Growth-independent just transformation pathways towards a climate neutral Austrian economy

Objectives The project develops transformation pathways for Austria that are growth-independent, climate-neutral and socially just, providing actionable insights for policy and modelling. Growth-independence means that a high level of societal well-being is achievable within planetary boundaries independently of economic growth. The project is guided by three research questions: 1) What are the characteristics of growth-independent transformation pathways? 2) Which baseline scenarios and measures are necessary to develop and assess growth-independent transformation pathways for Austria? 3) How can growth-independent transformation pathways achieve climate neutrality while enhancing societal well-being in Austria in an equitable way? Methodology The methods used include literature reviews (especially on growth-independent and Austrian climate mitigation pathways), knowledge integration methods and macroeconomic model simulations. Knowledge integration supports the development and evaluation of scenarios to promote acceptance and feasibility (e.g. what is just?). Baseline scenarios and transformation pathways are developed qualitatively and quantitatively, based on an adaptation of the Shared-Socio Economic Pathway (SSP) framework to the project context. Three models simulate these pathways, representing different economic “schools of thought”: the neoclassical WEGDYN-AT, the hybrid MIO-ES (New Keynesian-neoclassical) and the system-dynamic iSD-AT. Finally, a feasibility assessment will be carried out to identify leverage points for equitable, growth-independent climate mitigation pathways. Innovation At the end of the project, the first model-based analysis of growth-independent climate protection paths for Austria should be available. The applied interdisciplinary methodology and evaluation of growth-independent and socially just transformation paths should serve as good practice for similar analyses.