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) 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. 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 Austria's national weather service (ZAMG) 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. ZAMG-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.

The Austrian Assessment Report 2014 (AAR14) aims to present the scientific knowledge pertaining to Austria in a coherent and complete manner to submit this in the form of policy-relevant information to the Austrian Federal Government and political decision-making bodies at all levels, and thereby providing a decision-making basis for the private sector and a knowledge base for academic institutions.

The first special report addressed health, demography and climate change (https://sr18.ccca.ac.at/) and was published in September 2018. The effects of climate change on health are already being felt today and can be classified as an increasing threat to health in Austria.

A second special report on tourism (https://sr19.ccca.ac.at/) was published in December 2020.

More special reports can be expected in the years to come.

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.

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 loss potential due to climate change in Austria will increase for the future. 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 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.

The first Austrian Strategy for Adaptation to Climate Change was adopted by the Council of Ministers in 2012 (BMNT 2012a, b (formerly BMLFUW 2012a, b)) and endorsed by the Conference of the Federal State Governors in 2013. The basis was a mandate by the Federal Government in 2007, followed a step-wise development process. It constitutes a cross-cutting and comprehensive strategic framework for the gradual implementation of adaptation. It consists of a Strategic Framework ("Context") and an Action Plan.

In 2017, a revised Strategy (BMNT, 2017) was adopted by the Austrian Council of Ministers and approved by the Conference of the Federal State Governors.

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 Protection Committee (NKK) includes questions of adaptation in its principal debate on national climate politics against the background 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 State Environmental Ministers (LURK), whose resolutions in recent years, have paved the way for stronger cooperation between the federal government and the Länder on adaptation to climate change and the Conference of Climate Coordinators of the Länder (LKRK), regional ministers in charge of climate policy making, established in recent years (mitigation and adaptation). The nine provincial climate coordinators are the main agents of vertical coordination and cooperation towards national as well as regional and local levels and are in charge of horizontal coordination within the state 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 progress report give a broad picture of the state of implementation and of key adaptation trends in Austria. The 2nd Progress Report is foreseen for Q2 2021.

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.

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 (BMLRT). However, they are increasingly taking climate change impacts and adaptation needs into account in their strategic planning and prevention measures.

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 federal states pursue different approaches when creating CCA policies: Upper Austria (2013), Styria (2015), Vorarlberg (2016) and Salzburg (2017) have their own CCA strategies. Tyrol has an integrated climate strategy (2015). Lower Austria (2011 and 2020) and Carinthia (2018) have integrated adaptation measures into existing climate mitigation strategies. In Vienna’s climate mitigation program (KliP II, duration 2010 – 2020), adaptation measures are continuously being implemented. In the upcoming climate mitigation program 2030 (KliP 3), mitigation and adaptation are considered equally. In Burgenland, adaptation measures are integrated into other sectoral programs and strategies.

All federal states 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.

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 thus 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 NAS was revised and published in 2017.

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/[…]/oe_strategie.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 revised in 2016 (and approved together with the revised NAS in 2017). The 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.

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 federal states pursue different approaches when creating policies for adaptation to climate change: Currently, the states of Upper Austria (2013), Styria (2015), Vorarlberg (2016) and Salzburg (2017) have their own strategies for adapting to climate change. Tyrol has published an integrated adaptation and climate protection strategy (2015). Lower Austria (2011 and 2020, respectively) and Carinthia (2018) have integrated adaptation measures into existing climate mitigation strategies. In Vienna, adaptation is part of an integrated climate mitigation policy. Based on a relevant section in the climate protection program (KliP II, duration 2010 - 2020), adaptation measures are continuously being implemented. In the update of the climate mitigation program 2030 (KliP 3), which is currently being worked on, climate mitigation and adaptation to climate change are considered equally. In Burgenland, adaptation measures are directly integrated into other sectoral programs and strategies.

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 provincial states 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.

After two calls for application, currently 44 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 375 municipalities with a total population of more than 1 million inhabitants, covering a wide range of Austrian climatic conditions and most Austrian federal states. A further call for new model regions with a budget of approx. 2.5 mio. Euro was open until Mid-February 2021.

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).

