Austria: environment

How much of Austria's energy is renewable?

Renewables made up 44.2% of Austria's gross final energy consumption in 2025, up from 43.0% in 2024, according to Eurostat.

This is the share used for the EU renewable energy targets. It counts renewable electricity, heat and transport fuels as a share of all energy consumed by end users. Statistik Austria's energy balance puts final energy consumption in 2024 at 1,044 petajoules, 1% less than in 2023.

Official sources: Eurostat · energy balance

Are Austria's CO2 emissions falling?

Austria's fossil carbon dioxide emissions in 2023 were 6.4% lower than in 2022 and 17.8% lower than in 2008, according to the Statistik Austria air emissions accounts.

The air emissions accounts assign emissions to the industries and households that cause them, following the national accounts. They include emissions by Austrian residents abroad, such as airlines and haulage firms, so they differ from the greenhouse gas inventory that the Umweltbundesamt reports under the UN climate convention, which counts emissions within Austria's territory. Both are official measures.

Official sources: Statistik Austria air emissions accounts

How much energy does Austria use?

Austria's final energy consumption was 1,044 petajoules in 2024, 1% less than in 2023, according to the Statistik Austria energy balance. Household use fell 5% to 288 PJ, services rose 4% to 97 PJ and industry rose about 1% to 288 PJ. Road transport used 296 PJ and aviation 41 PJ.

Final energy consumption is the energy used by households, industry, transport and services, after conversion losses in power plants and refineries. In the energy balance, renewable fuels used directly made up 20% of final consumption, with electricity counted as a separate carrier at 22%. That is why this share is lower than the EU renewables share published by Eurostat, which also counts renewable electricity and heat.

Official sources: Statistik Austria energy balance

How much CO2 does Austria emit per person?

According to the European Commission's EDGAR database, carbon dioxide emissions per person in Austria was 6.3 tonnes in 2024. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. It is 14th highest of 46 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 5.1 tonnes. Of 186 countries with 2024 data, 36th highest.

What are Austria's emissions?

The European Commission's EDGAR database puts total greenhouse gas emissions in Austria at 71.0 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2024. No year since 2005 has been lower. It is 19th highest of 46 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 53.5 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent. World rank, highest first: 65th of 186.

How much renewable energy does Austria use?

The IEA, IRENA, the UN Statistics Division, the World Bank and the WHO puts the renewable share of final energy use in Austria at 36.0% in 2021. No year since 2005 has been higher. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 20.4%, and Austria placed 12th highest of 50. Worldwide: 66th of 191.

How much of Austria is forest?

In 2024, forest area as a share of land in Austria was 47.3%, according to the FAO. No year since 2005 has been higher. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 33.2%, and Austria placed 8th highest of 51. Of 190 countries with 2024 data, 55th highest.

What is air pollution like in Austria?

The latest figure from the Global Burden of Disease study, for 2023, is 10.0 micrograms per cubic metre. That is the lowest since at least 2005. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 13.0 micrograms per cubic metre, and Austria placed 35th highest of 51. World rank, highest first: 155th of 192.

How much of Austria's land is protected?

29.6%: that is the share of land in protected areas in Austria for 2025, according to the UN Environment Programme. That is the highest since at least 2013. Europe & Central Asia median: 22.1%; Austria is 12th highest of 51. Of 192 countries with 2025 data, 35th highest.

What is water stress in Austria?

8.7%: that is water stress in Austria for 2022, according to the FAO. That is the lowest since at least 2005. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 12.6%, and Austria placed 26th highest of 47. Worldwide: 93rd of 175.