E&E Austria

The future of work and ecology in Austria

Pilot study for an eco-social reform strategy for Austria

During the last 30 years environmental policy has emerged as an independent policy area in the political arena. An outcome of this change is intensified interaction between the scientific and political communities concerning linkages between environmental, economic and social policies. At EU level the environmental policy process has been incrementally formalised with the creation of Environmental Action Plans. Progress in this area is presented at various EU Summits, the last one being held in Barcelona in 2002.

At the Barcelona EU Summit the topic of indicators for sustainable development (to be implemented at EU level) was taken up. The European heads of states presented 42 indicators directed at measurement of progress in environmental, economic and labour policy. This is only the first stage of EU environmental policy formulation, and the exact configuration of Barcelona indicators is still open for discussion. A point of criticism is the criteria under which the indicators are chosen. The criteria are more geared on accessibility of data, and less on theoretical and political adequacy. This gives the impression that a theoretical treatment of an integrated environmental, economic and social policy follows rather than leads the political process.

This pilot study for an eco-social reform strategy treats two aspects of the relationship between societal and environmental aspects of EU policies. Firstly, the theoretical basis and, secondly, societal interest for further research on the topic “labour and ecology” is examined. The theoretical part of the work focused on the relationship between work and ecology by investigating earlier studies in Austria. Knowledge on public interest in this area was obtained through interviews with political representatives. Interviewees were asked to elaborate on problem areas encountered in their work, especially on the co-existence of environmental and labour concerns. The study also presents a variety of instruments to reduce detrimental environmental effects in a manner that is economically feasible and ensures employment.

These are summarised as follows:

• Guidelines for work and ecology
• Integrated statistics
• Reform of subsidies
• Taxes on material and energy
• Reduction of working time
• Revaluation and support of informal labour

The results of the study show that the preconditions for a fundamental treatment of labour and ecology are already established in Austria and, moreover, that discussion on the problematic does not fall on deaf ears. Current research in this subject area shows that a theoretical well-founded basis can provide adequate input for economic, political and administrative decision makers to deal with the issues in a target oriented way. The step for integration between the policy areas however still needs to be made. Further progress in this area rests on cooperation between political actors.