PRIORITIES OF WATER MANAGEMENT IN AUSTRIA Karl Schwaiger Acting water director WWF 7 / Korea European Regional Process 15. April 2015 AUSTRIA Population: inh. Area: km Density: 100 inh./km Capital Vienna (1,68 mio inh.) Predominantly mountainous High precipitation Alps: water tower for Europe FACTS AND FIGURES ON AUSTRIA WWF 7 / Korea European Regional Process 15. April Provision of high quality drinking water + environmental sound disposal of waste water 100% access to water and sanitation achieved Focus of AT development assistance Strong plea for dedicated water goals in Post SDG Agenda KEY CHALLENGES (1) New domestic challenge: to maintain ageing water infrastructure in good state WWF 7 / Korea European Regional Process 15. April Cooperation in shared transboundary river basins Bilateral transboundary water Commissions in place Partner in 3 International Commissions AT with long lasting experience KEY CHALLENGES (2) 2 Conventions on transboundary waters (UN, UNECE), International River Conventions (Danube, Rhine) provide inspiration for other basins WWF 7 / Korea European Regional Process 15. April Comprehensive + sustainable protection of all waters irrespectively of their uses (i.a via legislation) 100% of waste water treated => nutrients and chemicals no major issue Major challenge: reconcile flood protection and hydropower generation with river ecology Long term challenge KEY CHALLENGES (3) WWF 7 / Korea European Regional Process 15. April Reduce risk of floods Provide more room to river, focus on non structural measures Search for innovative solutions Permanent challenge in alpine country with high precipitation and limited space Enhanced by CC KEY CHALLENGES (4) WWF 7 / Korea European Regional Process 15. April Mitigation of and adaptation to Climate Change Impacts on AT well known due to research Particular focus: make water supply more resilient Flood risk management Winter tourism artificial snow Reduce CO2 emissions Enhance share of renewable energy KEY CHALLENGES (5)