Climate Minister Leonor Gesler (Greens) meets the government’s US travel group. They are going to Washington and Pittsburgh.
Avoid flights where possible: That’s Leonor Gesler’s official motto. Apparently it is no different this time. He’s across the US next week – including four flights. The AUA will leave for Washington at 10:50 a.m. on Sunday. There, opportunities for the domestic economy and potential cooperation in energy through renewable energy and climate protection are on the program. A visit to the World Bank and talks with Austrian bicycle manufacturer “Voom Bikes” are also planned.
US government officials and maybe city visits
Gessler wants to meet with US government officials on Tuesday and talk to them about climate protection plans. There will also be a meeting with Senator Bernie Sanders – and possibly a visit to DC.
One Hour Flight to Pittsburgh
On Wednesday, Gewesler will fly again: then it will head off to Pittsburgh, flying the crow about 300 kilometers away. Flight time is one hour. For comparison: the distance traveled is about four hundred kilometers, the travel time is about four and a half hours.
In Pittsburgh, the climate minister is attending the ministerial conference on “Mission Innovation.” It is a consortium of aspiring countries that seeks to make progress in climate protection. Focus: Green energy. Next day there will be talks with Austro companies.
Friday will mark the official launch of the “Net Zero Industries Mission,” which is about switching to green production methods in the industry.
2.5 Ton CO2 Emissions
In the evening we return to Vienna via Washington. Arrival: 8.30 am. Gesler would then have consumed about 2.5 tons of CO2 in four flights. For comparison: this corresponds to a journey of about 15,000 kilometers in a diesel car or five months of heating with district heating or the production of 450 polyester T-shirts.
Regarding Gewesler’s visit, the Foreign Ministry says: “The Austrian Embassy in Washington was regularly informed of the federal minister’s visit.”
cogler meanwhile chancellor
At the same time, the United Nations General Assembly is taking place in New York, which will be visited by Federal Chancellor Karl Nehmer, Federal President Alexander Van der Belen and Foreign Minister Alexander Schellenberg. During Nehmer’s 55-hour stay in the US, Chancellor Kogler took over as vice-chancellor and is now chancellor – more about that here.
