Climate Change and Energy Utilities: Key Indicators and Impact of the Economic Crisis

For the second time in a row, WIFO presents a series of key indicators designed to provide transparent and easily accessible information on climate change, energy supply and economic performance in Austria. In doing so, WIFO emphasises the urgent need to reverse the rising trend of greenhouse gas emissions, i.e. to decarbonise the energy system in order to protect the climate system. The ongoing economic crisis puts a damper on the growth of investments in the use of renewables and in improving energy efficiency, both of which would be necessary to a much greater extent in order to drastically cut greenhouse gas emissions. Most of the fiscal stimulation measures, however, concentrate on returning the economy to the growth path prevailing before the economic crisis. But the current situation would be an opportunity to attempt a more comprehensive transformation of energy systems and more sustainable growth.