https://feeds.thelocal.com/ Read the latest news and views from Austria in English en-us news@thelocal.com (TheLocal) webmaster@thelocal.com (TheLocal) TheLocal RSS Feed The vast majority of Europe's beaches offer "excellent" water quality for swimming, the EU environment agency said on Tuesday ahead of the summer season, with coastal nations and inland Austria topping the list. https://www.thelocal.at/20260616/most-beaches-in-europe-offer-excellent-water-quality-study-says Tue, 16 Jun 2026 16:22:00 +0200 most-beaches-in-europe-offer-excellent-water-quality-study-says Austria’s dry spring affected farms, with some hay harvests sharply down and pressure building on rivers, groundwater and fields. https://www.thelocal.at/20260616/why-austrias-dry-spring-could-affect-farms-food-and-water-this-summer Tue, 16 Jun 2026 12:15:15 +0200 why-austrias-dry-spring-could-affect-farms-food-and-water-this-summer After standardising chargers for mobile phones, from Tuesday new computers sold in EU countries must also use the USB-C charging point, as the latest phase of EU anti-waste legislation comes into force. https://www.thelocal.at/20260428/eu-anti-waste-law-new-laptops-sold-in-europe-must-now-use-usb-c-chargers Tue, 28 Apr 2026 12:16:33 +0200 eu-anti-waste-law-new-laptops-sold-in-europe-must-now-use-usb-c-chargers Tick season has arrived in Austria, bringing increased risk of serious illnesses like TBE and Lyme disease. Here’s how to protect yourself, your children and your pets. https://www.thelocal.at/20250422/tick-season-in-austria-how-to-protect-yourself-from-tbe-and-lyme-disease Tue, 22 Apr 2025 12:19:12 +0200 tick-season-in-austria-how-to-protect-yourself-from-tbe-and-lyme-disease In Austria, one in every six people suffers from allergies, with pollen allergies being the most common form. Here is everything you need to know about them. https://www.thelocal.at/20240408/where-in-austria-are-pollen-levels-the-highest Mon, 08 Apr 2024 13:58:45 +0200 where-in-austria-are-pollen-levels-the-highest Environmental pollution is linked to several mental health disorders in Europe, the European Environment Agency (EEA) has warned, arguing that enforcing legislation would result in Europeans being both less depressed and less anxious. https://www.thelocal.at/20260305/pollution-exposure-in-europe-linked-to-mental-health-problems Thu, 05 Mar 2026 14:10:55 +0100 pollution-exposure-in-europe-linked-to-mental-health-problems Austria has fallen in a major climate ranking despite strong renewables. Why are emissions, transport and weak policy still holding the country back? https://www.thelocal.at/20251118/why-austria-keeps-slipping-in-global-climate-rankings Tue, 18 Nov 2025 17:24:08 +0100 why-austria-keeps-slipping-in-global-climate-rankings Austria’s government announced it will move forward with a controversial motorway project that includes a tunnel under a national park, in a decision strongly opposed by environmental groups. https://www.thelocal.at/20250926/austria-greenlights-motorway-project-despite-environmental-objections Fri, 26 Sep 2025 16:28:13 +0200 austria-greenlights-motorway-project-despite-environmental-objections A young male elk known as Emil has been captured in Austria and taken to the border with the Czech Republic after spending the summer roaming across central Europe. https://www.thelocal.at/20250923/moose-on-the-loose-austria-deports-famous-elk-after-weeks-on-the-run Tue, 23 Sep 2025 15:28:59 +0200 moose-on-the-loose-austria-deports-famous-elk-after-weeks-on-the-run Environmental campaign group Greenpeace has slammed the fact that budget flights between destinations in Europe are still often significantly cheaper than travelling by train. https://www.thelocal.at/20250822/unfair-budget-flights-in-europe-up-to-26-times-cheaper-than-train-routes