"We are searching for a model output that represents a world system that is: 1. sustainable without sudden and uncontrollable collapse..." (Dennis L. Meadows; The Limits to Growth, 1972).

At the United Nations General Assembly in September 2015, the 193 Member States, represented by Heads of State and Government, adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and thereby agreed on the first set of globally valid sustainable development goals (SDGs).

Since 2010, Austria has had its own sustainability strategy backed by the Federal Provinces and the Federal Government (Austrian Strategy for Sustainable Development, ÖSTRAT).

In April 2002, the Council of Ministers adopted "NSTRAT 2002", a sustainable development strategy that was mandatory for the Federal Government.

The EU Strategy for Sustainable Development of 2001, which was renewed in June 2006, aims to achieve continuous improvement of quality of life both for the present and for future Generations.

Through their consumer behaviour, consumers can make an essential contribution to environmental protection. The "Bewusst kaufen" (Buy Aware) initiative serves to create awareness among consumers for sustainable products and provides extensive information on conscious, sustainable consumption.

"CSR - Corporate Social Responsibility" forms part of the work programme of the Austrian Strategy for Sustainable Development and is an objective of the Federal Government.

Green economies improve our quality of life and enhance social balance while at the same time reducing environmental risks and ecological damage.

The 2015 Environment Microcensus published in July 2017 - a survey conducted by Statistics Austria on environmental themes and quality of life - provides intriguing insights into the attitudes and behaviour of Austrians.The 2015 Environment Microcensus published in July 2017 - a survey conducted by Statistics Austria on environmental themes and quality of life - provides intriguing insights into the attitudes and behaviour of Austrians.

WWWforEurope - Welfare, Wealth and Work for Europe is an ambitious WIFO-coordinated European research Project.

Green jobs are jobs in the environment sector. In Austria, every 20th job is a green job, with roughly 11% of the nation’s GDP being generated in this sector.

Austria’s green start-up competition “greenstart” aims at continuing last year's success – with tried and tested formats and new ways to submit proposals.

The environmental sector and/or “green jobs” are developing well. A substantial contribution to this success was made by the BMLFUW through its strategies, measures and programmes.

Already now, green jobs are a dynamic business sector in Austria. During the economic crisis, in particular, they proved to be resilient and capable of further development.

Environmental innovations in the various industries are the key drivers for a sustainable, environmentally compatible and resource-efficient economy. Innovations play an equally important role when it comes to reaching the Austrian environmental goals. At the same time, they are crucial to strengthening Austria’s international competitive position.

As early as 2010, at the climate negotiations of Cancún, a decision was made to establish the Technology Mechanism, which in turn led to the creation of the ‘Climate Technology Centre and Network’ (CTCN). It is one of the two key components of the Technology Mechanism, the second being the “Technology Executive Committee’ (TEC), and aims to promote the transfer of climate technologies and services in both middle-income and developing countries.

Austrian companies in the environmental and energy technology sectors have always been considered particularly innovative, reliable and promising and occupy a leading position by international Standards.

Austria’s environmental technology industry is among the world’s most innovative green-tech industries today. It is growing at a faster rate than the entire Austrian economy.

By initiating RESET2020 Strategy for Resources.Efficiency.Technologies, the Federal Ministry for Sustainability and Tourism lent an impetus to the encouragement of intelligent and sustainable management, living and consumption.

The most recent data of the web portal reveal that global resource extraction has continuously risen over the past 31 years.

The Footprint: When will the Earth's ecological limits be reached? -

Find out your personal footprint!

The Austrian portal to environmental education and education for sustainable development.

Are we on track towards sustainable development, an objective that Austria's and European policies has been pursuing for so many years?

During the Austrian Council Presidency a consistently sustainable event management is aimed at.

Products and services that bear the Austrian Ecolabel meet extensive requirements of environmental and health compatibility.

EMAS is the acronym for Eco- Management and Audit Scheme, also called eco-audit.

The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) has published a summary guide for sustainable development reports on events (GRI Event Organizers Sector Supplement).

British Standards published "Specification for a sustainable event management system with guidance for use" in 2007.

The BMLFUW and the Austrian Broadcasting Corporation set an example: For the first time in its 60 years’ history the Song Contest was organised according to the guidelines for the Austrian Green Events Eco-label.