Press Release 20th March 2026

BILLA Awarded State Prize for Climate Change Adaptation

For years, BILLA has been committed to nature and species conservation in Austria, including by designing its stores as biodiversity-rich spaces—featuring natural meadows, climate-resilient trees, and green roofs and facades. These measures reduce heat islands, store rainwater, provide habitats for birds, insects, and butterflies, and sustainably improve the quality of the environment for customers and employees. A study by the Institute of Zoology at the University of Graz impressively demonstrates that BILLA’s stores serve as important stepping-stone habitats and even core habitats for numerous endangered and critically endangered species. These comprehensive efforts were recognized this week with the highest state award: BILLA was awarded the “CliA” – the Austrian State Prize for Climate Change Adaptation.

A group of six men in formal attire stand together holding awards and a large check for EUR 1,000. They are posing in front of a marble wall, and the check and awards are labeled with "BILLA AG: Filialbegrünung" and "Klimawandelanpassung und Artenschutz im Lebensmitteleinzelhandel."

(from left to right): Ronald Würflinger (Secretary General of Blühendes Österreich), Bernd Vogl (Managing Director of the Climate and Energy Fund), Norbert Totschnig (Minister of Agriculture), Robert Nagele (BILLA Board Member and Board Member of Blühendes Österreich), Andreas Streit (Head of Sustainability), and Peter Merhar (Senior Sustainability Project Manager) at the State Prize award ceremony. / Copyright: BMLUK-Hemerka, Reproduction for PR purposes free of charge

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At a glance

BILLA Receives the “CliA” – the Austrian State Prize for Climate Change Adaptation – for Its Work on Climate Change Adaptation and Species Conservation in the Food Retail Sector
BILLA prioritizes sustainable landscaping of facades, roofs, and parking lots at its stores and has developed its own landscaping manual in collaboration with experts
Since 2015, BILLA has been committed to biodiversity and nature conservation in Austria through initiatives such as the “Blühendes Österreich” Foundation

Robert Nagele, BILLA Executive Board Member and Executive Board Member of Blühendes Österreich: “For years, BILLA has focused on greening roof surfaces and exterior facades as well as expanding flowering meadows in its site development, thereby continuously expanding the green spaces at its stores. The fact that this commitment has now been honored with the State Prize fills me with great pride. I would therefore like to thank everyone involved who passionately drives our nature conservation projects forward. Together, we have already achieved a great deal and will resolutely continue on this path.”

Green roofs and facades at BILLA stores

Since 2018, BILLA has provided technical support for numerous pilot projects on greening its stores, collected over 400 ideas, and incorporated them into the BILLA Greening Handbook for all stores. The guide serves as a reference and guide for service providers in selecting suitable plants for flowering meadows, designing green facades and roofs, and implementing innovative solutions such as permeable pavers.

Training, community and employee engagement, communication initiatives, and monitoring ensure effectiveness and acceptance. The green spaces require minimal maintenance, are economically viable, and can be expanded as needed. The project combines climate change adaptation, species conservation, and quality of life, demonstrating how companies can systematically create sustainable green spaces.

BILLA Foundation „Blühendes Österreich“

In the spring of 2015, BILLA AG and BirdLife Austria jointly established the non-profit foundation “Blühendes Österreich” (Blooming Austria)—with the clear goal of advancing nature conservation in Austria. The volunteer board brings together representatives from BirdLife Austria, experts in nature conservation, agriculture, and science, as well as representatives from BILLA. Since then, the foundation has worked with 300 project partners to restore and enhance over 1,600 hectares of biotopes of high conservation value—including bogs, riparian forests, rivers, dry grasslands, and orchard meadows.