Peak Oil and Gas Resilience. Conceptualizing the Capacity of the Austrian Economy to Adapt to Peak Oil and Gas

Peak oil is increasingly seen as a threat to critical infrastructures. Peak oil either happened 2008 or is to be expected in the near future. European gas production has peaked and it is doubtful if imports will be sufficient. A decline in oil production will possibly trigger a decline in economic production or even a collapse. Thus, regional development policies should consider regional resilience strategies. In order to do this, it is necessary to clarify the resilience concept and operationalize resilience components: economic, ecological, social factors and factors of the built environment. Results will be (1) a set of measurable resilience indicators. To assess trust and cohesion, (2) a questionnaire will be designed. (3) an economic audit methodology will be developed. Further results are (4) a theoretical model of peak oil/gas effects on the Austrian economy, (5) an analysis of resilience in the peak oil discourse, (6) an analysis of resilience indicators in related research.