Expand protection measures against extreme weather events

Due to global warming, more frequent and severe extreme weather events are also occurring in Austria. These include floods, extreme rainfall, or hail.

Regierungsprogramm 2025-29 auto-translated using AI

Climate Change Adaptation and Protection Against Natural Hazards

• In addition to reducing emissions, adaptation strategies and protective measures against the effects of climate change are being developed. We are also finding answers to consistently combat heatwaves in cities.
• The binding nature and the probability of implementation of the measures provided for in the climate change adaptation strategy are increased, and climate change adaptation is more strongly institutionalised.
• The anticipation and mitigation of increasingly occurring extreme weather events through appropriate (nationwide) overall strategies.
• Establishment of a Task Force "Climate Change Adaptation – Future-Proof Austria", consisting of representatives from science and technology to advise the federal government.
• In close cooperation with science and practice, the federal government is working to make climate risk analyses/assessments and hazard and risk maps available to the public and especially to municipalities and communities free of charge and in an easily understandable or interpretable form at regional and local level.
• Promotion of Europe-wide cooperation and knowledge exchange on climate change adaptation and rapid implementation of the European Strategy for Climate Change Adaptation.
• European Disaster and Civil Protection: enhanced European cooperation in disaster and civil protection.
• The experiences of the existing climate change adaptation model regions (KLAR!) and the climate and energy model regions (KEM) serve as models for further focal points of action.
• Strengthening and further expansion of the successful funding programme "KLAR!".
• The increase in extreme weather events requires a strengthening of protective measures (especially in ecological and technical flood protection and in protection forests) and more resilient natural spaces (including in the form of climate-fit forests and the preservation of green spaces and heat-resistant trees in urban greening).
• We are adapting the infrastructure through structural and landscape planning precautions to meet the increased risks of flooding and storms.
• The provision of areas for protection against natural hazards (e.g. flood protection measures) should be facilitated by creating appropriate framework conditions.
• Ensuring a suitable framework for efficient and economical sediment management and support for dealing with driftwood after disaster events.
• Overall, it is necessary to make public infrastructure in particular more adaptable to global warming and extreme weather.
• The federal government is committed to heat protection as climate adaptation and promotes the greening of urban centres.