Rector Peter Riedler: Starting the year with confidence
In 2026, we will continue to work consistently on positioning the University of Graz as a relevant player in Europe, while at the same time focusing on a modern, sustainable and climate-friendly university campus. When new digital applications are rolled out in January, we will not only create a stable and secure IT environment, but also modern working and studying conditions for future generations. Peter Rielder, Rector of the University of Graz
Setback: Austria's greenhouse gas emissions rise in 2025
Climate protection is currently facing an uphill battle. The United Nations have recently been unable to agree on a roadmap for phasing out fossil fuels, even though global warming continues to accelerate. Also Austria still does not have a national climate law with a clear target path for reducing emissions. This is evidently taking its toll: Austria’s greenhouse gas emissions rose again in 2025 for the first time in years, by around two and a half percent, according to calculations by researchers at the University of Graz. In addition to overly cautious climate action measures, this is due to somewhat colder winter months compared to 2024, which are driving up natural gas consumption.