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Sustainable development in Austria An overview

Sustainable development in Austria An overview. Sustainability field trip to Austria – September 2012 Graz, 11. September 2012 Marlene Mader, RCE Graz- Styria , University of Graz. Content. Sustainable development in…. Austria. Province of Styria. City of Graz. Austria.

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Sustainable development in Austria An overview

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  1. Sustainabledevelopment in AustriaAn overview Sustainabilityfieldtripto Austria – September 2012 Graz, 11. September 2012 Marlene Mader, RCE Graz-Styria, University of Graz

  2. Content Sustainabledevelopment in… Austria ProvinceofStyria City of Graz Regional Centre of Expertise (RCE) Graz-Styria Sustainability field trip

  3. Austria Regional Centre of Expertise (RCE) Graz-Styria Sustainability field trip

  4. Austria – factsheet • Economy: Austria is the 11th richest country in the world (in terms of GDP); HDI: 19th place • Austria is famous for: music & culture (Mozart, Beethoven, Strauss, Wiener Philharmoniker, Klimt, Schiele,…), • Population: 8.4 million • Area: 83 880 km2 • Capital: Vienna • Geography: mountainous country (Alps), 2/3 of Austria are above 500 m nature and tourism (winter sports & culture), food (Apfelstrudel, Wiener Schnitzel, Sachertorte, Red Bull…) and Viennese coffee traditions, … Source: Berufsfotografen Österreichs; www.photographer.at Regional Centre of Expertise (RCE) Graz-Styria Sustainability field trip

  5. The Austrian StrategyforSustainable Development • Developed in 2002 bythe Austrian Federal Ministryof Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Management • Based on Rio declarations(1992 & 2002), EU strategyforsustainabledevelopment, Aalborg Charta Source: Austrian StrategyforSustaianbility, 2002 Regional Centre of Expertise (RCE) Graz-Styria Sustainability field trip

  6. Challengesthestrategyneedstoaddress: • Climatechange • Loss ofbiodiversity • Increasing conurbation and the sealing of green surfaces • increase in civilizationdiseases • demographicdevelopment (e.g. genderequality, integrationofimmigrants, ageingpopulation, …) • Energy intensive consumptionhabits • … → A varietyof „solutions“ tosolvethesechallenges… Regional Centre of Expertise (RCE) Graz-Styria Sustainability field trip

  7. „Solutions“ • Implementingtheprecautionaryprinciple • Maintainingdiversity • Aimingfor integrative solutions • Creatingscopeforinnovations • Living the model of fairness and solidarity • Enhancingknowledgeanddesire • Assuringqualityandhealth • Supportingregionalityandsubsidiarity • Enhancinglocalidentity • Supportingparticipationandnetworking • Achieving efficiency and effectiveness through cost fairness • Guaranteeing further development and permanent learning Regional Centre of Expertise (RCE) Graz-Styria Sustainability field trip

  8. Austria as dynamic business location • Innovative Structures Promote Competitiveness • A new understanding of business and administration • Correct prices for resources and energy • Successful management through eco-efficiency • Strengthening sustainable products and services Quality of life in Austria • Sustainable Life-style • Opportunities for the empowerment of all generations • Gender equality • Solutions through education and research • A descent life for present and future generations 4 integrative fieldsofaction – 20 keyobjectives Living spaces in Austria • Protection of Environmental Media und Climate • Preserving the Diversity of Species and Landscapes • Responsible Use of Land and Regional Development • Shaping Sustainable Mobility • Optimizing the Transport Systems Austria’s responsibility • Fighting Poverty, Creating a Social and Economic Balance • A Globally Sustainable Economy • Our World as a Living Space • International Cooperation and Financing • Sustainability Union Europe Regional Centre of Expertise (RCE) Graz-Styria Sustainability field trip

  9. Fields ofaction– Set ofindicators • Set of indicators for all 4 fields of action – but without concrete target values → difficult to assess Sustainable development is seen as a social process • Besides political standards and technological change, • a fundamental shift in values and change of behavior of people is required Regional Centre of Expertise (RCE) Graz-Styria Sustainability field trip

