Greenpeace analysis: These 471 communities could face water shortages by 2050

In an analysis, the environmental NGO Greenpeace identified 471 communities across Austria “that are at high risk of acute water shortages in 2050.” More than half of the affected communities are located in Lower Austria, according to a press release.

• Also read: Survey results: Upper Austrians are concerned about the effects of the climate crisis

According to the analysis, the affected communities are located in regions where in dry years less groundwater is available than is needed for public water supplies, industry and agriculture – which could lead to conflicts of use.

Eight municipalities in Upper Austria affected

More than half of these municipalities, 288, are located in Lower Austria. A total of 82 municipalities are affected in Styria, 54 in Tyrol, 38 in Burgenland and eight in Upper Austria.

• The analysis results in detail

The areas also include the federal capital Vienna and the state capitals Linz, Innsbruck and St. Pölten. The NGO called on Agriculture Minister Norbert Totschnig (ÖVP) to “launch a real water protection plan before the national elections”. “Blistering heat, dried-up lakes and bathing ponds that are turning into small mud puddles. The last two summers have shown that droughts are becoming more and more common in our country. This is also affecting more and more fields where our food is withering due to a lack of water,” said Sebastian Theissing-Matei of Greenpeace Austria.

What can be done

However, according to the NGO, there are still sufficient options to stop the threat. Greenpeace has called for large water withdrawals by industry to be reported digitally in a central register, for efficient water use to be promoted and for regional programs to be developed to reduce water consumption.

• On the subject: Preparing for extreme weather events [OÖNplus]