2023-12-02 13:03:28
Green Party leader Vice-Chancellor Werner Kogler has not yet given up on the climate protection law, which has been open for more than a thousand days: he is “confident” that it will come before the National Council election, Kogler confirmed on Saturday in the Ö1 “Mittagsjournal”. Meanwhile, the turquoise-green conflict over the National Energy and Climate Plan (NEKP) continues to smolder.
Kogler pointed out that the government had already passed several laws for climate protection, which had not been easy to fight for, but admitted that the climate protection law itself was still missing. “We need something that has an impact, and not just any Larifari,” emphasized the Vice Chancellor.
When it comes to climate goals, Kogler spoke of “huge progress,” although there is still a gap. A plan with suggestions on how to achieve the goals was sent to Brussels.
However, the National Energy and Climate Plan (NEKP) continues to cause strife within the coalition. After a delay, Climate Protection Minister Leonore Gewessler (Greens) finally sent a draft to the EU Commission in October, but European Minister Karoline Edtstadler (ÖVP) informed the Commission, according to “Kurier” (Saturday edition), that it was not a common Austrian one Position act.
People in Gewessler’s environment have no understanding for this and warn against infringement proceedings. “We created the draft, presented it to the public before the summer and now sent it to the EU Commission in October via the permanent representation in Brussels,” said a statement from Gewessler’s office. “The other ministries were of course also involved in the development,” it was emphasized. “The Commission was subsequently informed by the European Ministry that this plan was not the Austrian draft. According to our information, the draft will now not be evaluated and infringement proceedings will be initiated.” They don’t consider this to be effective, as there is a risk of high fines.
“A draft was sent to Brussels by Climate Protection Minister Gewessler, but it was not finally agreed with the other affected ministries within Austria,” replied Edtstadler’s cabinet. “We then had to inform the European Commission that it was only a draft of the BMK and that it did not correspond to the Austrian position.” There was no alternative to this step. “Especially on such a sensitive issue, there can be no green solo efforts; the consensus of the entire federal government is needed.”
At the request of the APA, a spokesman for the EU Commission said on Saturday that no infringement proceedings were currently planned. The Commission will examine the paper submitted by Austria by the end of the year; any necessary changes must be submitted by June 2024.
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