In 2024, Vizcab conducted the third edition of its Low Carbon Barometer. It is a Europe-wide initiative aiming at capturing the state of play in Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) adoption and carbon maturity across the construction sector. With insights from over 270 professionals across 11 countries, including engineers, developers, architects, and general contractors, this Barometer serves as a compass for the industry's decarbonation efforts.

Life Cycle Assessment is increasingly recognised as a cornerstone methodology to measure and manage the environmental impact of buildings. However, its adoption remains uneven across Europe, influenced by regulatory maturity, professional training, and local market dynamics.

This Country Focus article explores how Austria is navigating the LCA transition. It is highlighting how professionals are adopting LCA practices, what are specific drivers and barriers they face, and how their progress compares to the broader European context. Through this lens, we aim to provide actionable insights for professionals working in and with Austria, helping them better align with current trends, anticipate regulatory shifts, and embrace low-carbon construction as a new standard.

Market overview: national profile

• Position : Architect (19 – 40%), Engineering (10 – 21%), Management (7 – 15%), Other (6 – 13%), Sales staff (1 – 2%)
• Company size : N/A (21 – 45%), +100 (6 – 13%), 50 to 100 (5 – 11%), 10 to 20 (3 – 6%), 20 to 50 (3 – 6%), 5 to 10 (3 – 6%), 2 to 5 (3 – 6%), Self-employed (2 – 4%)
• Company Revenue : N/A (21 – 45%), 500k à 1M (9 – 19%), 1M à 5M (6 – 13%), 0 à 500k (5 – 11%), +5M (3 – 6%), Confidential information (3 – 6%)

Does the company perform LCA studies?

Does your company conduct LCA vs other countries ?

Local drivers & barriers

National regulations: thresholds, incentives, mandates

National Regulations:

There is currently no mandatory national regulation requiring Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) for buildings in Austria. However, the country promotes sustainable construction through voluntary frameworks, especially in the context of public procurement.

The “klimaaktiv” building certification scheme, developed by the Austrian Federal Ministry for Climate Action (BMK), is a key instrument in this area. While the label is not compulsory, it includes life cycle criteria, promotes the use of ecological materials, and supports climate-friendly design and renovation. Projects seeking public funding are often assessed according to this scheme, indirectly encouraging LCA adoption.

Overall, LCA use in Austria remains project-driven or certification-based. However, the country is progressively moving towards stronger integration of LCA in line with EU directives such as the EPBD and the goals of the European Green Deal.

Thresholds:
There are no national limit values for carbon emissions across the lifecycle of buildings in Austria. Individual federal states (Länder) may choose to implement stricter local requirements, particularly through regional environmental policies or as part of eligibility criteria for public subsidies.

Financial Incentives:

Austria supports sustainable construction through a combination of federal subsidies, regional programs, and tax incentives aimed at promoting energy efficiency and low-carbon practices.

One of the key instruments is the Konjunkturpaket (economic stimulus package), a federal program aimed at supporting the construction of new affordable housing as well as the renovation of existing buildings. This package includes financial support for the construction of new housing, with tax incentives and grants for projects that meet high ecological standards.

Financial support is also conditioned on the level of energy efficiency achieved, the integration of renewable energy, and, in some cases, the use of climate-friendly materials. In particular, measures such as the Wohnraum-Bau-Offensive (Housing Construction Offensive) encourage the development of new housing, including the construction of affordable ownership housing, within a framework that supports both new construction and renovation.

In addition, the Austrian Climate and Energy Fund offers targeted funding for innovative, climate-resilient building projects, including those incorporating LCA principles or aiming for klimaaktiv certification.

Austria participates in EU-level financing mechanisms, such as the NextGenerationEU recovery plan, which includes support for green infrastructure and sustainable construction projects.

Public development banks, including the Österreichische Kontrollbank (OeKB), also offer preferential loans and green financing tools aligned with EU Taxonomy standards.

Mandates:

There is no national mandate requiring Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) for private buildings in Austria. However, ongoing discussions aim to integrate LCA into future national regulations, in alignment with European directives, particularly the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD).

