With more planning and innovation, the energy transition would be cheaper

Stimulate innovation

“A key factor that will allow us to keep costs as low as possible will be innovation,” says Cuaresma. With current measures, costs for the energy transition can be expected to amount to 8 percent of gross domestic product by 2050. If Austria manages to give research and development a boost, the costs could increase 2.9 percent of GDP be limited. Costs are currently particularly high because there is a discrepancy between the goals set and the regulatory adjustments necessary for them.

Ambitions can hardly be fulfilled

“The level of ambition does not match the specific infrastructure expansion,” explains Alexander Moser-ParapatitsHead of Innovation and Strategy at Austria Metall AG (AMAG). At national and EU level, companies are given requirements that they cannot implement in practice due to excessive bureaucracy and slow approval processes.

High spending on CO₂Certificates would reduce competitiveness compared to companies from other regions of the world – which already suffers from high energy and wage costs.

Companies would be motivated

Sea Martin OhnebergCEO of the automotive supplier Henn Group, many companies are highly motivated to reduce emissions. “But if general conditions are constantly changing, it is very difficult to bring green hydrogen to Austria.” Many measures are intended to be short-term, while a long-term, holistic plan would make more sense and provide more planning security.

Climate plan for Austria presented

The study includes a “climate plan for Austria”. five points described. In addition to formulating long-term emission reduction paths for all sectors and establishing constant monitoring, this includes rapid approvals and clear coordination of regulations and funding. Innovations should particularly be in the area of ​​renewable energies and CO₂-Separation and storage are promoted. The CO₂However, pricing should be designed in such a way that “carbon leakage”, i.e. the migration of industry to less strictly regulated markets, is prevented.

When evaluating current climate policy, one should not have blinders on, appeals Moser-Parapatits. “There are no God-given taxes.” According to Henn, companies should be given more trust and freedom in order to maintain prosperity. Cuaresma is convinced: “We need long-term goals that are also credible. It would be good if we had the understanding at a national level that climate policy can be planned.”