Gam, Y. (2020). Reviewing achievability and ambition of Austria’s climate goal – a comparative analysis with German policy [Master Thesis, Technische Universität Wien; Diplomatische Akademie Wien]. reposiTUm. https://doi.org/10.34726/hss.2020.80649
The aggregate global efforts to deal with climate change are not yet sufficient to keep the temperature increase below 2 degrees, not to mention 1.5 degrees from the pre-industrial levels. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement builds the framework for global efforts, but national efforts supported by sub-national entities are essential to deal with the global challenge. To this end, this thesis will review whether Austria’s 2030 and 2040 goals are ambitious enough and could be achieved by comparing policy developments in Germany. First, the thesis will look at the global and the European climate policy framework, followed by Germany’s and Austria’s national framework, and then targets and recent updates of measures in both countries will be compared. There have been major updates in all layers in the recent years, with the submission or drafting of the 2030 climate plans by the EU member states and the EU’s Green Deal that set an ambitious goal of carbon neutrality by 2050. Second, this thesis will look at the current status of GHG emissions at the global, European and national levels, and analyze achievability of the 2030 goals and long-term goals (2040 for Austria, 2050 for Germany) of carbon neutrality in Germany and Austria. Third, the thesis will look at the very recent national political changes that have been taking place in Germany and Austria and at the awareness and ambition of major actors. To reflect upon the very recent changes, the thesis will consider how the unforeseen economic downturns linked to the COVID-19 crisis might affect ambitions. The thesis will also look at measures that are being discussed, such as carbon pricing, and measures that could be discussed, such as further investment in technologies and innovation. By comparing the climate policies and the status of Germany and Austria and their status of implementation, this thesis might be able to provide political impetus and direction for policymakers in Austria. Additionally, this comparison study could provide insights and inspiration for policymakers for other parts of the world.