Umweltdachverband

Umweltdachverband (UWD), based in Vienna, is the umbrella organisation for 35 Austrian environmental and nature conservation organisations and alpine associations, collectively representing around 1.4 million members. Founded in 1973 as the Österreichische Gesellschaft für Natur- und Umweltschutz (ÖGNU), it has grown into a central platform for environmental advocacy, lobbying, and public awareness in Austria. The organisation works on biodiversity conservation, climate protection and renewable energy, circular economy, water protection, and the sustainable development of the Alps. It is the Austrian host of CIPRA (Commission International pour la Protection des Alpes) and the EU-Umweltbüro, which serves as an information hub between the EU and Austrian environmental organisations. UWD also runs FORUM Umweltbildung, promoting ecological education projects. As a non-partisan association, it engages in dialogue with politics, administration, business, and science to develop practical solutions for environmental and nature conservation. The organisation celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2023 with a tour across Austria's federal states. It is a member of international bodies including IUCN, EUROPARC, the European Environmental Bureau (EEB), and others. UWD is not a commercial brand but a non-profit umbrella organisation; it operates as a registered association (Verein) under Austrian law.

The Umweltdachverband (UWD) was founded on 27 March 1973 in Vienna's Palais Auersperg as the Österreichische Gesellschaft für Natur- und Umweltschutz (ÖGNU). The founding members included Naturfreunde, Alpenverein, Touristenklub, Naturschutzbund, Verband Österreichischer Höhlenforschung, and Bergwacht. The inaugural meeting was attended by Ingrid Leodolter, Austria's first environment minister. The organisation was created to support the emerging ecological movement in Austria. Its first president was Herbert Moritz (1973–1984), followed by Herbert Salcher (1984–1986) and Alfred Stingl (1986–1993). From 1993 to 2014, Gerhard Heilingbrunner served as president, and since 2014 Franz Maier has been honorary president. The first managing director was Helfried Ortner (1973–1974), followed by Erhard Zach, Franz Hiess, Heinz Kaupa, Walter Scharf, Willi Linder, Bernadette Damböck, Franz Maier (1994–2008), Michael Proschek-Hauptmann (2008–2017), and Gerald Pfiffinger since 2017. Over the decades, UWD grew to 35 member organisations. In 2023, it celebrated its 50th anniversary with a tour across Austria's federal states. The organisation has been involved in key environmental issues: water protection (EU Water Framework Directive), climate and energy policy, rural development, Alpine protection (Alpenkonvention), nature conservation (Natura 2000), and sustainability. It hosts CIPRA Österreich, the EU-Umweltbüro, and FORUM Umweltbildung. In 2026, FORUM Umweltbildung was transferred to HAUP, and the organisation moved to a new office in Vienna's 4th district.

• 2026

  FORUM Umweltbildung transferred to HAUP; relocation to new office in Vienna's 4th district.

• 2023

  50th anniversary celebrated with a tour across Austrian federal states.

• 2017

  Gerald Pfiffinger becomes managing director.

• 2014

  Franz Maier becomes honorary president.

• 2008

  Michael Proschek-Hauptmann becomes managing director.

• 1994

  Franz Maier becomes managing director.

• 1993

  Gerhard Heilingbrunner becomes president.

• 1986

  Alfred Stingl becomes president.

• 1984

  Herbert Salcher becomes president.

• 1973

  Founded as Österreichische Gesellschaft für Natur- und Umweltschutz (ÖGNU) on 27 March in Vienna.

• 1973

  Herbert Moritz becomes first president.

Non-partisan umbrella organisation and advocacy platform for environmental and nature conservation interests in Austria.

1. 1Umweltdachverband official websiteumweltdachverband.at
2. 2Wer wir sindumweltdachverband.at
3. 3Geschichte & Meilensteineumweltdachverband.at
4. 4Was wir tunumweltdachverband.at
5. 5Umweltdachverband – Wikipediade.wikipedia.org
6. 6Wikidata entrywikidata.org