Energy consumption in Austria fell by four percent last year. This meant that it was even below the level of the pandemic year 2020, as CBS announced on Thursday. The decline is mainly attributable to industry.
As a result, consumption fell by approximately seven percent to 291 petajoules (PJ) in 2023. Private households, the service sector and road transport also consumed less energy last year. According to Statistics Austria, this is due to warmer weather, lower production and the switch to renewable energy sources.
More biofuels, less fuel oil
Last year, private households increasingly relied on biofuels such as biodiesel. The demand for firewood, fuel oil and wood pellets has fallen.
Air traffic used 40 percent more energy in 2023. This is the second highest value in Austrian aviation history.
Greenhouse gas emissions fell
At the same time, greenhouse gas emissions in the EU fell by eight percent last year. The decline in coal and the increase in renewable energy sources have contributed to this, the EU Environment Agency announced on Thursday.
However, in its report the agency assumes that the agreed target of a 55 percent reduction by 2030 cannot be achieved. With the existing measures, 43 percent is possible, it is said. The UN climate conference will start in Azerbaijan on November 11, where heads of state will discuss, among other things, climate protection and the banning of fossil fuels.
Source: Krone
I’m Ben Stock, a journalist and author at Today Times Live. I specialize in economic news and have been working in the news industry for over five years. My experience spans from local journalism to international business reporting. In my career I’ve had the opportunity to interview some of the world’s leading economists and financial experts, giving me an insight into global trends that is unique among journalists.
