The State of Upper Austria

Energy efficiency

Not only was Upper Austria the first Austrian State to implement the EU Energy Efficiency Directive, but today, all new residential buildings must meet stringent energy efficiency standards. 

Upper Austria amends its skills and capacity through dedicated study programs and vocational training, such as through university courses in Green Energy Engineering and Green Energy Installation are offered.

The Government works intensively with both companies and citizens, offering expertise and training on energy efficiency, particularly on the refurbishment of buildings.

Campaigns such as 'Minus 10% electricity consumption', 'Really Bright' and 'Efficient circulation pumps' help to raise awareness and improve energy efficiency in households. To foster innovation the Network for resource and energy efficiency was founded, to act as a cross-industry hub for manufacturing companies and technology providers, as well as promote holistically balanced energy budgets for future generations.

For the companies active in this field, the Government of Upper Austria provides a special advisory program: Betriebliche Umweltoffensive. This program is a corporate environmental initiative that provides expert advice for companies on environmental issues. 

Renewable energy

The Upper Austrian Energy Strategy 2030 sets a target to generate 100% of the State’s energy from renewable sources by 2030.

Renewable energy sources currently provide 76.8% of Upper Austria's total electricity consumption and 40% of its total heat consumption. Also, 30% of its municipalities already use mainly biomass for heating.

Clean transport

Upper Austria has a strong car manufacturing industry, and its Automobile Cluster is the biggest Austrian automotive network. Another successful program is Clean Motion Upper Austria, which promotes the production of electric vehicles was funded as a 'technology beacon' project by the Federal Climate and Energy Fund. The CMOmax arm project aims to produce a 100% Upper Austrian-made electric vehicles; the cluster also works on the standardization of charging systems. 

The EU-funded project REZIPE links electro mobility and renewables - Upper Austria aims to cover the entire state with solar-powered charging stations by 2015. 

The Government of Upper Austria has also subsidized the purchase of EVs and other low emissions vehicles (between 2008 and 2010, mainly EVs, electric bicycles and electric scooters), as well as sponsored electric bikes for state employees.

Sustainable land use

Organic farming makes up 13% of the agricultural area and a total of 11% of all farms. Forests covers 41.6% of Upper Austria, and woodland coverage has been continuously rising since 1990. See Green Report of Upper Austria for more information.

Waste management

Upper Austria has reduced its CO2 equivalent emissions from waste by about 45% since 1990. Organic waste is collected and treated separately, and recycling plays a major role in economy.

Smart cities

Since 2006, the E-GEM Program ('Energy saving communities') has encouraged Upper Austrian communities to propose their own solutions to make reductions to carbon emissions. Now, almost half of the State’s 444 Communities are implementing their own local energy strategies. With 'E-GEM plus' (expected for 2012), an additional emphasis will be laid on LED street lighting, 100% renewable energy, smart meter installations and energy efficiency in public buildings. Already leading the way, Upper Austrian Energy is a European fore-runner in the roll-out of smart metering systems.

Links

• Upper Austrian Energy Strategy 2030
• Land-oberoesterreich.gv.at
• Anschober.at