  10. Further politicalsustainability initiatives • Climate & energyfund • For innovative andsustainableclimatesolutions • Topics: renewableenergy & energyefficiency / e-mobility / Building & renovating • Sustainability Award • Toempowerandvaluethesustainabilityeffortsof HE institutions • 8categories in HE; Uni Graz won 5 awards (2008, 2010, 2012) • Forum Umweltbildung (Forumfor environmental education) • Financedby Austrian ministries; networkofpartners, schools, NGOs,… • Projects andactivities in environmental education & educationforsustainabledevelopment Regional Centre of Expertise (RCE) Graz-Styria Sustainability field trip

  11. Other stakeholders, networks,… • HUB Vienna • Co-workingspaceandplatformforexchange • meetingsandworkshopsaboutsustainabilitytopics • approx. 200 members (socialentrepreneurs, academics..) • INEX – International Network für Educational Exchange • Summer universities in Costa Rica, Panama & Austria • Development ofuniversitycourses on sustainability Regional Centre of Expertise (RCE) Graz-Styria Sustainability field trip

  12. Styria Regional Centre of Expertise (RCE) Graz-Styria Sustainability field trip

  13. Sustainabledevelopment in theprovinceofStyria • Styria: • Population: 1.21 million (2011) • Area: 16 400 km2 (→ 57% areforests) • 16 politicaldistricts, 542 municipalities • Economicgrowth: 3.9 % (2011) – aboveaverageof Austria (3.0 %) The Styrianpanther Sources: Federal governmentofStyria: www.steiermark.at Regional Centre of Expertise (RCE) Graz-Styria Sustainability field trip

  14. Sustainabledevelopment in theprovinceofStyria • Different federalstrategies: • EnergystrategyStyria, economicstrategyStyria, Styrianclimateprotection plan, rural developmentstrategy, `Charta forlivingtogehter in diversity`, … • Actors & partners: • LA 21 network, sustainability coordination at the Styrian government, Eco World Styria network, WIN, partners for energy efficiency and waste disposal, centre for environmental education ,….) Regional Centre of Expertise (RCE) Graz-Styria Sustainability field trip

  15. Sustainabledevelopment in theprovinceofStyria • A varietyofawarenessraisingactivitiesand initiatives: • Different fact sheets (how to live, work, travel, shop sustainably) • Sustainability glossary • Different topic focuses (CSR, ecological footprint, ‚G‘scheitfeiern‘ (celebrate smart), Alpine World Ski Championships 2013,…) • Publications (information brochures, multi media) • Playful sustainability (videos, ppt animations, stories) • Sustainability quizzes (measure ecological footprint, sustainability reports, check sustainability of projects) Regional Centre of Expertise (RCE) Graz-Styria Sustainability field trip

  16. Examplesofsustainability in Styrianregions Salzkammergut / Ausseerland traditional handcrafts (esp. traditional dresses) andcustoms Steirisches Vulkanland participateregional developmentprocess& high qualityproducts (food & handcrafts) HolzweltMurau handcrafts – esp. processingofwood Regional Centre of Expertise (RCE) Graz-Styria Sustainability field trip

  17. Graz Regional Centre of Expertise (RCE) Graz-Styria Sustainability field trip

  18. City of • Capital oftheprovinceofStyria • Population: 267 000 inhabitants (2011), (forecastsfor 2030: 288 000 inhabitants) • Area: 127 km2 (thereof 40% greenspaces) • UNESCO World Cultural Heritage • Historiccenter(1999) becauseofthewellpreservedcitycenterandcoherent • roof • landscape • Schloss Eggenberg (2010) – barock castlewithimpericalroomsand park Regional Centre of Expertise (RCE) Graz-Styria Sustainability field trip

