stated that in Austria numerous measures for climate change adaptation have already been tackled, there is already some relevant success e.g. in forestry, water management, in the field of natural hazard management or in agriculture or as concerns new approaches in tourism.

Both progress report gives the following examples:
• A decline in the proportion of spruce and an increase in the proportion of hardwood has already been observed in the forestry sector.
• Numerous measures have been and are being taken to improve water ecology, such as restoring the continuity of rivers.
• Additionally created retention areas contribute significantly to protection against natural hazards. The demand must be: "More space for the rivers".
• Organic farming is based on goals that are also in line with adaptation to climate change. Some progress can be seen as the area dedicated to organic farming has increased significantly since 2000.
• A large number of promotional measures in tourism are consistent with adaptation to climate change, e.g. measures to extend the season and the promotion of sustainable development.
• The population's access to relevant information has also been significantly improved and this is very well received, especially in times of "crisis".
• In agriculture, awareness of soil protection is continuously increasing. Many measures in the Agri-environmental Programme (“ÖPUL”) contribute to adaptation; an even stronger receipt of ÖPUL would be desirable. Organic farming is guided by objectives that are also in line with, and contribute to, adaptation to climate change. In this context, it is very positive that the share of organically farmed land in Austria continues to rise and has increased to 26.1% of the agriculturally used area.
• In forestry, the decline in the proportion of spruce and the trend towards mixed stands with a higher proportion of hardwoods is continuing, although at a somewhat slower pace.
• In water management, progress has been made in adaptive flood risk management. Additionally, newly created retention areas contribute significantly to protection against floods and natural hazards in general. In the area of water ecology, further measures were implemented to improve river continuity and morphology.
• Forecasting and early warning systems play an important role in the protection against natural hazards, but also in the activity area of transport infrastructure. Warning systems have been established for a large number of parameters (heat, heavy rain, floods, forest fires, hail, storm, snow, black ice, avalanches) and have been further developed in some cases.
• Early warning and monitoring systems are also of enormous importance for health. Since 2017, a national heat protection plan has been in place, which primarily aims to inform the population. The majority of the Provinces has developed heat protection plans and heat warning services.
The Action Plan for the Austrian Adaptation Strategy includes a number of recommendations in the various areas of action for both public and private actors. These recommendations are based on the most recent knowledge. When developing the recommendations for action, care was already taken that these do not contribute to maladaptation.

Certain sectors of society and regions are affected by climate change in different ways and to varying degrees. The extent to which the people, the environment, and the economy of a region will be influenced by the consequences of climate change depends on both the natural vulnerability of the region and on its existing adaptive capacity to cope with climate change and extreme weather. This results in differing requirements for action.

In order to determine which recommendations should be assigned priority in a given area of action or region, a list of criteria is introduced. This list serves to support the actors concerned in setting their priorities in the adaptation process.

In general, however, it must be noted that measures that provide benefits independent of climate change (“win-win”) or entail no disadvantages in the event that actual climate trends do not correspond to projections (“no regret”) should be prioritized. Due to the inherent uncertainty about the effects of future climate warming, it is necessary to select and implement flexible measures that can be easily adjusted to changing conditions.

Findings from research projects conducted to date, the preparation of the first Progress Report and the Assessment Report Climate Change 2014 (APCC 2014) show that further action is required, including in research. It should be focussed on applied research as well as socioeconomic questions. In addition, accompanying research is to be strengthened in order to support the implementation of local and regional adaptation measures and to develop adaptation measures that are as effective and as closely tailored to target groups as possible. Research needs to include, among other things, the necessary socio-ecological transformation of society and the economy. For this reason, the relevant research programs are to be adequately financed in the future as well. Improved communication between research, public administration, and practical application is required and the findings of national and international research have to be considered in the adaptation process at all levels of public administration.
Information of available vulnerability and risk assessments from different sectors like e.g. disaster risk reduction (national risk assessment) and others will be continuously monitored and relevant information considered in the current revision of NAS and NAP.

