Verlag der Österreichischen Akademie der Wissenschaften

Abstract:
In this research project a scheme of mitigation and adaptation strategies for a case study region in Austria is developed and quantitatively assessed. In particular, the project aims to analyze the relationship between mitigation and adaptation strategies in a regional context, i.e. economic impacts from viable climate response strategies shall be assessed. Concerning mitigation the focus is on fostering the use of biomass as energy carrier in order to substitute fossil energy resources in heat production. Mitigation is also considered in terms of better manure management and consequently reduced amounts of commercial fertilizers used in agricultural production. Adaptation strategies are considered in the agricultural sector by using new crop varieties and technologies in order to reduce adverse impacts from climate change and thus stabilize agricultural output. The wider Feldbach region in South-Eastern Styria (at NUTS 3 level, embedded within Styria, NUTS 2 level), which is among the most productive agricultural production regions in Austria, is selected as a case study for the present regional analysis. Where necessary, the developments in the surrounding region Styria are also explored.