The Austrian Assessment Report 2014 (AAR14) is based on the IPCC structure and process. The report aims to present the scientific knowledge pertaining to Austria in a coherent and complete manner to submit this in the form of policy-relevant information to the Austrian Federal Government and political decision-making bodies at all levels, and thereby providing a decision-making basis for the private sector and a knowledge base for academic institutions. Similar to the IPCC assessment reports, the AAR14 is based on the principle of being policy-relevant, but not policy-prescriptive. In a joint, three-year effort approximately 240 Austrian scientists have developed this first progress report on climate change in Austria, and thus summarized the current state of knowledge on the characteristics of climate change in Austria, its consequences, and mitigation and adaptation strategies.