Sustainable development in Austria An overview Sustainability field

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 Austria Sustainable development in… Province of Styria City of Graz Regional Centre of Expertise (RCE) Graz-Styria Sustainability field trip 2

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

Austria – fact sheet • • Population: 8. 4 million Area: 83 880 km 2 Capital: Vienna Geography: mountainous country (Alps), 2/3 of Austria are above 500 m • Economy: Austria is the 11 th richest country in the world (in terms of GDP); HDI: 19 th place • Austria is famous for: music & culture (Mozart, Beethoven, Strauss, Wiener Philharmoniker, Klimt, Schiele, …), 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 4

The Austrian Strategy for Sustainable Development • Developed in 2002 by the Austrian Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Management • Based on Rio declarations (1992 & 2002), EU strategy for sustainable development, Aalborg Charta Source: Austrian Strategy for Sustaianbility, 2002 Regional Centre of Expertise (RCE) Graz-Styria Sustainability field trip 5

Challenges the strategy needs to address: Climate change Loss of biodiversity Increasing conurbation and the sealing of green surfaces increase in civilization diseases demographic development (e. g. gender equality, integration of immigrants, ageing population, …) – Energy intensive consumption habits –… – – – → A variety of „solutions“ to solve these challenges… Regional Centre of Expertise (RCE) Graz-Styria Sustainability field trip 6

„Solutions“ • • • Implementing the precautionary principle Maintaining diversity Aiming for integrative solutions Creating scope for innovations Living the model of fairness and solidarity Enhancing knowledge and desire Assuring quality and health Supporting regionality and subsidiarity Enhancing local identity Supporting participation and networking Achieving efficiency and effectiveness through cost fairness Guaranteeing further development and permanent learning Regional Centre of Expertise (RCE) Graz-Styria Sustainability field trip 7

Austria as dynamic business location Quality of life in Austria 1. Sustainable Life-style 2. Opportunities for the empowerment of all generations 3. Gender equality 4. Solutions through education and research 5. A descent life for present and future generations 1. Innovative Structures Promote Competitiveness 2. A new understanding of business and administration 3. Correct prices for resources and energy 4. Successful management through ecoefficiency 5. Strengthening sustainable products and services 4 integrative fields of action – 20 key objectives Living spaces in Austria 1. Protection of Environmental Media und Climate 2. Preserving the Diversity of Species and Landscapes 3. Responsible Use of Land Regional Development 4. Shaping Sustainable Mobility 5. Optimizing the Transport Systems Regional Centre of Expertise (RCE) Graz-Styria Austria’s responsibility 1. Fighting Poverty, Creating a Social and Economic Balance 2. A Globally Sustainable Economy 3. Our World as a Living Space 4. International Cooperation and Financing 5. Sustainability Union Europe Sustainability field trip 8

Fields of action – Set of indicators • 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 9

Further political sustainability initiatives • Climate & energy fund – For innovative and sustainable climate solutions – Topics: renewable energy & energy efficiency / e-mobility / Building & renovating • Sustainability Award – To empower and value the sustainability efforts of HE institutions – 8 categories in HE; Uni Graz won 5 awards (2008, 2010, 2012) • Forum Umweltbildung (Forum for environmental education) – Financed by Austrian ministries; network of partners, schools, NGOs, … – Projects and activities in environmental education & education for sustainable development Regional Centre of Expertise (RCE) Graz-Styria Sustainability field trip 10

Other stakeholders, networks, … • HUB Vienna – Co-working space and platform for exchange – meetings and workshops about sustainability topics – approx. 200 members (social entrepreneurs, academics. . ) • INEX – International Network für Educational Exchange – Summer universities in Costa Rica, Panama & Austria – Development of university courses on sustainability Regional Centre of Expertise (RCE) Graz-Styria Sustainability field trip 11

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

Sustainable development in the province of Styria: - Population: 1. 21 million (2011) - Area: 16 400 km 2 (→ 57% are forests) - 16 political districts, 542 municipalities - Economic growth: 3. 9 % (2011) – above average of Austria (3. 0 %) The Styrian panther Sources: Federal government of Styria: www. steiermark. at Regional Centre of Expertise (RCE) Graz-Styria Sustainability field trip 13

Sustainable development in the province of Styria • Different federal strategies: – Energy strategy Styria, economic strategy Styria, Styrian climate protection plan, rural development strategy, `Charta for living togehter 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 14

Sustainable development in the province of Styria • A variety of awareness raising activities and initiatives: – Different fact sheets (how to live, work, travel, shop sustainably) – Sustainability glossary – Different topic focuses (CSR, ecological footprint, ‚G‘scheit feiern‘ (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 15

Examples of sustainability in Styrian regions Salzkammergut / Ausseerland traditional handcrafts (esp. traditional dresses) and customs Steirisches Vulkanland participate regional development process & high quality products (food & handcrafts) Holzwelt Murau handcrafts – esp. processing of wood Regional Centre of Expertise (RCE) Graz-Styria Sustainability field trip 16

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

City of • Capital of the province of Styria • Population: 267 000 inhabitants (2011), (forecasts for 2030: 288 000 inhabitants) • Area: 127 km 2 (thereof 40% green spaces) • UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Historic center (1999) because of the well preserved city center and coherent roof landscape Regional Centre of Expertise (RCE) Graz-Styria Schloss Eggenberg (2010) – barock castle with imperical rooms and park Sustainability field trip 18

City of Graz – Characteristics and economic situation • 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 19

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 20

City of Graz - Ecoprofit • Ecoprofit – Ecological Project for Integrated Environmental Technology • Developed in 1991 by the Environmental Department and the Technical University Graz; for enterprises and municipalities • Aims: Economy – Environmental protection – Economic profit – Develop public-privatepartnerships → focus on energy & resource efficiency and material flow analysis Regional Centre of Expertise (RCE) Graz-Styria Sustainability field trip Administration Social acceptance Economic dev. Cost reduction Science Sust. products Eco-efficiency 21

City of Graz - Ecoprofit • 2012: 53 enterprises participated in the Ecoprofit program • Emissions and waste savings in 20 years Ecoprofit: – – – 17. 7 million m 3 water 2. 2 million tons CO 2 16. 9 million liters fuel and fuel oil 115. 8 million m 3 natural gas 480 600 mwh electricity 177 000 tons waste Regional Centre of Expertise (RCE) Graz-Styria Sustainability field trip 22

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 23

City of Graz – City of bicycles • Graz is one of the most popular bike cities in Austria; has around 120 km bike paths. Modal split in Graz 16, 1 % 18, 8 % 45, 2 % 19, 9 % Comparison: modal split in Austria & Sytria: Private transport: 70 % Public transport: 23 % Pedestrians: 4% Bicycle: 3% Regional Centre of Expertise (RCE) Graz-Styria Sustainability field trip Private transport Public transport Pedestrians Bicycle 74 % 12 % 9% 6% 24

References • • • City of Graz: www. graz. at Climate and energy fund: www. klimafonds. gv. at (in German only) Ecoprofit: www. oekostadt. graz. at/cms/ziel/1939183/DE/ (in German only) Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Management (2002) Austrian Strategy for Sustainable Development, http: //www. nachhaltigkeit. at/articleview/72167/1/26469/ (pdf: The Austrian strategy) Forum Umweltbildung: www. umweltbildung. at/english/background. html HUB Vienna: http: //vienna. the-hub. net/ Human rights city of Graz: www. etc-graz. at/typo 3/index. php? id=1011#c 2255 and www. menschenrechtsstadt. at (in German only) INEX: www. inex. org Styrian government: www. steiermark. at (in German only) Sustainability award: 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 25