Austrian Environmental Law Days 2025

The Institute for Environmental Law at the University of Linz, in cooperation with the Austrian Water and Waste Management Association (ÖWAV) and with the support of the Association for the Promotion of the Institute for Environmental Law, will once again host the Austrian Environmental Law Days (URT) from September 17th to 18th, 2025, at the Johannes Kepler University Linz. The overarching topic of this year’s event is “Location and Overriding Public Interest.“

By summer of this year, in implementation of RED III (Renewable Energy Directive), the Renewable Energy Expansion Act (EABG), the Electricity Industry Act (ElWG), and some other measures are expected to provide the necessary impetus for accelerating procedures and expanding renewable energy in the overriding public interest, according to the government program. The setup and organization of compensation areas to offset impacts on biodiversity and nature are also part of the conference program. The responsibilities of the federal states in this complex implementation process will likewise be discussed. As usual, the latest environmental and climate protection law in legislation and jurisprudence will be reviewed and analyzed. Impact and momentum in sustainability law at all levels and among all stakeholders are imminent.

Wilhelm Bergthaler will participate as event director, speaker, and moderator. On Wednesday, September 17th, 2025, from 3:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. in Block II: Location and Overriding Public Interest, Wilhelm Bergthaler, together with Dr. Celin Gutschi, will give a presentation on “Location Issues and Energy.” He will also moderate Block IV: Current Developments in Environmental Law – Part 2 on Thursday, September 18th, 2025.
Anna Obereder, together with Dr. Birgit Hollaus, will present on “New Developments in Public Law – Jurisprudence” on Wednesday, September 17th, 2025, from 10:45 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. in Block I: Current Developments in Environmental Law – Part 1.