The Austrian climate protection organization Protect Our Winters is calling on entrepreneurs to participate in the upcoming election for the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber (WKO), which will take place from March 10 to 13, 2025 and by postal vote from February 7. The election of the new specialist group representatives and the economic parliament should be used as an opportunity to steer the Austrian economy towards a sustainable transformation. The organization criticizes the current leadership of the Federal Economic Chamber, in particular its blockade of ambitious climate goals and the expansion of renewable energies.
The influence of the WKO on Austrian economic policy should not be underestimated. In the past, the chamber has repeatedly weakened or even blocked climate policy measures, as can be seen from a leaked negotiation paper. Protect Our Winters is therefore calling for a change to enable a sustainable and competitive economy. "Austrian entrepreneurs need clear framework conditions to ensure investment security," explains Viktoria Auer, campaign manager at Protect Our Winters.
The winter sports industry, which represents an important economic basis in (western) Austria, is particularly affected by climate change. Michael Schnineis, chairman of the Austrian Association of Sports Equipment Manufacturers and Sports Retailers, supports the call and stresses the importance of decisive climate protection. Dr. Robert Steiger, expert in sustainable tourism development, emphasizes that climate protection is in the interest of winter tourism in order to minimize the negative consequences of climate change. Protect Our Winters also welcomes the open discourse and commitment to more climate protection, as shown at the Green Event certified Ski World Championships in Saalbach.
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