‘Renaturalization show’ instead of serious politics. With these words, SPÖ leader Andreas Babler summarizes the weeks of bickering in the turquoise green government and between the federal and state governments. The SPÖ proposes a national renaturation plan with an investment volume of one billion euros for the next five years.
In a double interview with the former mayor of Vienna and current member of the SPÖ expert council, Michael Häupl, Babler explains to the “Krone” the red shift on this topic and positions himself as green red. The restoration of forests, rivers and heathlands is one of the most important political areas today, Babler said. All the government has to offer is a “renaturation show in which the minister is concerned with passing the bill back and forth”. In reality, these are important matters. “We need a strategy. We have not had a climate protection law in Austria for 1,200 days, we have no binding climate targets.”
Babler wants a billion biodiversity
The SPÖ calls for an increase in biodiversity funding to at least one billion biodiversity for the next legislature and refers to calculations by the European Commission according to which every euro invested would result in a benefit of at least eight euros. The current allocation of 80 million euros for a period of five years until 2026 is far too short, says Babler. Isolated protected areas alone are not sufficient to achieve the necessary improvements in species conservation. Rather, a network of protected areas is needed, i.e. a “Green Network for Austria”, to which the Federal Forests, as a major forest owner, and private individuals contribute through contractual arrangements.
“I want to greet every kingfisher personally”
In order to identify possible negative effects on nature and biodiversity in advance, a mandatory biodiversity check (comparable to the climate check announced by the federal government but not yet implemented) should be introduced. Babler refers to his flagship project, which he implemented as mayor of Traiskirchen in 2020 and is currently expanding. “At that time, we started to free the Schwechat Au River, which was once blocked by human hands decades ago. The area has come back to life and even the kingfisher has returned. “I would like to greet them all personally,” Babler said.
Until recently, the EU Renaturation Regulation was blocked by a unanimous decision of the state. However, Red Vienna and Carinthia have changed course and are now calling on Climate Protection Minister Leonore Gewessler to approve the law on June 17 during the EU Council of Environment Ministers. According to the Reds, the land blockade has been lifted. Vienna’s longtime mayor Michael Häupl, who advises Babler on environmental issues, said: “If there is no unanimity among the states, the decision is no longer relevant. The uniformity is gone.”
Legal dispute over jurisdiction
Gewessler himself recently called for a clear statement from the United States. According to Häupl and Babler, the SPÖ in Brussels can single-handedly agree that it should not hide behind the states. The question is complicated. Lawyers are not only discussing whether the state blockade has ended with the redshift, but also whether Gewessler needs the approval of other ministers, such as Norbert Totschnig (Agriculture). The ÖVP says yes and bases itself on a report from the Constitutional Service.
Babler criticizes this hiccup. “The Greens cannot get their way, they play tactical games, but actually there must be a common interest in Austria to guarantee intact natural landscapes.” And the ÖVP “mainly makes politics for the large agricultural companies and does not curse the small farmers.”
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
