Energy Crisis, War Inflation Drive Down Austria’s CO2 Pollution

Austria slashed its greenhouse gas pollution in 2022 despite producing more goods as its industrial economy responded to the energy crisis kicked off by Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Carbon dioxide emissions fell by 6.4%, or 5 million tons — equivalent to the volume of pollution emitted by about 12 natural gas plants — despite economic growth of just under 5%, according to the Environment Agency Austria.

It’s the first time Austria’s agricultural, building, industrial and transport sectors all managed to cut pollution.

“Emissions are now falling not just in forecasts but in reality,” Leonore Gewessler, Austria’s climate and ...