It is better for climate if industry stays in Austria

On every tonne carbon dioxide that is blown into the air in Austria when producing steel, there are imported steel 2.09 tons. For every ton of greenhouse gas for the production of plastic, it is an average of 1.48 tons outside the country. The domestic industry works comparatively efficient and climate -friendly. This is the finding of a new study by the Institute of Industrial Ecology (IIÖ), which was carried out on behalf of the Oecolution Think Tank.

Good news: emissions go back

Compared to 2013, the first such study was carried out at the time, the country’s consumption-based emission record is 122 to 115 million tons of CO2 declined. With this calculation, the emissions of national production are combined with those of exports and imports. For 2000 products became Emissions in the entire process chain – analyzed from raw material to consumer product.

“Die good news is: the emissions are declining, “says IIÖ director Andreas Windsperger. In the emission balance, however, the Particularly increased proportion of importsfrom 32 to 34 percent. With industrial products that are imported from abroad, more emissions are caused. “In the sense of global climate protection, one is one Outsourcing emission -intensive steps as unadvancful“, says Windsperger. Production in Austria is simply more climate -friendly.

Bad news: ahead shrinks

Transports to import goods are less crucial. Rather, it is about Technical know-how. The fact that that also increases abroad can be recognized by the overall emissions. Austria has one in many areas projectionbut the endangered be. Keeping industrial companies in the country is better for the climate, but also for the preservation of prosperity and employment.

What levers do you have to secure the fundamentally positive development? The Rapid expansion of renewable energy Be one of the largest, says Oecolution managing director Elisabeth Zehetner. With it fight you the relative high energy costs sustainable. A structure of a hydrogen network is also important in order to give companies perspectives when switching natural gas.

Percise the gas supply and free trade agreements

However, because this will not run so quickly, you also have to make efforts to Care with cheap gas meet. Zehetner, for example, mentions the expansion of the Gaspipeline Wag Loop, which Import capacity would increase from the West. You should also quickly New partner for pipeline gas find, such as Azerbaijan.

According to Oecolution, the forcing of Free trade agreement. This allows the relatively climate -friendly Austrian products to be spread further. You also secure yourself through trade agreements Raw materialsthat you need for industry and energy transition.

Eliminate the hurdles to stay resilient

Zehetner also advocates the so -called “Gold Plating“Returned. Through that Overfill From climate protection goals “we build up unnecessary hurdles”. In summary, it could be said: “It has never been as important as now, the course for one Strong, resilient, sustainable economy To put. “Geopolitical tensions increase that protectionism is becoming more attractive for many countries.” Austria has good conditions, but we have to protect our location and we have to do something for that. ”