Vienna signs declaration to phase out fossil gas by 2040

Vienna has become the first European capital to sign the Greenpeace Declaration for the phase-out of fossil gas. Under the “Raus aus Gas” (Out of Gas) program, the city aims to transition to 100 percent renewable energy for heating by 2040.

Vienna Climate Councilor Jürgen Czernohorszky emphasized that moving away from natural gas is essential for energy security, noting that reliance on fossil fuels leaves households vulnerable to international price fluctuations and instability. He argued that the billions spent annually on fossil fuels would be better invested in local renewable energy infrastructure.

The transition plan highlights the role of heat pumps, which offer the dual advantage of heating in winter and cooling during increasingly frequent summer heatwaves. While acknowledging the challenges of the transformation process, city officials are calling for improved legal frameworks, particularly regarding residential and rental laws, to facilitate the decommissioning of gas networks.