Security of supply in Austria
The security of supply of the Austrian population with food, clean drinking water and energy plays a significant role not only with regard to the current international situation.
Agriculture and forestry are key pillars of a sustainable future. As essential sectors in Austria's regions, they provide both the food we need and the renewable resources required for material and energy use. Maintaining and strengthening agricultural and forestry production across the country's regions is therefore essential to ensuring food security and achieving the climate and energy transition.
Agriculture Ensures Food Security
Austria's food supply is currently secure - primarily thanks to the country's farmers, as well as to a well-functioning agricultural and food value chain. However, high energy costs are increasing production costs throughout the entire agricultural and food supply chain. This makes it all the more important to support farmers, for example through a Food Security Support Package or an Electricity Cost Subsidy.
Sustainable Forestry
Nearly half of Austria's land area is covered by forests. Each year, Austria's forests grow more timber than is harvested. This annual surplus would be sufficient to build approximately 105,000 additional single-family homes.
Wood provides climate-friendly solutions for a sustainable present and future. To strengthen the material and energy use of this sustainable raw material, the Austrian Wood Initiative includes concrete measures and activities that promote the efficient and innovative use of wood as a construction material, industrial raw material, and energy source. As a carbon-neutral, renewable energy source, wood makes an important contribution to climate protection and to reducing dependence on fossil fuels. Both the material and energy use of wood are not only essential for achieving climate targets but also help secure income and employment in Austria's regions.
Secure Water Supply
Water is essential for households, industry and commerce, as well as agriculture. Austria is fortunate to have abundant water resources of excellent quality. However, like the rest of Europe, Austria is experiencing increasingly frequent and prolonged periods of drought and extreme heat.
Although future precipitation patterns cannot be predicted with certainty, climate change is expected to bring longer periods of drought. To minimize the impacts of these dry spells, the Ministry of Water Management is focusing on preventive and preparedness measures to ensure a secure and reliable supply of drinking water in the future.
Public Services as Part of the Regional Strategy
Austria's regions have become increasingly important in many respects over recent years. This is particularly evident in the vital role they play in addressing today's key challenges, such as ensuring security of supply.
For this reason, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture launched the MY REGION – Home. Future. Quality of Life. initiative. A key pillar of the Regional Strategy is the provision of essential public services at the regional level. The strategy focuses on safeguarding regional food supplies, protecting communities against natural hazards, improving care and education services, promoting climate-friendly mobility and accessibility, and supporting voluntary and community engagement.