A Special report on land use, land management and climate change was published in 2021. A Special report for structures for a climate-friendly life was published in 2022. A Special report on land use and climate change is planned to be published in 2023.

Since the publication of the Austrian Assessment Report 2014 (AAR14), a lot has happened and that is why another status report – 10 years later (AAR24) – is being planned.
A national adaptation plan (NAP) was adopted in 2012 (as part of the NAS) and revised in 2016 (and approved together with the revised NAS in 2017).

The revision of the NAS and NAP is ongoing during 2023.

Based on the results of the second progress report, the results will feed into the second revision of the NAS and NAP from late 2021 onwards.

Good practices and lessons learnt

In 2017 the platform "Global Mosquito Alarm" was launched with the support of the UN. Researchers and laypersons will collaborate intensively worldwide in the fight against the spread of diseases such as malaria, Zika and yellow fever in the future. Registered people share their observations and data with researchers on the platform. The knowledge gained from this should reduce the spread and facilitate control.
The guidebook presents measures that can be used to achieve energy-efficient protection against heat. Tips against heat by AGES incl. heat telephone and videos on proper nutrition in heat and food safety in summer.
For medical and care facilities to create their own heat action plans: The guideline is aimed at institutionalised care areas of the most vulnerable population groups and those responsible for hospitals, nursing and care facilities. With recommendations for short- to medium-term and acute measures, it supports organisations in developing and establishing their own heat plans.
Nine peatlands have been renatured in the “Inner Salzkammergut” forestry operation of the Austrian Federal Forests. In the Traun-Innviertel forestry operation, the Laudachseemoor and the Wildmoos at Mondseeberg are currently being restored. The progressive shrinkage of the moors is being stopped by the construction of sheet pile walls. Another goal is to preserve and promote ecologically valuable habitats and regional biodiversity.

Cooperation and experience

Apart from the commitment to the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 (SFDRR) have galvanised the pursuit of policy coherence. Monitoring progress of these frameworks is a key area in which the potential for synergies has been identified. The autonomy of each of the post-2015 frameworks has to be maintained, but making use of synergies can improve coherence of actions. In addition coordinating and collaborating in monitoring their progress can save money and time and enhance efficiency. With the help of the Austrian Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (www.isdr.at) the following tasks can be supported: Exchange of experiences and concepts, Coordination of the strategies, Creation of synergies and Joint developments in the context of crisis intervention and prevention. Actors in the field of adaptation to climate change are actively involved this national joint effort.

Specifically to SDGs, Sustainability Goal 13 refers to climate change. Resilience to climate risks is to be increased and concrete measures integrated into planning and policy processes. Another focus is to increase people’s awareness of climate change mitigation and adaptation. With the ministerial report of January 7, 2016, all federal ministries were obliged to implement the SDGs. The global sustainability goals are to be integrated into relevant strategies and programs and, if necessary, appropriate action plans and measures are to be developed with the involvement of relevant actors from the various administrative levels as well as social partners, civil society and science.
Austria engages in international, European and transnational networks, working groups and cooperation structures such as the OECD Task Force on Climate Change Adaptation, EU Working Group on Adaptation, and the EU Mission on Adaptation. The Environment Agency Austria (EAA) collaborates in the Interest Group Climate Change Adaptation of the Network of European Environmental Protection Agencies (EPA IG CCA), has been a member of the European Topic Centre on Climate Adaptation since the beginning, and continues in the current ETC CA (2022-2026).

As a Contracting Party to the Alpine Convention, Austrian chairs and members of its thematic working bodies regularly work on cross-sectoral aspects of adaptation and have co-produced a range of specific transnational knowledge and policy outputs. Austria is chairing the Alpine Climate Board (ACB) of the Alpine Convention, which bundles all activities on climate change in the context of the Alpine Convention, has delivered the Alpine Climate Target System 2050 and an updated Climate Action Plan. Both continue to be at the centre of the Alpine Climate Board’s (ACB) activities in the current mandate period 2023-2024. In doing so, an additional focus will be set on cross-cutting issues and on promotion of cross-sectoral cooperation to strengthen synergies and develop solutions to potential conflicts.

