Austria
Austria adopted its cross-sectoral strategy in 2016, which includes forestry, rural development, and energy. The strategy was complemented with an action plan, and forest owners have the freedom to choose appropriate measures, but they are responsible for the health of their forests according to national legislation. The adaptation is partially supported financially and institutionally through cooperation between researchers and practitioners. Both close-to-nature and management intensification approaches are employed, including the use of new tree species and provenances, as the productivity of traditionally used tree species and provenances is compromised. The use of exotic tree species is also supported. The pros and cons of particular native and non-native tree species are being discussed among stakeholders [1] [2].
The Austrian forestry sector is interlinked with potential synergies or trade-offs within and between the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The linkages of forestry with potential synergies or trade-offs within and between the SDGs have been assessed through a study [3].
The Forest Strategy 2020 is intended as an instrument to help meet present and future challenges in the best possible way and to ensure the multi-functional services provided by forests for future generations. The strategy is organized along seven forest-political fields of action, six of which are derived from the six "Pan-European Criteria for Sustainable Forest Management" of the FOREST EUROPE Ministerial Conference. The seventh one, "Austria's International Responsibility for Sustainable Forest Management," was added because it is important for a forest and timber country to have an active share in the development of the international environment for forests. The Forest Strategy is intended as an instrument to harmonize the multiple interests and demands made on Austrian forests and to find solutions to possible utilization conflicts. The Forest Strategy 2020 is to provide forest-political cornerstones to ensure and continuously optimize the sustainable management and maintenance of Austria's forests [5].
Austria released its climate and energy strategy, "#mission2030," in 2018, for reaching the 2030 targets and advancing the long-term vision of a carbon-free energy sector by 2050. The vision addresses all energy sectors, mobility, and urban sprawl in one strategy. #mission2030 forms the basis of Austria's National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP). Austria risks missing its mandatory emissions reduction target outside the European Union's (EU) Emission Trading System (ETS) of -16% in 2020 compared to the 2005 level. Austria's greenhouse gas emissions declined between 2005 and 2016, but started to rise again thereafter, notably in transport. For 2018, non-ETS emissions are estimated at 10% below the 2005 level. For 2030, Austria is obligated to reduce its non-ETS emissions by 36% below the 2005 level, a much larger challenge. If the current pathway is not significantly adjusted, Austria may only achieve a reduction of 27%. Achieving carbon neutrality by 2040 is also a goal [6].