"CliA" is the Austrian State Prize for Climate Change Adaptation, awarded for the first time in 2024. It was established to highlight the importance of adaptation as the second pillar of climate policy.
As the highest state distinction, the prize puts a spotlight on particularly exemplary climate change adaptation projects and recognises those actors who have successfully implemented measures and projects in line with the criteria for good climate change adaptation. Through positive examples, the competition provides an incentive for other actors to actively drive forward their own measures and projects for climate change adaptation.
"CliA – Austrian State Prize for Climate Change Adaptation" is supported by the Federal Ministry for Agriculture, Forestry, Climate and Environment, Regions and Water Management (BMLUK) and the Climate and Energy Fund.
Aim of the competition
The impacts of climate change are becoming increasingly noticeable worldwide and in Austria too. Consequences such as temperature extremes, heatwaves, drought, heavy rainfall and flooding events pose enormous challenges for all of us.
To reduce or avoid the impacts of climate change, active and ambitious climate protection must go hand in hand with the planning and implementation of forward-looking, long-term adaptation measures. If this doesn't happen, considerable damage and costs are to be expected. Even if greenhouse gas emissions were to stop completely, climate change and all its negative effects would continue to progress due to the long residence time of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Adaptation as the second pillar of climate policy is unavoidable.
"CliA – Austrian State Prize for Climate Change Adaptation" recognises particularly effective and sustainable solutions in the forward-looking management of climate change impacts that contribute to good adaptation practice and avoid maladaptation.
These are the award winners in the categories: Flooding / Heavy Rainfall, Heat / Drought, Exemplary Business Projects and Innovative Tools & Methods.
