The Vienna Climate Act entered into force in spring 2025, making Vienna Austria’s first federal province with a legally binding framework in order to achieve its climate targets. It defines climate protection, climate adaptation and circular economy as target dimensions and focuses on socially fair measures.
Besides defining goals, instruments and structures so to ensure that the city’s climate goals remain in effect beyond legislative terms, the Vienna Climate Act addresses awareness-raising. It is an act of self-commitment by the City of Vienna, thereby illustrating how to set ambitious measures within its own sphere of action.
Instruments
The Vienna Climate Act includes instruments and strengthens climate measures:
- The Vienna Climate Guide includes over 100 measures covering topics such as mobility, buildings, energy transition, agriculture and water.
- The climate budget assesses climate-relevant measures according to climate criteria, especially greenhouse gas emissions, and allocates responsibilities.
- Climate checks for new laws and for big construction projects ensure that climate impacts are taken into account during the early planning phase of projects.
- The formation of climate-alliances with companies is strengthened.
- A climate-friendly procurement of goods, construction and services is in place.
Governance and implementation
The implementation of the Vienna Climate Act is coordinated by three units:
- the high-level Steering Group, consisting of the mayor and executive city councillors;
- the Vienna Climate Council, which is an advisory body for the Steering Group;
- the Director’s Office for Climate Affairs, which is Vienna’s own climate management unit.
Public Participation
The Vienna Climate Act requires the city not only to meet its climate goals but also to enhance them. That’s why the Vienna Climate Guide needs to be updated every five years. Citizens and environmental organisations have the possibility to participate within this process. If not updated on time, they also have the right to officially request it. This ensures that the climate goals are consistently pursued.