Transport remains Carinthia’s biggest climate challenge

Transport is Carinthia’s largest source of greenhouse gas emissions, with harmful emissions from the sector 40 percent higher than in 1990, the mobility organisation VCÖ says. ORF reported the figures, which come from an analysis using data from the Environment Agency Austria.

Transport produced 1.4 million tonnes of emissions in 2024, ahead of industry at almost 900,000 tonnes. Agriculture, buildings and energy followed. Carinthia also had Austria’s third-highest per-capita transport CO2 emissions, despite a 20 percent drop from the 2019 peak. Transit trucks further worsen the state’s climate record.

Emissions fell in every sector, with the biggest reduction in buildings, where they dropped by almost 70 percent. New heating systems and thermal renovation were the main factors.

VCÖ called for a higher truck toll, saying the current charge was far from being fully used and that foreign freight operators benefited from the money left uncollected.

The organisation also urged towns and cities to calm traffic and introduce more 30 km/h zones instead of 50 km/h limits, as well as expand cycling infrastructure and improve public transport. These steps could encourage more people to walk, cycle or use buses and trains, while reducing mobility costs.

VCÖ expert Michael Schwendinger said the Koralmbahn had substantially improved the rail service, and that more people were now travelling by train as a result.