71 percent of Austrians want a significant expansion of climate protection measures against the background of growing social inequalities. Because the climate crisis especially hits socially disadvantaged people hard, was Tuesday at the presentation of a new study.
The representative SORA study was commissioned by Global 2000 and Volkshilfe. The period carried out was from April to May 2023. A majority of the 1000 interviewees consider the current measures to combat climate change “insufficient”.
Negative consequences such as water shortages, periods of drought, storms, increasing inequality and social unrest could not be kept as small as possible. NGO representatives explained that this view is not only held at the center of youth and the upper classes, but is shared by a clear majority across all age groups, incomes and levels of education.
appeals to the federal government
They appealed to the federal government to take action as soon as possible. “The people living in Austria no longer feel sorry for calls for delay and reconciliation. Poverty and the increasingly noticeable effects of the climate catastrophe are increasing every day,” says Erich Fenninger, Managing Director of Volkshilfe Austria. The goal is “fair climate protection”. More than three-quarters (76 percent) are in favor of an income-dependent design of the measures. The agreement increases with age (up to 29 years: 72.9 percent; 30-59 years: 73.8 percent; persons aged 60 and older 82.2 percent).
Another aspect is caring for one’s own health: almost half (46 percent) indicate that they are concerned about this. “The climate crisis and the health crisis are increasingly going hand in hand,” Fenninger warned. In addition, more than 84 percent argue for more and multi-year subsidies for thermal renovations and the switch from oil and gas heating to more climate-friendly alternatives such as heat pumps and district heating.
Mandatory phase-out plans mandatory for all energy suppliers
Agnes Zauner, Managing Director of Global 2000, warned that the conversion should not fail because the population simply cannot afford it. “We are therefore very pleased with the increase in the federal subsidy for thermal renovation this year from 6,000 euros to 14,000 euros.” In the context of the negotiations on the Renewable Heat Act, this must be increased even further and secured in the long term.
She called for mandatory phase-out plans for all energy suppliers, but especially those that are publicly owned. “Clean and secure energy supply must be affordable for everyone.” “The climate crisis is also a social crisis,” said Fenninger with conviction. “It’s about nothing less than preserving our livelihood.”
Source: Krone
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