The warming in Austria of 2 °C compared to the pre-industrial period (1850–1900) is approximately twice as high as the global average. The differing trajectories of the temperature curves are due to the lower rate of warming over the oceans as well as the size of the area under consideration. A further factor is the increased near-surface solar radiation in Austria.

To illustrate climate change, the global or regional rise in temperature over recent decades is often drawn upon, as the signal is clearly visible and the impacts are also distinctly perceptible for each individual (e.g. through more frequent hot days). Global climate targets (such as the Paris Agreement, with the goal of limiting warming to as close to 1.5 °C as possible compared to the pre-industrial period (1850–1900)), refer to a mean global temperature, which represents a robust indicator. It is therefore worthwhile to compare the national with the global temperature curve...

Read more in the fact sheet!