Vienna climate model: Citizens actively shape their green future!

Vienna climate model: Citizens actively shape their green future!

In Vienna, climate protection is very important: The Vídeňský klimatický tým enables citizens to actively participate in solutions to improve their living environment. The innovative project has now reached its fourth cycle and is also including additional districts in the initiative for the first time.

The City of Vienna makes suggestions and works closely with experts to implement them. The focus is on four central topic areas: ecological mobility, sustainable living, the use of renewable energies and climate-friendly public spaces. Every autumn, citizens can submit their ideas, and around 4,000 suggestions have been received in the past three years.

Successful implementation and participation

Of the ideas submitted, 282 have already been selected for further development, with 53 proposals being recommended for implementation. The project is already being successfully implemented in nine city districts, including Margareten, Mariahilf and Alsergrund. New additions this year are the districts of Josefstadt and Penzing, which are enthusiastically participating.

“We attach great importance to reaching those people who have less time or resources,” explains the responsible city councilor Jürgen Czernohorszky. In addition, information about possible climate protection measures that citizens can take themselves will be increased.

The final projects for the districts of Alsergrund, Meidling and Rudolfsheim-Fünfhaus are currently being selected; the results of the current cycle will be presented before the end of June.

Climate protection requires community commitment

The initiative in Vienna shows how important cities can act as actors in climate protection. A look beyond the borders shows that Berlin is also considered a pioneer in climate protection. Loud berlin.de Carbon dioxide emissions fell by around a third between 1990 and 2016. Nevertheless, it is clear that the efforts made so far are not sufficient to sustainably combat global warming.

Cities are responsible for around 70 percent of global CO2 emissions. Decisive action is therefore crucial to meeting the challenges of climate change. This shows that greater involvement of the population, as implemented in Vienna, is of utmost importance not only locally but also at an international level.

The Vienna initiative is a step in the right direction and heralds a new era of interaction between the city administration and citizens. We can only hope that the commitment finds many imitators!