Web links to the Ref-NEKP via the online library of the ÖAW publishing house: Executive Summary, Vision 2050 and Implementation Pathways, Complete Volume.
On the initiative of Gottfried Kirchengast (Uni Graz, ÖAW), the scientific representative on the National Climate Protection Committee (NKK), and Helga Kromp-Kolb (BOKU), Karl Steininger (Uni Graz) and Sigrid Stagl (WU), a reference plan was developed as a basis for a scientifically sound National Energy and Climate Plan for Austria that is in line with the Paris climate targets (Ref-NEKP), under the scientific coordination of Mathias Kirchner (BOKU). Version 1 was submitted to the NKK on 8 July 2019, following a brief commenting period. A further consolidated version was published in the form of an Executive Summary and complete volume in September 2019, presented to the public, and supplemented in November 2019 with the Vision 2050 and Implementation Pathways booklet. Edited final versions were published by ÖAW press (PDFs available for download online, see above).
In keeping with good scientific practice in the science–policy dialogue, this is not a plan that prescribes what ought to be done politically, but rather a presentation of possible implementation pathways through which Austria can achieve its fair and appropriate contribution to the Paris climate targets (keyword: policy relevant, not policy prescriptive).
Steering Committee:
Gottfried Kirchengast (Uni Graz, ÖAW), Helga Kromp-Kolb (BOKU), Karl Steininger (Uni Graz), Sigrid Stagl (WU)
Scientific Coordination: Mathias Kirchner (BOKU)
Project Steps:
- Project idea and launch: end of April 2019
- First commenting process on the paper within the scientific community was completed at the end of June 2019.
- 1 July 2019: Submission of Ref-NEKP Version 1 to the National Climate Protection Committee (NKK)
- 2 July 2019: Press conference to present Version 1. - Review: Press conference and Version 1
- The NKK meeting took place on Monday, 8 July 2019.
- Second commenting phase for the scientific community: 14 to 28 August 2019
- Publication of the Ref-NEKP on 9 September 2019 as part of a press conference
- Softcover, edited and fully citable publication by ÖAW press at the end of 2019
Information on the Published Version of the Ref-NEKP:
The published version of the Ref-NEKP is a revised edition of Version 1. In addition to numerous updates in the introductory chapters 1 and 2, it incorporates further comments and feedback from experts, some new literature, and in particular the scenario results from an expert workshop held in early August. On this basis, Chapter 3 of the published version outlines various possible values-based implementation pathways in line with the Paris 1.5°C target and highlights minimum sets of measures considered essential for each implementation pathway.
In addition to the complete document, two concise booklets — "Executive Summary" and "Vision 2050 and Implementation Pathways" — were also produced to provide a quick overview of the key information in the Ref-NEKP. Both booklets and the Ref-NEKP complete volume have been published by the Austrian Academy of Sciences (ÖAW) press and are fully citable (see web links under the PDF download buttons at the top of the page).