Improving the environmental performance with EMAS

Austria’s Climate and Energy Strategy aims to achieve climate neutrality by 2040. The public sector can make an important contribution to this, particularly through the nationwide implementation of environmental management systems within the federal administration. As a modern and future-oriented administrative organization, we aim to continue to be a pioneer.

As early as 25 years ago, the former Ministry of the Environment at Stubenbastei became the first ministry in the EU to be an EMAS organization. Since then, we have continuously integrated additional locations and identified potential for improvement year after year. With the first validation and registration of a ministry in the EU in 2000, we created transparency regarding our environmental impacts.

Through EMAS, we have systematically integrated our environmental protection efforts into all core processes and raised awareness among our employees of environmental aspects. Many improvement proposals have been successfully implemented, leading to a more responsible use of our resources.

We are continuing this successful path within the Ministry with EMAS and strive to maintain a pioneering role in the public sector in the future as well. Only through consistent action in the areas of environmental and climate protection, clean technologies, and sustainable mobility can we make a significant contribution to more stable livelihoods and the preservation of our habitats.

Ministry again certified

At the beginning of October 2025, a comprehensive EMAS audit procedure took place once again. The external auditor recognized and certified the well-functioning EMAS environmental management system of the central office. The audit provided proof that the requirements of DIN EN ISO 14001:2015 are fulfilled.

The most important results

You can find detailed information on the direct environmental impacts in the Environmental Statement (PDF, 3 MB). The data refer to the year 2024 in comparison with 2023.

Electricity and Heat

For space heating, district heating is used at the Ministry’s locations. Compared to the previous year, heat consumption decreased by 6.37 percent. Electricity supply is provided exclusively through certified electricity (Austrian Ecolabel electricity) or electricity from 100 percent renewable energy sources. The use of UZ46-certified electricity not only causes significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions, but also excludes the trading of green electricity certificates and thus possible greenwashing of electricity from fossil or nuclear sources. From 2022 onwards, all properties of the central office and the Ministry’s departments were converted to UZ46 electricity.

Water Consumption

At the Ministry’s locations, water consumption increased by around 15 percent. Due to ongoing façade renovation and cleaning at the Stubenring 1 location, higher water consumption occurred in 2024.

Paper Consumption

We use recycled paper and office materials bearing the Austrian Ecolabel at all locations. Thanks to the follow-me printing system, default double-sided printing, and increased working from home, paper consumption was reduced by a further 15 percent. At the Ministry’s copy center at Stubenring 1, 50 percent more print jobs such as brochures, fold-out leaflets, etc. were commissioned. As always, these were printed in accordance with the requirements of the Austrian Ecolabel. The copy center is also certified with the PEFC label.

Green Meetings

The procurement of regional, seasonal, and organic food is promoted through the consistent implementation of Green Meetings and Events.

Waste

Waste separation in offices is carried out in four fractions, with employees actively participating in a structured waste management process. With the completion of the new cooling system in 2024 at the Stubenring 1 location, the disposal of old cooling equipment was reduced. Overall, total waste volume decreased by 5 percent, indicating efficient resource use and improved waste management practices. The harmonization of the collection of plastic packaging in Austria introduced in 2023 led to a significant increase in the plastic fraction by 33 percent. This indicates that employees demonstrate positive separation behaviour and consciously sort their waste in the interest of sustainability.

Mobility

Flight kilometers for business trips increased by 1.94 percent. Climate-friendly rail travel was used almost 4 percent more frequently. Business trips by car remained constant. The development of business trips by car shows a differentiated situation between the departments and the central office. The increase in car-based business trips by the departments indicates higher local mobility requirements, increased activities, or project work that necessitated travel. In contrast, the central office recorded a reduction in car-based business trips. This may indicate a conscious decision to use alternative options, such as video conferences or public transport, in order to reduce environmental impact and conserve resources. The provision of a small vehicle fleet within the Ministry, as well as service bicycles, scooters, and e-scooters for business travel within Vienna, are positive measures to promote environmentally friendly mobility.

Mixed Emissions Balance

The emissions balance shows the following picture: emissions from electricity use increased by 19.68 percent, while emissions from heat use were reduced by 8.34 percent. Emissions from business travel were reduced by 5.47 percent.

Details in the Environmental Statement

The joint Environmental Statement 2025 clearly presents the details and the environmental programs with the new measures.