Upon an Austrian initiative, a transnational network of the national adaptation policymakers of the Alpine countries has been established in the frame of the Alpine Space project C3-Alps from 2012 onwards. It is an informal platform for regular knowledge exchange and joint learning between countries about adaptation policy making, implementation of adaptation strategies and common governance challenges.

The Environment Agency Austria manages the transnational online knowledge portal ‘CAPA – Climate Adaptation Platform for the Alps’. As a flagship initiative under the umbrella of EUSALP AG8, the CAPA portal is the central infrastructure for knowledge transfer and dissemination of knowledge resources on climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction in the Alpine macro-region.
In the NAS/NAP, cooperation to address common challenges with neighboring countries or at transnational level is not an explicitly stated priority. Nevertheless, Austria plays a highly active role in international partnerships and transnational cooperation structures that are working on climate change and adaptation issues.

Austria participates in two EU Macro-Regional Strategies, the EU Strategy for the Danube Region (EUSDR) and the EU Strategy for the Alpine Region (EUSALP), which both prominently address climate change impacts and adaptation. Austria chairs EUSALP Action Group 8, which bundles together the core topics of risk management and adaptation to climate change. AG8 has delivered a range of initiatives and products that enhance governance mechanisms in the fields of natural hazard risk management and climate change adaptation and strengthen their coherence. AG8 has produced studies, good practice examples and policy enhancement options on risk governance, climate adaptation governance, mainstreaming of climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction, forest fire management, and climate-resilient spatial planning. In its forthcoming new work programme for the period 2023-2025, the transnational activities of EUSALP AG8 will likely have a focus on two strategic issues: i) large-scale extreme weather events driven by climate change, compound impacts and cascading risks; and ii) nature-based solutions at the nexus of climate change, risk management and biodiversity. AG8 will work on these issues by collaborating closely with associated EU-funded projects, involving its stakeholder network, and promoting and engaging in development of new funding projects.

On the European scale, Austria was engaged in the PLACARD Project (2015 – 2020), which further improved knowledge sharing and enhanced collaboration between climate change adaptation (CCA) and disaster risk reduction (DRR) in research, politics and practical work in the communities.

Since 2021, the Environment Agency Austria is leading the project TRATOLOW – ‚Transition towards lower emissions and climate resilient economy in the Western Balkans and in Turkey‘, funded by the European Commission, DG Climate. TRATOLOW supports the countries of the Western Balkans and Turkey in implementing the UNFCCC Paris Agreement by building capacities for mitigation and adaptation.

The Environment Agency Austria is coordinator of the project EU4 Green (2022-2026), whose mission is to support the implementation of the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans and to prepare the countries of the region in their processes of accession to the European Union. While focusing on climate neutrality and greening the economy, the project addresses climate resilience and adaptation as cross-cutting issues as well.

Overview of institutional arrangements and governance at the sub-national level (where “sub-national” refers to local and regional)

All nine provinces were actively involved in the development of the “Austrian Strategy for Adaptation to Climate Change” (NAS and NAP). The topics of climate change, mitigation and climate change adaptation have been on the agendas of the state administrations for years.

A variety of initiatives have already been enacted in the provinces, ranging from research projects to concrete measures in specific sectors.

