The principal aim of the OECD Environmental Performance Review (EPR) programme is to help Member and selected partner countries improve their individual and collective performance in environmental management by:
helping countries assess progress in achieving their environmental goals
promoting continuous policy dialogue and peer learning
stimulating greater accountability from governments towards each other and public opinion
This is the fourth EPR of Austria. It examines the country’s environmental performance since the previous review in 2013. Progress in achieving domestic objectives and international commitments provides the basis for assessing Austria’s environmental performance. Such objectives and commitments may be broad aims, qualitative goals or quantitative targets. A distinction is made between intentions, actions and results. Assessment of environmental performance is also placed within the context of Austria’s historical environmental record, present state of the environment, physical endowment in natural resources, economic conditions and demographic trends.
The OECD is grateful to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Climate and Environmental Protection, Regions and Water Management for providing information and comments, organising the review mission (16-19 September 2025), as well as for facilitating contacts inside and outside government institutions. Thanks are also due to all government ministries and agencies, as well as non-governmental stakeholders, that participated in the mission and provided information or comments.
The participation of Silvia Giulietti and Rocco Lancellotti (Italy) and Ewa Glaba (Poland) as peer reviewers is also gratefully acknowledged.
This review was co-ordinated by Ivana Capozza, under the oversight of Nathalie Girouard (Head of the Environmental Performance and Information Division of the OECD Environment Directorate). Ivana Capozza authored Chapter 1, with the exception of Section 1.3.6, which was prepared by Jolien Noels. Tony Zamparutti (Milieu Law & Policy Consulting) authored Chapter 2. Carla Bertuzzi provided statistical support, and Lydia Servant provided administrative assistance. Mark Foss (consultant) copy-edited the report. Natasha Cline-Thomas supported communications activities. Preparation of this report also benefitted from valuable comments and inputs from Kathleen Dominique, Federico Drogo, Ada Ignaciuk (OECD Trade and Agriculture Directorate), Raphaël Jachnik, Mikaël Maes, Daniel Nachtigall, Mikaela Rambali, Adelaida Rojas Lleras, Dirk Rötggers (OECD Centre for Tax Policy and Administration), Laura Elizabeth Jane Smith, Katarina Svatikova and Frédérique Zegel. All individuals mentioned are from the OECD Environment Directorate, unless otherwise specified.
The OECD Working Party on Environmental Performance discussed the Environmental Performance Review of Austria at its meeting on 10 March 2026. It reviewed and expressed support for the Assessment and Recommendations.