CoR - Austria Environment

Central

State authorities are responsible for:

Within the realm of health policy, the federal level has legislative and executive competences on air pollution, waste (especially dangerous waste) and other types of pollution caused by the exceeding of pollution limits (Art. 10(12) Constitution) as well as environmental impact assessments for large scale infrastructure projects (Art. 10(9) Constitution);
Legislative competence for environmental impact assessments for projects that are potentially harmful for the environment. (Art. 11(7) Constitution);
Where uniform standards are necessary, the federal level has the legislative competence to set emission limits for air pollution (Art. 11(5) Constitution);
Provides for financial support to the Länder for the creation of natural parks;
Since 2005 the federal level has been competent for animal protection legislation;
Issues waste management plans (only DE)

Shared responsibilities (legislation at federal level and implementation at Land level):

Animal protection with the exception of the exercise of hunting or fishing (Art. 11(1)8 Constitution)

Regional

Regional authorities are responsible for:

General competence for the protection of the environment and the landscape. Each Land has its own law on nature conservation (“Naturschutzgesetz"). (Art. 15 Constitution);
Protection of nature and landscapes;
Plant protection (“Kompetenzbereinigung");
Establishing and maintaining the national parks;
Administration of federal law (e.g. on animal welfare legislation);
Issuing waste management plans at regional level. These plans have to be presented to the Federal Ministry of Environment before it becomes integrated into the national plan.

Local

Local authorities are responsible for:

Responsible ministries/bodies

Sources:

Policies Area