These discussions are focused on establishing environmental performance thresholds for buildings, especially regarding greenhouse gas emissions over their entire lifecycle.

Influence of EU frameworks (EPBD, CSRD, EU Taxonomy) : 

In Austria, European regulations play a crucial role in shaping low-carbon construction practices, even in the absence of mandatory national requirements for Life Cycle Assessment (LCA).

The Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) is on its way, and as an EU member state, Austria will be required to comply with its provisions. This directive will impact national energy performance standards and is expected to drive Austria toward incorporating lifecycle-based requirements, particularly concerning greenhouse gas emissions over the lifespan of buildings.

The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) is already affecting major Austrian players in the construction sector — including developers, manufacturers, and institutional investors. The CSRD mandates more detailed environmental disclosures, which now include LCA indicators to assess climate impact. Although the Omnibus Directive has delayed its full implementation, Austrian companies involved in large-scale projects are already preparing for future compliance.

On the financing front, the EU Taxonomy is influencing how construction projects are structured and financed in Austria. Projects that meet LCA criteria — often through certifications like klimaaktiv or DGNB — are more likely to qualify for green financing, such as preferential loans, EU-backed grants, or green bonds, particularly in public programs or partnerships with institutional investors.

In summary, while Austria does not yet have a mandatory LCA framework, EU-level policies, such as the forthcoming EPBD, are gradually shaping local construction practices. The market is moving towards greater lifecycle transparency and environmental responsibility in both new builds and renovations, with mandatory compliance on the horizon.

Certification schemes used (e.g. DGNB, BDB, LEED):

Austria offers a range of certification schemes that promote sustainable construction and increasingly incorporate Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) principles. These certifications play a central role in driving environmental performance and aligning projects with EU climate objectives and taxonomy criteria.

• klimaaktiv: Developed by the Austrian Federal Ministry for Climate Action (BMK), klimaaktiv is Austria’s flagship voluntary certification for sustainable buildings. It includes criteria on energy efficiency, ecological materials, and lifecycle thinking. While not mandatory, it is widely used in both public and private projects and is often a prerequisite for accessing public funding. LCA is increasingly integrated into its highest performance levels.
• ÖGNI (Austrian Sustainable Building Council): Based on the DGNB system, ÖGNI offers a certification tailored to Austrian conditions. It evaluates buildings across environmental, economic, and social dimensions, with a strong emphasis on LCA and carbon performance. ÖGNI certifications are aligned with EU Taxonomy requirements and are well recognized among institutional investors.
• LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design): While less common than regional schemes, LEED is used in Austria for international projects or buildings aiming to meet global investor standards. It focuses on energy efficiency, material selection, and indoor environmental quality.
• BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method): Occasionally applied to large-scale or international developments in Austria, BREEAM supports broader environmental assessments and can include LCA modules.
• WELL Building Standard: Used for premium office and residential buildings, WELL emphasizes occupant health and well-being, and is sometimes combined with klimaaktiv or ÖGNI certifications.
• Passivhaus: Originating in Austria and Germany, the Passivhaus standard is widely adopted in Austrian construction, particularly for residential and educational buildings. While it focuses primarily on energy performance and building envelope, it is often integrated into multi-criteria certifications that include LCA.

In summary, Austria relies on a combination of national and international certification systems, with klimaaktiv and ÖGNI leading the way in LCA integration. These schemes are increasingly seen as essential tools for aligning with EU policy frameworks, improving carbon transparency, and securing green financing.

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Key motivations for conducting LCAs:

Among Austrian respondents who provided a reason, three main drivers emerged:

• a strong environmental commitment,
• alignment with the EU Taxonomy,
• compliance with national regulations.

Certifications such as BREEAM, LEED, or HQE were also mentioned, though less frequently than local schemes like klimaaktiv or ÖGNI

LCA practices in projects in the country

Are you conducting LCA on renovation project ?

These figures show a relatively high level of engagement in renovation contexts compared to other markets, reflecting Austria’s growing focus on building retrofit and energy-efficient refurbishment.