Fri, 22 Aug 2025 18:32:46 +0200 unfair-budget-flights-in-europe-up-to-26-times-cheaper-than-train-routes Europe has thousands of incredible swimming spots around its beaches, lakes and rivers, but which countries have the cleanest and dirtiest waters? https://www.thelocal.at/20250621/revealed-where-in-europe-has-the-cleanest-and-dirtiest-swimming-spots Sat, 21 Jun 2025 11:12:22 +0200 revealed-where-in-europe-has-the-cleanest-and-dirtiest-swimming-spots The British government has introduced temporary restrictions on travellers from European countries from bringing meat and dairy produce – even in sandwiches – into the country. https://www.thelocal.at/20250415/travellers-from-europe-banned-from-taking-meat-and-dairy-products-into-uk Tue, 15 Apr 2025 18:33:18 +0200 travellers-from-europe-banned-from-taking-meat-and-dairy-products-into-uk Austria has banned German climate activist Anja Windl for two years over her protest actions with Last Generation, prompting her to appeal the decision and criticise its democratic implications. https://www.thelocal.at/20250407/german-climate-activist-faces-expulsion-from-austria-after-two-year-ban Mon, 07 Apr 2025 17:38:16 +0200 german-climate-activist-faces-expulsion-from-austria-after-two-year-ban "Alarming" levels of microplastic have been found in major rivers across Europe according to scientists in 14 studies published simultaneously Monday. https://www.thelocal.at/20250407/europes-great-rivers-hit-by-alarming-microplastic-pollution Mon, 07 Apr 2025 15:53:21 +0200 europes-great-rivers-hit-by-alarming-microplastic-pollution A major redesign of the Donaukanal is underway, with plans for food-trucks and pop up restaurants set to scrapped and replaced with green areas, more seating, and sunbathing spots. https://www.thelocal.at/20250328/revealed-viennas-ambitious-plans-for-its-treasured-donaukanal Fri, 28 Mar 2025 13:30:45 +0100 revealed-viennas-ambitious-plans-for-its-treasured-donaukanal Vienna’s Repair Cafés offer free repairs for small appliances and textiles, helping residents save money and reduce waste. Here’s how to find them. https://www.thelocal.at/20250217/what-are-viennas-repair-cafes-and-how-can-you-find-them Mon, 17 Feb 2025 12:39:40 +0100 what-are-viennas-repair-cafes-and-how-can-you-find-them If you think you've seen less snow this season than in previous years, you're right: Austria is facing a winter with well below-average snowfall. Here's why and what the impacts are on Alpine country. https://www.thelocal.at/20250214/where-is-the-snow-why-austria-is-experiencing-its-driest-winter-in-decades Fri, 14 Feb 2025 12:26:29 +0100 where-is-the-snow-why-austria-is-experiencing-its-driest-winter-in-decades Austria could see higher motorway speed limits if plans move forward under an FPÖ-led government. Why the proposal is so controversial and what could happen in the future? https://www.thelocal.at/20250204/could-austrias-speed-limits-increase-under-a-new-government Tue, 04 Feb 2025 16:46:00 +0100 could-austrias-speed-limits-increase-under-a-new-government Beer lovers in Austria will soon notice a key change when purchasing their favourite brews. The adjustment comes as part of a broader effort to promote sustainability and reusable packaging in line with EU regulations. https://www.thelocal.at/20250124/why-is-beer-getting-more-expensive-in-austria Fri, 24 Jan 2025 11:27:59 +0100 why-is-beer-getting-more-expensive-in-austria Greenhouse gas emissions in Austria dropped to 68.6 million tons in 2023, with progress attributed to climate policies and reduced fossil fuel consumption. https://www.thelocal.at/20250120/austrias-greenhouse-gas-emissions-decline-but-challenges-remain Mon, 20 Jan 2025 16:53:46 +0100 austrias-greenhouse-gas-emissions-decline-but-challenges-remain