1 / 25

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.

bell
Download Presentation

Sustainable development in Austria An overview

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript


  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

More Related