environment
Burgenland wants to become energy independent and mathematically climate neutral by 2030. Despite being a leader when it comes to renewable energy, these energy and climate goals are clearly not being met. Two recent studies reach this conclusion.
The question that arises is how we can be a leader in renewables on the one hand, and yet fail to meet the EU climate targets on the other. The answer to this comes from an analysis conducted by the Austrian Energy Agency. Accordingly, there is a lack of concrete and sufficient targets for energy saving and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Setting and achieving goals and actions
Michael Rohrer, an energy expert at the Austrian Energy Agency, came to this conclusion. “I think that Burgenland is already taking a leading role in the expansion of renewable energies, which is now planned to continue until 2030. You are already very close to what is possible. However, further expansion measures make sense and are possible after 2030. Rohrer says: ” “When it comes to greenhouse gas emissions, it is also about setting concrete goals and taking appropriate measures to achieve them.”
Energy consumption has increased significantly
For example, things are moving towards areas such as electric mobility or the replacement of oil boilers, says Rohrer. According to calculations by the Renewable Energy Association and the Energy Agency, energy consumption in Burgenland has increased significantly over the past nearly 20 years.
Energy consumption recently reached 10 terawatt-hours, while wind energy production reached 2.5 terawatt-hours. Of course, there is also the production of solar energy through photovoltaics. Bottom line: Although Burgenland is doing a very good job of expanding renewable energy production, it needs to cut emissions significantly in order to meet the EU’s current climate goals.
SPÖ: Don’t let goals stop you
However, SPÖ’s energy spokesman, Wolfgang Södel, said the country will not allow individual studies to deter it from its goals. Sodel said Burgenland’s Climate Strategy 2030 provides a clear roadmap towards climate and energy neutrality. The SPÖ MP said the goals were ambitious but realistic.