In 2015,the Conference of State Environment Ministers (LURK), passed a resolution that paved the way for tackling cross-cutting measures of the Austrian adaptation strategy and action plan by installing issue-specific horizontal and multi-level task forces. In 2017, the first of such inter-organisational working groups was formed.
The LURK AG was a temporary, informal, non-public and cross-sectoral cooperation format dedicated to the topic of 'self-responsible risk precaution'. It aligned administrative actors from the national and state levels representing the two policy fields, CCA and natural hazard management. From an intense horizontal governance process, LURK AG has produced a tool to assess both climate impacts and natural hazards in municipalities in an integrated way, aiming at strengthening risk prevention and the preparedness of municipal and private actors. The group has also developed an implementation concept and a governance model for the country-wide launch of the assessment tool.
All federal states were actively involved in the development of the “Austrian Strategy for Adaptation to Climate Change”. The topics of climate change, mitigation and adaptation have been on the agendas of the state administrations for years.

At the level of the federal states (“Bundesländer”), a variety of initiatives have already been adopted, ranging from research projects to concrete measures in individual sectors. Adaptation is regarded as part of an integrated climate mitigation policy by all nine federal states.

The provinces are pursuing different approaches when creating policies for adapting to climate change: the states of Upper Austria (2013), Styria (2015), Vorarlberg (2016) and Salzburg (2017) currently have their own strategies for adapting to climate change. Tyrol has published a new sustainability and climate strategy 2021 (integrated adaptation and climate protection strategy). The Lower Austria climate and energy program 2030 in Lower Austria (2021) includes measures for climate protection, the expansion of renewable energy sources and adaptation to climate change. Carinthia has integrated adaptation measures as part of the Carinthian climate agenda into its existing climate protection strategies. In Vienna, adaptation to climate change is integrated into the overarching strategies (smart city framework strategy, etc.). In the climate roadmap with the goal of decarbonization by 2040, which is currently available in draft form and is to be adopted by the Vienna City Council in 2022/23, climate protection and adaptation to climate change are given equal weight. In Burgenland, adaptation measures are directly integrated into other sectoral programs and strategies.
In recent years, a number of country-wide implementation initiatives has been launched to support implementation of the NAS/NAP and of state-level adaptation strategies in Austrian regions and municipalities. These initiatives are mostly initiated and financed by the federal level (Ministry of Climate Action, Climate and Energy Fund) and usually implemented in a multi-level governance approach.

As part of a supportive governance framework, further multi-level implementation initiatives have been established to support awareness-raising, agenda-setting, capacity-building and implementation of adaptation at regional and local level. A selection of respective efforts is listed below:

Dialogue events: A series of more than 30 multi-purpose face-to-face events with different stakeholder groups has been conducted from 2014 onwards. Designed as interactive dialogue formats, these events fulfilled important communication, agenda-setting, capacity-building and coordination functions. The foci of target groups so far was on state administrations (2014/2015), regional stakeholders (2016/2017), sector-specific actors, (2018/2019) and on the networking of adaptation initiatives and their actors (2020/2021). New Dialogue Events will start in spring 2023 till spring 2024.

Adaptation advisory services for municipalities: Jointly financed by the former Federal Ministry for Environment, now Ministry for Climate Action (BMK) and the federal state governments, a series of training programmes for qualifying local adaptation advisors have been implemented from 2017 onwards. An additional training of climate change adaptation advisors took place in autumn 2020.

Preparedness check “Natural hazards under climate change” for municipalities: Developed by a cross-sectoral and multi-level working group of the federal and state governments (2017-2018), the ‘natural hazards check’ is both a policy counselling tool and a governance model to strengthen the risk preparedness of municipalities. It covers a broad range of climate-driven natural hazards and meteorological/climatic extreme events and is applied by specifically trained experts together with municipal decision makers during on-site visits. Implementation of the tool has been launched from 2019 onwards.

