Dispute over climate plan

Gewessler vs. Edtstadler: fronts continue to harden

Both Minister Gewessler (Greens, right) and her government colleague Edtstadler (ÖVP) insist on their respective positions.

(Bild: APA, Krone KREATIV)

No agreement is emerging in the internal government dispute over the National Energy and Climate Plan (NEKP). On Sunday evening, Climate Minister Leonore Gewessler (Greens) once again called on Constitutional Minister Karoline Edtstadler (ÖVP) to give in in an interview on "ZiB 2". Edtstadler maintained her criticism on Monday that Gewessler had sent the NECP to Brussels without consulting her government partner.

In the respective NECPs, the EU member states outline how they intend to achieve their energy and climate targets for 2030. The final climate plan must be submitted to the EU Commission by June 2024. The EU countries had to submit a draft one year before this date so that the Commission can still make suggestions for improvement. The Climate Ministry did this in October, several months late.

Edtstadler's ministry withdrew the draft
Shortly afterwards, Edtstadler's ministry withdrew the draft on the grounds that it only reflected the position of the climate ministry and not that of the government. Gewessler disagreed: the other ministries had been involved in the NECP and their proposals had been taken on board.

Climate protection is simply about more than Ms. Gewessler's unilateral plans.

Verfassungsministerin Karoline Edtstadler (ÖVP)

Infringement proceedings against Austria
In December, the EU Commission opened infringement proceedings against Austria due to the lack of a draft. Last week, the Brussels authority then reminded us once again that Austria was the only country apart from Poland that had not yet officially submitted a draft NECP.

(Bild: stock.adobe.com)

On Sunday evening, Gewessler reiterated her position. "It would be very easy to simply withdraw this objection, then the European Commission can examine the (NECP; note)," said the Minister on "ZiB 2". "Then the infringement proceedings will be over."

Edtstadler is in Saudi Arabia
"It will finally have to happen (...) that we actually coordinate a national plan," Edtstadler replied to her on Monday from Saudi Arabia, where she is currently on a business trip. "Climate protection is simply about more than Ms. Gewessler's unilateral plans." A plan had to be presented that all affected departments had agreed to.

A transparent and constructive coordination process between all departments involved is required, said Labor Minister Martin Kocher (ÖVP) on Monday evening. There was agreement within the federal government on the goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2040. The specific way to achieve this and some technical formulations still need to be agreed in order to reach a political consensus.