What are main challenges at the moment?

A significant portion of respondents did not specify any particular challenge. Among those who did, the following key obstacles to broader LCA adoption emerged:

• 38.5% mentioned the difficulty of convincing stakeholders of their material choices, reflecting the importance of communication and buy-in in project teams.
• 28.2% cited the need to train themselves in building LCA methodology, underlining a clear demand for upskilling.
• 25.6% expressed concerns about ensuring the reliability of their carbon strategies, especially in the context of regulatory alignment or financing.
• 15.4% pointed to the challenge of conducting more reliable LCA calculations.
• 10.3% indicated the pressure to produce LCA studies in the shortest possible time.

These results show that both technical capacity and stakeholder engagement are key levers to unlock more systematic LCA integration in Austrian construction projects.

How much time for a LCA this year ?

On average, Austrian respondents reported spending 4.8 days to complete a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) in 2024.

This is slightly less than in Germany, where the average time reported was 5.1 days, suggesting that Austrian practitioners may be either more efficient or working on less complex scopes of LCA projects.

Readiness for future regulatory thresholds

Austrian Construction Professionals: Are You Familiar with the EPBD?

Among Austrian respondents who answered the question, the level of awareness of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) remains relatively low:

These results show that while awareness of the EPBD is growing, deeper understanding remains limited — highlighting a need for more targeted communication and training on upcoming European regulatory requirements in Austria.

Conduct LCA for the CSRD or Green taxonomie ? :

Out of all Austrian respondents:

These figures show that over a third of respondents are already aligning with emerging European reporting and financing requirements. However, a significant portion of the market is either unaware or not engaged with these frameworks. This presents an opportunity for increased outreach and capacity building.

Insights for professionals working in Austria

Key takeaways on LCA adoption and opportunities :

• The adoption of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) in the Austrian construction sector is progressing slowly but steadily. This trend is supported by European regulations and directives, national voluntary initiatives such as the klimaaktiv label, and a growing awareness of climate-related challenges.
  
  
• A Varying Level of Maturity Among Stakeholders: Survey responses highlight that knowledge of LCA remains partial in the Austrian market. While some professionals have integrated the methodology into their work, nearly half of respondents said they are only somewhat familiar with the EPBD directive, and over a quarter have limited or no awareness of it. This underlines a clear need for training and support, even among technically skilled profiles.
  
  

• Clear priorities: training, tools, and reliability

  Despite having strong resources such as ÖGNI, klimaaktiv, and environmental databases compatible with European standards, Austrian professionals face practical challenges:

  • 38% cite difficulties in convincing stakeholders about their material choices,
  • 28% point to a lack of training in LCA methodology,
  • 25% highlight the need to increase the reliability of their carbon strategies.

  Many also report pressure around tight deadlines for completing LCAs and a lack of standardized calculation methods.

  Accelerating LCA adoption in Austria

  To scale up LCA across the sector, it is essential to strengthen internal skills, deploy accessible tools answering the requirements from EU regulations and directive like Vizcab, and support professionals in building robust carbon strategies.

  Austria already has a solid foundation for mainstreaming LCA, but large-scale adoption will depend on targeted training, harmonized methodologies, and better operational alignment with EU frameworks.

  Conclusion

  The 2024 Barometer results confirm a clear momentum: LCA is becoming a key transformation lever for the Austrian construction sector. While the shift is still taking shape, it represents a strategic opportunity for forward-thinking professionals. By anticipating regulatory changes, showcasing high-performance projects, and tapping into green financing, Austrian stakeholders can gain a competitive edge and lead the way toward mainstream low-carbon construction

  
  As a leader in LCA innovation, Vizcab encourages construction stakeholders in Austria to continue this transformation, supported by knowledge sharing, transparency, and a collective vision.
  
  

  Discover how Vizcab Platform can streamline your workflow, enhance efficiency, and help you achieve your carbon goals faster.

  Schedule your free personalized demo with Jakob Weigele, our Head of Region Dach&DK !