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Vienna Climate Guide - Monitoring
1. Climate protection

1.2 Buildings

The Phasing Out Gas implementation programme was launched by the Executive Group for Construction and Technology in close co-operation with the Vienna Public Utilities, improves framework conditions and triggers implementation projects in order to phase out the use of natural gas. The Vienna Heating Plan 2040 identifies those methods of space and water heating for buildings in individual areas that are best suited for switching from the fossil fuels oil and gas to climate-neutral systems.

The 2023 amendment to the Vienna Building Code facilitates thermal rehabilitation projects. Since the adoption of the Renewable Heat Act in 2024, fossil-powered heating systems are banned on a nationwide basis for all new construction projects.

The amendments to the Vienna Housing Promotion and Housing Rehabilitation Act (German acronym WWFSG) and the Vienna Rehabilitation and Decarbonisation Ordinance have led to more generously endowed subsidy programmes for thermal rehabilitation and heating system replacement. These programmes have boosted investments in rehabilitation and decarbonisation measures in Vienna. Highly developed consultancy services offered by HAUSKUNFT (energetic refurbishment consultancy for property owners), the renewable energy consultancy service of Urban Innovation Vienna (UIV – climate and innovation agency of the City of Vienna), the Urban Renewal Offices (GB*), the energy provider Wien Energie, DIE Umweltberatung (Eco Counselling), Mieterhilfe (Tenants Assistance) or the WieNeu+ urban renewal programme support the heat transition.

Vienna is accumulating a body of lessons drawn from model projects for the decarbonisation of existing buildings heated with fossil fuels (“100 Projects – Phasing Out Gas”), from the WieNeu+ programme and from pilot projects implemented by the municipal housing administrator Wiener Wohnen.

The expansion of the district heating network contributes significantly to reducing CO2 emissions in the building sector. Among other projects, Wien Energie continues this approach in four pilot areas, in this way enabling many households to switch from gas to district heating.

The Vienna Culture Strategy 2030 contributes to developing ecological guidelines and quality standards for buildings dedicated to cultural purposes. The rehabilitation and enlargement of the Wien Museum in Karlsplatz square is an excellent example of climate-friendly building refurbishment.

An important element impacting the building sector lies in the mandatory implementation of EU directives and regulations updated for greater stringency, such as the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, the Gas Market Directive, the Renewable Energy Directive and the Energy Efficiency Directive, but also in the extension of the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS 2) and the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive for enterprises.

These implementation steps have halved greenhouse gas emissions in the building sector between 2005 and 2023 and brought about an even greater per-capita reduction.

Illustration that sketchily combines various elements related to buildings in the city: a multi-storey residential building with a green roof, a detached house with a heat pump, a man carrying out repairs with a hammer and nail, a comfortable armchair and various building sections that symbolize sustainability on the building, such as green façades, a photovoltaic roof and sustainable heating systems.

Highlights:

  • Emissions caused by space heating systems were reduced by 50% since 2005

  • The Phasing Out Gas implementation programme improves the framework conditions for the transition from gas and fuel oil to district heating and renewable energy sources

  • Switch to renewable energy sources and heat insulation for Vienna’s schools

  • The Vienna Heating Plan 2040 is a target vision on the way towards climate-neutral space and water heating

  • The 2023 amendment to the Vienna Building Code addresses climate-relevant topics and enhances the obligation to install photovoltaic panels in housing projects

  • Comprehensive ban on fossil fuel-powered heating systems for new buildings (federal law)

  • Simplified replacement of heating systems in existing buildings (Building Code for Vienna)

  • Record rehabilitation performance and more generously endowed subsidy programmes for thermal rehabilitation and heating system replacement

  • “100 Projects – Phasing out Gas” and WieNeu+ urban renewal programme: Lessons for the decarbonisation of existing buildings heated with fossil fuels

  • Four pilot areas for the strategic expansion of the district heating network were implemented by Wien Energie

  • Consultancy options to foster the heat transition are stepped up