Information provision, guidance and decision support: Covering both print products and online resources, a portfolio of knowledge resources, capacity-building tools, guidance documents and work aids for decision makers and stakeholders at different government levels are being provided on behalf of the responsible Ministry, the Climate and Energy Funds and research projects. E.g. Creation of Information materials ("Climate Change - What To Do?" (2014), "Our Communities in Climate Change – Good Practice Brochure" (2016), "Why we have to adapt to the consequences of climate change" (2018), "Misconceptions About Climate Change"(2018),

Socially weaker groups are generally more exposed to the effects of climate change. In most cases, various factors (low income, low education, low social capital, precarious work and housing conditions, unemployment, limited room for maneuver) combine to make underprivileged groups more vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Different social groups have different levels of ability to adapt and are more affected by climate policy measures, such as taxes and charges on energy (APCC 2014). People with disabilities are also faced with new challenges, which require appropriate provision in, for example, civil catastrophes.

In addition, comprehensive demographic changes are expected. Changes in population size, age distribution, number of single-person households, or other demographic characteristics have implications for handling the environment, but also for specific needs (e.g., increase in heat sensitivity with increasing age). Demographic changes thus also have consequences for the planning and implementation of climate change adaptation measures.

It can be assumed that the following Austrian population groups will be particularly affected by climate change and by potential adaptation measures due to their location and/or socio-economic situation:
• People at risk of poverty or marginalization;
• Chronically ill people, people with poor health (among other things during hot spells or vector-transmitted sicknesses);
• Children;
• The elderly;
• People living in areas threatened by natural hazards;
• People living in areas increasingly subject to heat waves;
• People who are occupationally exposed to extreme weather conditions;
• People whose income may be at least temporarily threatened by the effects of climate change.
In 2016, the KLAR! programme for Climate Adaptation Model Regions has been launched to support Austrian regions and municipalities in preparing for climate change by implementing adaptation measures in a structured way. This Europe-wide unique climate adaptation funding programme is financed by the Climate and Energy Fund and has been initiated in cooperation with the Federal Ministry for Environment (now Ministry for Climate Action – BMK). The programme requires the instalment of a climate adaptation manager (KAM) in each model region and development of a detailed regional adaptation concept including a minimum of 10 concrete adaptation measures (soft/smart, green, grey, hybrid) on local and regional level. In general, manpower, awareness-raising measures and model region coordinators are grant-aided, while 25 % co-financing by municipalities is obligatory. Each model region is composed of a minimum of two municipalities. The programme cycle is structured in four phases: i) submitting draft adaptation concept (funding application); ii) elaborating detailed adaptation concept, awareness-raising and agenda setting in the regions; iii) implementation of adaptation measures according to the concept, monitoring and evaluation; and iv) re-adjustment of measures, dissemination of best practices, and continuation. In the continuation phase, existing model regions can apply for new funding for additional measures.

A service platform operated by the Environment Agency Austria supports the model regions with specific information packages, direct counselling and via organizing regular peer-group learning and networking meetings of all regions.Model regions have to consider the NAS and the relevant RAS in their activities, and they are required to coordinate their concepts and actions with the climate coordinator of the respective state. Therewith, it shall be ensured that activities in model regions are coherent with public adaptation policies and contribute directly or indirectly to their implementation. A reporting and monitoring system is in place to evaluate progress in implementation and effectiveness of adaptation actions.

Currently 79 model regions are active in planning and implementing adaptation measures, addressing a broad range of climate impacts and sectors. Altogether, at present the model regions encompass 651 municipalities with a total population of around 1.86 million inhabitants, covering a wide range of Austrian climatic conditions and most Austrian federal states. A further call for new model regions was open until End of January 2023.
The provinces are pursuing different approaches when creating policies for adapting to climate change: the states of Upper Austria (2013), Styria (2015), Vorarlberg (2016) and Salzburg (2017) currently have their own strategies for adapting to climate change. Tyrol has published a new sustainability and climate strategy 2021 (integrated adaptation and climate protection strategy). The Lower Austria climate and energy program 2030 in Lower Austria (2021) includes measures for climate protection, the expansion of renewable energy sources and adaptation to climate change. Carinthia has integrated adaptation measures as part of the Carinthian climate agenda into its existing climate protection strategies. In Vienna, adaptation to climate change is integrated into the overarching strategies (smart city framework strategy, etc.). In the climate roadmap with the goal of decarbonization by 2040, which is currently available in draft form and is to be adopted by the Vienna City Council in 2022/23, climate protection and adaptation to climate change are given equal weight. In Burgenland, adaptation measures are directly integrated into other sectoral programs and strategies.

