Styria is the fifth province to present a draft for RED III implementation
Styria is the fifth Austrian state to present a draft law for implementing the EU Renewable Energy Directive (RED III). While it includes required elements like deadlines and coordination points for renewable energy projects, it also introduces controversial changes unrelated to RED III, particularly weakening nature protection laws.
Unlike Tirol and Vorarlberg, Styria allows fewer exceptions for protected areas, limiting them to specific EU-designated habitats and only through individual decisions. This narrower approach, along with vague definitions and unclear mitigation criteria, creates legal uncertainty.
ÖKOBÜRO crotoceses that the draft uses RED III as a pretext to reduce environmental oversight—such as removing appeal rights from environmental ombudsmen—mirroring steps in Salzburg and Tirol. Climate goals must align with strong biodiversity protection. Four other states have yet to publish their drafts.
Challenges in implementing the EU Renewable Energy Directive: How can procedures really be accelerated & the environment protected
The RED III aims to help EU countries accelerate the energy transition. However, deregulation and shorter deadlines are not a guarantee for faster procedures. If implemented incorrectly, the directive could even jeopardize climate protection. If environmental procedures are excessively deregulated during the implementation of RED III and existing conservation laws are weakened, valuable ecosystems could be more easily destroyed. In recent years, ÖKOBÜRO has intensively explored how to effectively improve and streamline procedures. Numerous expert interviews and research have shown that efficient environmental procedures depend on six success factors: Early planning and dialogue at a round table, timely, structured, and comprehensive public participation, complete and high-quality application documents, sufficient resources and competencies within the authority, good process management and political support and will.