<h5><strong>Working together for climate protection</strong></h5><p> </p><p>Climate protection is in everyone’s interest. And there are also strong economic motives for taking a stand for the environment. The current costs caused by climate change in Austria are approx. 1 billion euro and rising. This is why we particularly welcome the <a href="http://www.wwf.at/klimaschutzappell" target="_blank" title="WWF Österreich Klimaschutzappell">APPEAL FOR ENERGY TURNAROUND AND CLIMATE PROTECTI</a><a href="https://www.wwf.at/wirtschaft/unternehmenskooperationen/schwerpunkte-klimaschutz/" target="_blank" title="WWF Österreich Klimaschutzappell">ON</a><a href="http://www.wwf.at/klimaschutzappell" target="_blank" title="WWF Österreich Klimaschutzappell"> </a>and the great involvement from all over Austria. After all, ambitious goals can only be achieved if politics, science, business and consumers work together.</p>

<h5><strong>Key demands</strong></h5><p> </p><p>These are the demands brought forward by the companies:</p>

<ul><li>A mandatory overall strategy for refraining from fossil energies by 2050</li><li>100 percent electricity from renewable energy by 2030</li><li>An action plan for the extension of the public transport network and electromobility</li><li>The promotion of thermal renovation and environmental heating systems</li><li>A program with incentives to companies and households for more energy efficiency</li><li>A tax system optimized according to sustainable investment</li></ul>

<p>If these ideas become actual framework conditions, the right incentives for environmentally friendly actions exceeding periods of office are created. The companies in Austria would consequently invest in environmentally friendly technologies.</p>

<h5><strong>Things are on the move!</strong></h5><p>This appeal is already the second of its kind, after the first from January 2017 died down due to this year’s re-elections. Back then, 190 companies signed the petition. This time, there are 242 and more to come. This unity is the strength of the initiative: If everyone contributes, nobody has the feeling of being a lone wolf. And with each company that joins, the pressure on those who insist on staying put is growing.</p><p>Bernhard Knoblechner (Managing Director, BG-Graspointer) is also thrilled by the initiative:</p>

<h5><strong>Typical for BG-Graspointer</strong></h5><p>In fact, the appeal to politics really fits our long-standing philosophy. Once again, it is shown that climate protection is of a deeply economic interest. Environmental products are in demand, because they conserve resources. The best example offered by our company is our HPC material FILCOTEN®. It is lightweight and very stable. Gutters made from this material cause significantly lower transport and fuel costs compared to products made from concrete. In addition, as part of the <a href="https://www.klimabuendnis.at/english" target="_blank" title="Klimabündnis">Climate Alliance </a>, we have committed to using resources in a more economical way. For the production of FILCOTEN® gutters, energy consumption is half of that of classically produced gutters! <br><br> </p><h5><strong>Actions speak louder than words!</strong></h5><p>This initiative is not all about talking. We want to follow up with action. This is why we are appealing to the parties of the future federal government to implement the demands in everybody’s interest. As a company, we need the clarity and security for long-term and targeted investments in the future. The business community has signaled that it is prepared to contribute to climate protection. Now it’ time for politicians to make a move.</p>