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CLIMATE CRISIS

Austrians, NGO bring climate suit to Europe rights court

Four Austrians and an NGO have taken the Austrian government to the European rights court for not doing enough to replace fossil fuels with clean energy, the group said Friday.

Austrians, NGO bring climate suit to Europe rights court
Austria's statistical agency says summer heatwaves were linked to higher death rates during hot weeks this summer. (Photo by CRISTINA QUICLER / AFP)

The move is part of a growing worldwide trend of organisations and individuals turning to courts to challenge what they see as government inaction on preventing climate change.

The complaint was submitted on behalf of four Austrian citizens who say they have been adversely affected by extreme weather events caused by climate change, and by Austrian NGO Global 2000, its spokesman Johannes Wahlmueller told AFP.

The lives of organic farmer Monika Jasansky, retiree Peter Fliegenschnee, Mayor Friedrich Pichler, and activist Klara Butz, have all been impacted by either drought, heatwaves or mudslides, said Wahlmueller.

The complaint was filed earlier this week at the Strasbourg-based European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), said Wahlmueller. Contacted by AFP, the ECHR said it hadn’t yet received the complaint. The suit was originally filed with Austria’s administrative court in 2021, but was rejected. In late June, Austria’s constitutional court also rejected the lawsuit, ruling that the government has leeway to decide on what measures it takes to achieve climate goals, as long as they are sufficient.

But according to the plaintiffs, the measures taken by the Austrian government will “miss the targets”, thus failing to protect its citizens. They call on the government to replace fossil fuels with renewable energy by 2040 at the latest. Earlier this year, an Austrian court rejected a lawsuit brought by 12 minors who accused the government of failing to revise a climate protection law, which they said insufficiently protects their constitutional rights.

Other lawsuits, including by six Portuguese citizens accusing dozens of European countries of having failed their commitments in the fight against climate change, have already been filed at the ECHR.

READ ALSO: Electrical storms end heatwave as Austria set for one of warmest years on record

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WEATHER

VIDEOS: Austria hit by heavy flooding after severe storms

The recent high water level on the Danube River has lead to widespread flooding. Residents in Linz and several Lower Austrian cities were hit as heavy rains caused damage.

VIDEOS: Austria hit by heavy flooding after severe storms

The recent days of heavy rain have led to the Danube River rising dramatically to seven meters. The high water levels have resulted in widespread flooding across Linz and Lower Austrian cities, causing chaos and disruption, reported Kurier

In Linz, popular recreational spots such as the Alturfahrer Danube beach are now completely underwater. Meteorologists warn that the situation could worsen, with water levels expected to peak during the night of June 6th.

410 incidents since Monday afternoon

Emergency services in the affected regions, such as firefighters, have been working constantly during the recent days, handling more than 410 incidents since Monday afternoon. In Lower Austria, the areas most affected are Tulln, St. Pölten, Melk, and Krems, where the flooding has affected streets, basements, and private homes.

Due to the flooding, areas in the district of Korneuburg had to be partially closed. Additionally, in places like Amstetten and Kritzendorf in the district of Tulln, the Danube overflowed its banks.

The situation in the district of Krems is also severe, especially in the southern villages and the town of Senftenberg. To address the crisis, 27 fire brigades with over 200 fire fighters were put in action. Throughout one night, they handled more than 250 emergency calls.

Vienna has also been affected by the flooding, even if significantly less than the already mentioned regions.

The city has issued a bathing ban for the New Danube following the flooding in the area. The ban, which also prohibits water sports and boating, was implemented for hygienic reasons.

Ships not allowed on the Danube 

Due to high water levels, all navigation on the Danube River in Austria has been prohibited since Tuesday afternoon, except for the Wiener Donaukanal, reported Die Presse.

The closure is a safety measure which affects both goods and passenger shipping, as well as recreational boating.

According to Christoph Caspar, spokesman for Via Donau, It is currently impossible to say how long the closure will last.

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