Mission Statement

Vienna ranks among the most liveable major cities in the world. To ensure that this remains the case, the City is confronting the major challenges of our time. Human beings have persistently and ruthlessly exploited natural resources. The climate crisis, species extinction and unstable commodity prices are symptoms of a resource crisis that has become one of the central challenges of the 21st century.

Vienna in the Era of the Resource Transition

A resource transition is essential if we are to secure a good life on Earth. The City of Vienna is doing its part, for many of the levers of a resource-saving approach lie in municipal hands and can strengthen environmental protection and security of supply, particularly at the regional level. At the global level, too, Vienna assumes responsibility by striving for maximum resource saving in order to reduce the negative impacts of human activity on the planet.

Vienna offers favourable conditions for enabling everyone to live in a resource-saving way. These include high urban density, vibrant Grätzl (local neighbourhoods), a well-maintained drinking water supply, public transport and affordable housing. These examples show that Vienna has long valued communal use and the preservation of what already exists. To carry forward these traditional Viennese values and historic achievements in the face of current challenges, new tools and strategic guidance are required.

Strategic Foundations and Focal Points

The circular economy is a key tool for reducing the city’s material consumption and the associated greenhouse gas emissions and environmental impacts. Vienna’s climate policy is therefore built on three pillars: climate mitigation, climate adaptation and the circular economy. The strategy “Circular Vienna– the Strategy to Save Resources in Our City” outlines Vienna’s approach to the circular economy and provides the cross-sectoral strategic foundations for its implementation.

“Circular Vienna – the Strategy to Save Resources in Our City” is intended to help drive Vienna’s transformation into a circular city. The strategy’s focal points describe the city’s potential for a resource-saving approach and for the circular economy, as well as the City of Vienna’s most significant levers. The strategy builds on the City’s existing work and experience while also identifying where gaps remain and where further action is needed.

This is the first coordinated, cross-sectoral synthesis of municipal lines of action that defines where Vienna intends to take account of aspects of a resource-saving approach and the circular economy in the future. The principles, objectives and focal points are based on the municipal programmes and strategies under the umbrella of the Smart Climate City Strategy Vienna. The strategy is aligned with national and European requirements: some of these have already been initiated - here, adjustments and refinements can be made; others still need to be implemented through appropriate processes.

“Circular Vienna – the Strategy to Save Resources in Our City” was developed in a citywide process lasting just under one and a half years, with the participation of experts from across the City of Vienna, its companies and its enterprises, and was adopted by the City Council on October 22, 2025.