A Portrait of a Trailblazer

Hemma Opis-Pieber: “I was a pioneer in everything”

Sustainability pioneer Hemma Opis-Pieber, as environmental officer for the Diocese of Graz-Seckau, has made cemeteries greener and parish festivals more sustainable. Her passion project, the Austria-wide “Car Fast,” is currently celebrating its 20th anniversary.

“My motivation came from my inner conviction and the future of my children. I wanted to show them that every single person can make a difference,” says Hemma Opis-Pieber. Today, she is retired and looks back on a life as a sustainability pioneer. In 2004, after several years of volunteer work, she was appointed environmental officer for the Diocese of Graz-Seckau. Together with the Protestant Church, she then decided to establish “Car Fasting” in Styria, following the German model.

Right away, 700 participants signed up for the project; after a few years, there were more than 8,000 Styrian participants. “A success no one would have expected. Especially since I had no experience with project management—except as a mother of four,” smiles the Styrian.

Originally a special education teacher, a three-month “Bible school” in Israel sparked her interest in studying theology—in Vienna, Munich, and Graz. During her studies, she married and gave birth to her first two children. She completed her degree with a thesis on “The Foundations and Practice of Christian Environmental Responsibility” under the guidance of ethicist Kurt Remele.

“Even back then, it bothered me that devout people who believe in a world created by God treat it with so little care. Praying and drinking Coke from a can—to me, that just didn’t add up intuitively,” says Opis-Pieber. At home, her family lived differently: a vegetable box from the farmer, milk in glass bottles, no vacations by plane.

It wasn’t until 2005 that the necessary budget was available for a position within the diocese. Opis-Pieber’s professional life was marked by constant, persistent advocacy. A struggle to establish “stewardship of creation” as a fundamental ethos within her own ranks. A task in which she was, however, always supported by dedicated volunteers and committed colleagues.

As head of the “Sustainability Working Group” and spokesperson for Austria’s environmental officers, she succeeded in introducing environmental parish councils in Styrian parishes and established an environmental award. She ensured sustainable supply chains and a climate and energy strategy for the diocese. She made cemeteries greener and parish festivals more organic. “As a Church, it is our mission to serve life,” she says.

She is especially grateful to all the women and men who have accompanied her on her journey and who continue to carry her ideas forward today. And to Pope Francis, who has set very clear priorities regarding responsibility for creation. “But now I’m glad that my work is in the hands of others,” says the retiree. With children and grandchildren under one roof, she can now continue her environmental advocacy in her private life. “Of course, I haven’t set aside my convictions just because I’ve retired,” she smiles.