  19. City of Graz – Characteristicsandeconomicsituation • 40 % of the economic performance of Styria are generated in Graz. • Graz is known for education & research (4 universities and 1 university of applied science), and economy • Automobile cluster (Magna Steyr, AVL,… - approx. 180 partner enterprises with 40 000 staff) • Energy and environmental technology (cluster Eco World Styria – approx. 200 enterprises) • Human technology and bioengineering (cooperation science & economy, approx. 70 partners) • Creative industries (City of design and several activities) Regional Centre of Expertise (RCE) Graz-Styria Sustainability field trip

  20. City of Graz – City of human rights • City of Human Rights – since 2001 • With the aim to respect human rights in all political decisions and activities. • The city has to fulfill certain criteria (i.e. foster the respect of human rights in all aspects of daily life, establish networks for exchange and learning, …) • Awareness raising campaigns and establishment of an advisory board • Resume of the advisory board: to some extent disappointing results (e.g. begging was forbidden,…) Regional Centre of Expertise (RCE) Graz-Styria Sustainability field trip

  21. City of Graz - Ecoprofit • Ecoprofit– EcologicalProject forIntegrated Environmental Technology • Developed in 1991 bythe Environmental Department andthe Technical University Graz; forenterprisesandmunicipalities • Aims: Economy Science Administration • Environmental protection • Economicprofit • Developpublic-private-partnerships → focus on energy & resourceefficiencyand material flowanalysis Social acceptance Economicdev. Costreduction Sust. products Eco-efficiency Regional Centre of Expertise (RCE) Graz-Styria Sustainability field trip

  22. City of Graz - Ecoprofit • 2012: 53 enterprises participated in the Ecoprofit program • Emissions and waste savings in 20 years Ecoprofit: • 17.7 million m3 water • 2.2 million tons CO2 • 16.9 million liters fuel and fuel oil • 115.8 million m3 natural gas • 480 600 mwh electricity • 177 000 tons waste Regional Centre of Expertise (RCE) Graz-Styria Sustainability field trip

  23. City of Graz – Urban planning & development • Smart cities → pilot project for energy efficiency and climate adaptation; development of demonstration projects and a roadmap for a sustainable smart city; focus on communication • ‚Density dialogue‘→ raising awareness of the need for dense cities to guarantee quality of life (esp. in regards to population growth forecasts) • Revitalising of urban courtyards → important small green spaces for inhabitants (quality of life & biodiversity) • Revitalising of specific city districts and streets Regional Centre of Expertise (RCE) Graz-Styria Sustainability field trip

  24. City of Graz – City of bicycles • Graz isoneofthemostpopular bike cities in Austria; hasaround 120 km bike paths. Comparison: modal split in Austria & Sytria: Private transport: 70 % 74 % Public transport: 23 % 12 % Pedestrians: 4 % 9 % Bicycle: 3 % 6 % Regional Centre of Expertise (RCE) Graz-Styria Sustainability field trip

  25. References • City of Graz: www.graz.at • Climateandenergyfund: www.klimafonds.gv.at (in German only) • Ecoprofit: www.oekostadt.graz.at/cms/ziel/1939183/DE/ (in German only) • Federal MinistryofAgriculture,Forestry, Environment andWaterManagement (2002) Austrian StrategyforSustainable Development, http://www.nachhaltigkeit.at/article/articleview/72167/1/26469/ (pdf: The Austrian strategy) • Forum Umweltbildung: www.umweltbildung.at/english/background.html • HUB Vienna: http://vienna.the-hub.net/ • Human rightscityof Graz: www.etc-graz.at/typo3/index.php?id=1011#c2255andwww.menschenrechtsstadt.at (in German only) • INEX: www.inex.org • Styriangovernment: www.steiermark.at (in German only) • Sustainabilityaward: www.bmwf.gv.at/startseite/wissenschaft/national/nachhaltigkeit/ (Website in German, but pdf in English (downloads) Regional Centre of Expertise (RCE) Graz-Styria Sustainability field trip

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