The main objective of the Austrian energy strategy is the stabilisation of final energy consumption, which means that the level of energy-use by 2020 should be reduced comparing to the level in 2005. This will be achieved by improving energy efficiency and reducing energy consumption in all sections and by means of replacing fossil fuels through renewables, thereby guaranteeing security of supply. For the building sector, this means an energy reduction of 10 %. In 2020, all new buildings should be built as nearly zero energy buildings or nZEB.

The Austrian pilot project of EPISCOPE concerns the housing stock of the province of Salzburg, which has set ambitious goals in its energy efficiency action plan. Its short-term goals until 2020 include a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by at least 30 %, compared to the emissions in 2005, and an increase of the share of renewables up to 50 %. Until 2040, 100 % of the energy used for space heating in buildings is planned to be provided by district heating and renewables. These goals have emerged on the basis of the targets of the national plan for the nearly zero energy buildings 2020.