Terminating Pollution means Terminating Dependence
Vienna, 16 June 2026 – Prominent Leaders from Politics, Faith and Civil Society – Including Kamala Harris and Pope Leo XIV – Advocate for Climate Action and a Sustainable Energy Future
Vienna, June 16, 2026 – “Only renewables are reliable.” With this message, Arnold Schwarzenegger opened the 10th AUSTRIAN WORLD SUMMIT in Vienna today. Addressing an international audience, he emphasized that the fight against pollution also means ending dependence on fossil fuels and the geopolitical risks associated with them.
To mark the summit’s 10th anniversary, Schwarzenegger brought together leading politicians and decision-makers from around the world in Vienna. Kamala Harris, the 49th Vice President of the United States, chose Vienna for her first international appearance following the 2024 U.S. election campaign. Alongside Harris, Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen, Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker, European Commissioner for Energy and Housing Dan Jørgensen, and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz helped shape the summit’s exceptionally high-level program.
Schwarzenegger: Terminate Pollution
“Today, people get it. They want to terminate pollution. And they have seen what happens when we rely on fossil fuels from unstable countries like Russia and Iran. It’s not only unhealthy. It’s unreliable,” said Schwarzenegger. He emphasized that renewable energy is not only a climate solution but also a path toward greater security and independence. “It gives us true independence,” Schwarzenegger said. “In 2026, people want clean energy. They want dependable energy.”
Harris and Schwarzenegger are “Unstoppable”
During a joint fireside chat, Kamala Harris and Arnold Schwarzenegger discussed leadership, democracy, climate action and social cohesion. Despite their different political backgrounds, both emphasized their shared conviction that pollution must be tackled decisively.
Harris pointed out that people are primarily concerned with affordable housing, providing for their families and managing their monthly expenses. Policymakers must therefore create solutions that both protect the climate and reduce the cost of living. Clean energy is already the more affordable alternative in many places today.
“Years ago, we had to convince people. Today, they only need to look at their energy bills,” Harris said. Together, Harris and Schwarzenegger underlined that the energy transition can only succeed across party lines. And they are certain: “We are unstoppable.”
Surprise Video Message from Pope Leo XIV
In a surprise video message, Pope Leo XIV addressed the participants of the AUSTRIAN WORLD SUMMIT. Despite the global challenges facing the world, he called for confidence and decisive action. Hope, he said, can be a “powerful driving force” in shaping the transition to a society “where the common good takes precedence over profit and economic activity is rooted in solidarity and human dignity.”
Voices from the AUSTRIAN WORLD SUMMIT 2026
Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen, who has served as patron of the summit since its inception, said: “Protecting our planet is not an ideological issue, but a logical one. We must keep demonstrating, again and again, that we all benefit from stronger climate action. Renewable energy is not a threat to people or to businesses—it is an opportunity.”
European Commissioner for Energy and Housing Dan Jørgensen: “The current fossil energy crisis is a stark wake-up call. And once and for all, we must be clear: we can no longer be so dependent on imported fossil fuels and exposed to external shocks. Now is the time to move away from fossil fuel dependence and move towards clean energy autonomy. This is what our citizens deserve: a future where energy is reliable, cleaner and cheaper.”
Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker joined this year’s summit and shared his perspective on Austria’s role in advancing sustainable solutions. “The Austrian World Summit is an indispensable forum and a clear political signal: climate policy is security policy. The energy transition is not an ideological question but a strategic necessity – for energy security, economic strength and Europe’s political independence. Austria brings genuine expertise in the field of renewable energy and takes its responsibility as a reliable international partner seriously. Because the crises of our time cannot be solved by any one country alone. In the fight against climate change, too, we need dialogue, cooperation, and effective multilateralism – now more than ever. We bear a special responsibility: not only to our citizens today, but also to our grandchildren. Future-proof policy means investing in clean technologies, resilient infrastructure, and climate policy grounded in common sense – one that goes hand in hand with job security and a strong economic foundation.”
Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Climate Action Norbert Totschnig: “Once a year, the eyes of the world turn to Austria for the AUSTRIAN WORLD SUMMIT, bringing together high-level leaders and decision-makers from across the globe. We use this opportunity to showcase Austria’s progress, achievements and cutting-edge environmental technologies on the world stage. At the same time, we can learn from successful examples and best practices from around the world. This exchange of ideas is invaluable and truly makes us unstoppable together. With more than 80 percent of its electricity generated from renewable sources such as wind, hydropower and solar energy, Austria ranks among the world’s leading countries. We are determined to continue on this successful path. By doing so, we are making Austria more resilient to international crises and less dependent on fossil fuel imports. At the same time, we are reducing costs for households and businesses while further strengthening Austria as a hub for innovation and economic growth.”
Monika Langthaler, Director of the Schwarzenegger Climate Initiative and organizer of the AUSTRIAN WORLD SUMMIT: “As we celebrate the 10th AUSTRIAN WORLD SUMMIT, one message stands out: the solutions are there, and so are the people willing to make them happen. Over the past decade, this summit has grown into a global platform for collaboration, innovation, and action. Today’s discussions once again showed that when we work together across sectors and borders, meaningful progress is possible.”