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 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 and migrants. In most cases, the motivation to take measures increased only after extreme events and personal concern.

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.

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.

For the second progress report, the written stakeholder survey was replaced with a series of stakeholder workshops per sectoral field 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. Following rounds of written consultations, the finalisation of the second progress report is foreseen for the second quarter of 2021. Based on the results, work on the second revision of the NAS and NAP is scheduled to start closely afterwards.

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.

2nd Progress Report is foreseen for Q2 2021.

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 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 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.

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).

Adaptation advisory services for municipalities: Jointly financed by the 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).

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 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 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 revision of NAS and NAP as of late 2021 onwards.

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

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 2nd Progress Report is foreseen for Q2 2021.

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.

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.

To implement cross-cutting measures of the NAS, the LURK AG on ‘self-responsible risk precaution' aligned administrative actors from the national and state levels representing the two policy fields CCA and natural hazard management. In an intense horizontal and multi-level governance process, it has produced a new policy-counselling tool to strengthen climate risk prevention of municipal and private actors (e.g. households, property owners), thus enhancing coherence between CCA and DRR.

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 and transnational networks, working groups and cooperation structures dedicated to knowledge sharing, exchange of experiences and joint research projects. For example, at international / EU level Austria participates in the OECD Task Force, the EU WG 6, the EPA IG, and the European Topic Centre on climate adaptation.

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, 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, which puts forward 33 implementation pathways for transnational mitigation and adaptation action.

Within the EU Strategy for the Alpine Region (EUSALP), Austria is holding the chair of Action Group 8 on improving risk management and coping with climate impacts, including major natural risks prevention. AG8 has produced studies, good practice examples and policy enhancement options on risk governance, adaptation governance and mainstreaming of climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction, aiming to pave the way for more effective and better-aligned governance approaches in the Alpine macro-region. AG8 is currently leading a cross-sectoral strategic initiative on climate-resilient spatial planning. Managed by the Environment Agency Austria, maintenance, enhancement and further deployment of the transnational online knowledge portal ‘CAPA – Climate Adaptation Platform for the Alps’ is carried out also under the umbrella of EUSALP AG8.

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 programs (ETC): Alpine Space, Central Europe, and Danube. Outputs of these projects have contributed to the knowledge base of the Austrian NAS/NAP. Examples of such projects under the Alpine Space Programme include CLISP, C3-Alps, and GoApply, which were all coordinated by the Environment Agency Austria.

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.

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.

In the NAS/NAP, cooperation to address common challenges with neighbouring countries is not explicitly addressed. Nevertheless, Austria plays a highly active role in several international and transnational partnerships that are actively working on climate change and adaptation issues.

In the 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 programs (ETC): Alpine Space, Central Europe, and Danube. Outputs of these projects have often played an enabling role for adaptation policy-making and adaptation action in Austrian regions.

Austria is a contracting Party to the Alpine Convention, which was signed in 1991 and commits the eight Alpine countries and the European Union to the sustainable development and protection of the Alpine massif. Taking action on climate change is one of six priorities of the multi-annual work programme 2017–2022. Under Austrian Presidency, the Alpine Climate Board (ACB) has been established as a new thematic working body in 2016 with the aim of bringing under one roof all relevant climate change activities carried out in the framework of the Convention. Chaired from the beginning by Austria, the ACB has developed an Alpine Climate Target System 2050 with concrete objectives to reach climate-neutral and climate-resilient Alps 2050. In its 2019-2020 mandate the ACB developed in a participatory process an updated Climate Action Plan with altogether 33 implementation pathways, which was adopted by the XVI Alpine Conference in December 2020. For the upcoming years, main objectives of the ACB are to build a strong community of implementers, to organize events for teaming up for climate action and to engage in activities to support implementation. Goals and measures of the new Climate Action Plan have been incorporated in the current work plans of all thematic working bodies of the Convention, including the Natural Hazards Working Group (PLANALP), which is also chaired by Austria.

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.

Austria is a contracting Party to the International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River (ICPDR), which adopted a Climate Adaptation Strategy in 2012. The Strategy provides a strategic framework for integrating climate adaptation of the water sector into the implementation of the EU Water Framework Directive and the EU Floods Directive.