sustainable development in austria an overview
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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. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Sustainable development in AustriaAn overview
Sustainability field trip to Austria – September 2012
Graz, 11. September 2012 Marlene Mader, RCE Graz-Styria, University of Graz
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Sustainable development in…
Regional Centre of Expertise (RCE) Graz-Styria Sustainability field trip
Content
City of Graz
Austria
Province of Styria
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Austria
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• Population: 8.4 million• Area: 83 880 km2
• Capital: Vienna• Geography: mountainous
country (Alps), 2/3 of Austria are above 500 m
Regional Centre of Expertise (RCE) Graz-Styria Sustainability field trip
Austria – fact sheet
Source: Berufsfotografen Österreichs; www.photographer.at
• 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,…),
nature and tourism (winter sports & culture), food (Apfelstrudel, Wiener Schnitzel, Sachertorte, Red Bull…) and Viennese coffee traditions, …
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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
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– 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
Challenges the strategy needs to address:
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• 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
„Solutions“
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Quality of life in Austria1. Sustainable Life-style2. Opportunities for the
empowerment of all generations3. Gender equality4. Solutions through education and
research5. A descent life for present and future
generations
Austria as dynamic business location1. Innovative Structures Promote
Competitiveness2. A new understanding of business and
administration3. Correct prices for resources and energy4. Successful management through eco-
efficiency5. Strengthening sustainable products and
services
Living spaces in Austria 1. Protection of Environmental Media
und Climate2. Preserving the Diversity of Species
and Landscapes3. Responsible Use of Land and Regional
Development4. Shaping Sustainable Mobility5. Optimizing the Transport Systems
Austria’s responsibility 1. Fighting Poverty, Creating a Social and
Economic Balance2. A Globally Sustainable Economy3. Our World as a Living Space4. International Cooperation and Financing5. Sustainability Union Europe
4 integrative fields of action – 20 key objectives
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• Set of indicators for all 4 fields of action – but without concrete target values → difficult to assess
Regional Centre of Expertise (RCE) Graz-Styria Sustainability field trip
Fields of action – Set of indicators
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
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• Climate & energy fund– For innovative and sustainable climate solutions– Topics: renewable energy & energy efficiency / e-mobility /
Building & renovating
Regional Centre of Expertise (RCE) Graz-Styria Sustainability field trip
Further political sustainability initiatives
• 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
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• HUB Vienna– Co-working space and platform for exchange– meetings and workshops about sustainability topics– approx. 200 members (social entrepreneurs, academics..)
Regional Centre of Expertise (RCE) Graz-Styria Sustainability field trip
Other stakeholders, networks,…
• INEX – International Network für Educational Exchange– Summer universities in Costa Rica, Panama & Austria– Development of university courses on sustainability
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Styria
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Sustainable development in the province of Styria
Sources: Federal government of Styria: www.steiermark.at
Styria:- Population: 1.21 million (2011)- Area: 16 400 km2 (→ 57% are forests)
- 16 political districts, 542 municipalities
- Economic growth: 3.9 % (2011) – above average of Austria (3.0 %) The Styrian panther
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• 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
Sustainable development in the province of Styria
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• 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
Sustainable development in the province of Styria
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Salzkammergut / Ausseerland traditional handcrafts (esp. traditional dresses) and customs
Regional Centre of Expertise (RCE) Graz-Styria Sustainability field trip
Examples of sustainability in Styrian regions
Steirisches Vulkanlandparticipate regional development process & high quality products (food & handcrafts)
Holzwelt Murauhandcrafts – esp. processing of wood
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Graz
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• Capital of the province of Styria• Population: 267 000 inhabitants (2011), (forecasts for 2030:
288 000 inhabitants)• Area: 127 km2 (thereof 40% green spaces)
• UNESCO World Cultural Heritage
Regional Centre of Expertise (RCE) Graz-Styria Sustainability field trip
City of
Schloss Eggenberg (2010) – barock castle with imperical rooms and park
Historic center (1999) because of the well preserved city center and coherent roof landscape
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• 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
City of Graz – Characteristics and economic situation
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• City of Human Rights – since 2001– With the aim to respect human rights in allpolitical 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
City of Graz – City of human rights
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• Ecoprofit – Ecological Project for Integrated Environmental Technology
• Developed in 1991 by the Environmental Department and the Technical University Graz; for enterprises and municipalities
• Aims:
Regional Centre of Expertise (RCE) Graz-Styria Sustainability field trip
City of Graz - Ecoprofit
ScienceAdministration
Economy
Social acceptance
Economic dev.Cost reduction
Sust. productsEco-efficiency
– Environmental protection– Economic profit– Develop public-private-partnerships
→ focus on energy & resource efficiency and material flow analysis
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• 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
City of Graz - Ecoprofit
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• 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
City of Graz – Urban planning & development
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• Graz is one of the most popular bike cities in Austria; has around 120 km bike paths.
Regional Centre of Expertise (RCE) Graz-Styria Sustainability field trip
City of Graz – City of bicycles
45,2 %
19,9 %
18,8 %
16,1 %
Modal split in Graz
Private transportPublic transportPedestriansBicycle
Comparison: modal split in Austria & Sytria:
Private transport: 70 % 74 %Public transport: 23 % 12 %Pedestrians: 4 % 9 %Bicycle: 3 % 6 %
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• 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/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 rights city of Graz: www.etc-graz.at/typo3/index.php?id=1011#c2255 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
References