Depending on the time-line of the adaptation measures, they are revised, the strategies, plans or measures renewed or modified depending on monitoring information and latest scientific findings.
Moor Restoration and Habitat Enhancement Measures

As a contribution to the implementation of the Biodiversity Strategy 2020+, nine peatlands have been renatured in the “Inner Salzkammergut” forestry operation of the Austrian Federal Forests. In the Traun-Innviertel forestry operation, the Laudachseemoor and the Wildmoos at Mondseeberg are currently being restored. The progressive shrinkage of the moors is being stopped by the construction of sheet pile walls. Another goal is to preserve and promote ecologically valuable habitats and regional biodiversity. Therefore, for example, several ponds are being created, tufa springs are being improved by clearing, meadows are being made more attractive for bees, and moor grass meadows are being preserved. The measures are accompanied by scientific studies.

Good Practice Citizen Science Project "Global Mosquito Alarm”

In 2017 the platform "Global Mosquito Alarm" was launched with the support of the UN. Researchers and laypersons will collaborate intensively worldwide in the fight against the spread of diseases such as malaria, Zika and yellow fever in the future. Registered people share their observations and data with researchers on the platform. The knowledge gained from this should reduce the spread and facilitate control.

Examples for heat guides

Guidebook: Protection against heat in houses and flats. The guidebook presents measures that can be used to achieve energy-efficient protection against heat.

Tips against heat by AGES incl. heat telephone and videos on proper nutrition in heat and food safety in summer.

Guideline Heat Action Plan – For medical and care facilities to create their own heat action plans: The guideline is aimed at institutionalised care areas of the most vulnerable population groups and those responsible for hospitals, nursing and care facilities. With recommendations for short- to medium-term and acute measures, it supports organisations in developing and establishing their own heat plans.
In the programming periods 2007-2013 and 2014-2020, Austrian institutions have participated in (lead) partner roles in a range of adaptation-related projects under three INTERREG B transnational cooperation programmes (ETC): Alpine Space, Central Europe, and Danube. Outputs of these projects have contributed to the knowledge base of the Austrian NAS/NAP and have regularly supported domestic adaptation policy processes at various levels. Examples of such projects under the Alpine Space Programme 2014-2020 include CLISP, C3-Alps, and GoApply, which were all coordinated by the Environment Agency Austria. Austrian engagement in ETC INTERREG projects on climate adaptation issues continues to be strong in the new programming period 2021-2027. In the Alpine Space Programme, the partnerships of all six new projects that have already been approved under priority 1 ‘Climate-resilient and green Alpine region’ include partner institutions from Austria. In the Central Europe Programme, Austrian institutions participate as partners in five out of six newly approved projects addressing the Programme’s specific objective ‘Increasing climate change resilience. In addition, Austria participates in seven INTERREG cross-border cooperation programmes, whose projects regularly address transboundary climate risks and the mainstreaming of adaptation into the management of shared border-crossing resources, such as river basins and biodiversity. At the start of the new programming period 2021-2027, the national Action Group on Cross-Border Cooperation has strengthened its efforts to integrate adaptation knowledge and adaptation solutions into the respective programme documents.

Federal Ministry of Climate Action

Directorate VI/1 – Climate Policy Coordination
Climate Policy Coordination
Dr. Barbara Kronberger-Kießwetter
Deputy-Head of Directorate VI/1

Environment Agency Austria

Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience Team
Support Adaptation at national, sub-national and international level
Markus Leitner
Head of Team Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience
[Disclaimer]
The source of information presented in these pages is the reporting of EU Member States under 'Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 on the Governance of the Energy Union and Climate Action' and the voluntary reporting of EEA Member Countries.'