“No prospects for success” – Austrian branch of climate activist group Last Generation disbands

Austria’s branch of the “Last Generation” (Letzte Generation) climate action group has announced its dissolution, arguing its direct action protests cannot be successful. In an open letter addressed to its supporters and Austrian citizens, the group claimed Austria wanted to remain in “fossil ignorance” and that “society has failed”. “We have carried on despite violence, death threats, arrests and imprisonment, hatred or fines totalling tens of thousands of euros”, the group stated, adding “we no longer see any prospects for success”. The activists accused the Austrian government of “utter incompetence over the past two years”. “We are making space for something new to emerge. We have politicised more people than ever before and planted seeds for a peaceful uprising.”

The Last Generation group's protests in Germany and Austria have largely focussed on blocking road traffic in major cities and other acts of civil disobedience to raise the public’s awareness of insufficient emissions reduction policies. The activists' largely unpopular actions have drawn heavy criticism, especially from conservative politicians, but also from some Green Party members and many citizens, who argue that the form of protest is causing rejection rather than acceptance of more rigorous climate policies among the wider public. The group remains active in Germany and has staged protests at various airports in the country in recent weeks.