Extreme heat has forced the Austrian government to make changes to air conditioning in residential buildings and schools.

Extreme heat has forced Austria's government to implement sweeping changes aimed at improving thermal protection in residential buildings and schools. As historic temperature records have become the central topic in Austria, citizens are grappling with relentless heatwaves that have broken long-standing records one after another. Federal Chancellor Christian Stocker, representing the Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP), stated yesterday that the government is "carefully monitoring the further development of events" regarding extreme temperatures. However, this response has been met with criticism from the Greens, who argue that the federal government left citizens vulnerable during these unbearable conditions. The Greens have urged the political leadership to promptly convene a climate summit at the highest level. Media reports from Wednesday highlight the issue of extreme heat and citizen protection, as well as the effective implementation of climate protection laws. Today, news emerged that the federal government plans a new package of laws designed to ease thermal protection measures for buildings. With the aim of addressing future climate change challenges, members of Austria’s Cabinet will discuss the proposals today. Currently, similar to Croatia, tenants often require permission from their landlords and other residents in the building to install air conditioning units, shading devices, or other heat protection measures. According to plans from the Ministry of Housing and Justice, these obstacles will soon be removed. "The federal government is now intervening: these barriers will be removed so that both tenants and property owners can more easily implement heat protection measures, independent of landlords or co-owners," states the daily newspaper "Kronen Zeitung," which received access to a public statement. "Increasingly frequent hot days are unbearable for many and represent a real health risk, especially for vulnerable individuals," said Federal Deputy Chancellor Andreas Babler, a member of the Social Democratic Party (SPÖ), according to "Krone." Until now, implementing such measures was often legally difficult or even impossible due to numerous legal hurdles. Austrian tenant associations have long called on the federal government to make necessary changes. However, the government ignored these appeals until recent days when new historical records were set and heat levels previously unseen in Austria became apparent. Domestic media claim this was the trigger that pushed the government into urgent action. In addition to thermal protection for residential buildings, the government also plans adequate protection for educational institutions against extreme heat. Education Minister Christoph Wiederkehr announced in "Kronen Zeitung" that measures will be implemented regionally, meaning tailored to specific needs and age groups. The legal framework for the package of laws should be prepared by autumn, allowing it to come into effect no later than summer 2027. Among other things, plans include shading devices, new windows, and heat protection films for older school buildings. "Heat is a challenge for the educational routine. If children and young people in overheated classrooms almost cannot sleep or study, it affects their health, concentration, and educational opportunities," emphasized Wiederkehr. The removal of obstacles for installing heat pumps is also planned. Environment Minister Norbert Totschnig has already supported the government’s plans. "With today’s decision, we jointly initiate effective measures," said the minister to the daily newspaper "Krone." It is noted that thermal energy retrofits should also be simplified, and current obstacles to the installation of heat pumps should be removed. Some of these systems can serve as cooling solutions for buildings during the summer months.