Read news from:
Austria
SHARE
COPY LINK

ENVIRONMENT

Why Austria is lagging behind its EU climate targets

A report by the European Union Commission states that Austria is not on track to meet its 2040 carbon neutral targets.

Published: 24 May 2022 09:53 CEST
Wind turbines in the rape seed field in Austria
The energy crisis is a big challenge for Austria right now. (Photo by Zbynek Burival on Unsplash)

Austria has an ambitious plan to become carbon neutral by 2040, but the EU Commission claims the country is not on track to meet its climate neutrality target.

“So far, reductions in greenhouse gas emissions are not on a trajectory compatible with Austria’s binding target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in sectors outside the EU Emissions Trading System by 36 per cent by 2030 compared to 2005”, the report claims.

READ ALSO: How will climate change impact Austria?

Even when accounting for additional measures, the country still risks falling short of its goal by 9 percentage points, the Brussels authority announced on Monday as part of the European Semester.

One of the major challenges for Austria is reducing transport-related emissions, as the country serves as a significant transit point for transalpine road freight, the EU says.

Therefore, it recommends Austria develops further mobility solutions and alternatives to car use, citing “local buses, car sharing, soft mobility”.

This includes solutions to connect remote and rural areas to public transport networks, a particularly crucial movement in a country that has several rural villages and towns – and many commuters to larger cities.

READ ALSO: How Austria plans to become carbon neutral by 2040

“Efforts to further decarbonise and electrify heavy-duty vehicles could also be stepped up to curb emissions”, the Brussels commission added.

Bureaucracy halts investments

According to the report, lengthy permitting procedures and underinvestment in the electricity grid are also critical challenges for reaching renewable energy targets.

The commission mentioned that “investment in renewable energy is hampered by complex spatial planning and permitting procedures”.

READ ALSO: How Vienna plans to expand its tram and park & ride systems for commuters

The process of acquiring the necessary licences for wind power projects, for example, typically takes 6.3 years, according to the report.

This is due to the bureaucracy involved in the division of powers between the federal and regional governments and partly due to staffing problems.

According to the EU commission, the country needs to invest an estimated € 18bn in accommodating the planned expansion of renewable power generation.

Member comments

Log in here to leave a comment.
Become a Member to leave a comment.
For members

HEALTH

Where in Austria are pollen levels the highest?

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.

Published: 8 April 2024 13:58 CEST
Where in Austria are pollen levels the highest?

Around 16 percent of the population in Austria suffer from allergies, according to a survey by the research institute IMAS. Pollen allergies are the most common type of allergy that people living in Austria suffer from, making it one of the most common illnesses in the country.

They are also the main causes of complaints and struggles for many during the spring and summer seasons.

The most common symptoms include an itchy nose, watery eyes, sneezing, or in severe cases, even breathing difficulties.

Where in Austria are pollen levels the highest?

In Austria, some areas are known for experiencing higher pollen levels, such as the eastern regions of the country, including Vienna, Lower Austria, and Burgenland. These regions have many agricultural areas and large urban green spaces, which are home to a wide range of plants and vegetation.

Lowland areas with fertile soils, such as the Danube Valley and the flatlands of eastern Austria, support diverse plant life and can, therefore, be especially challenging places for allergy sufferers to visit.

It is also a good idea to avoid alpine valleys and meadows in the western parts of the country, where certain types of grasses and wildflowers can produce larger amounts of pollen.

You can check the pollen conditions in different regions of the country here.

Pollen allergies are very common in Austria. (Photo by Philippe HUGUEN / AFP)

Why do pollen allergies increase during spring and summer?

Pollen allergies tend to worsen during the spring and summer months due to various factors. The warmer and longer days during spring and summer create an ideal situation for plants to grow, bloom and and produce more pollen.

The warmer seasons also mark the peak of plant pollination when trees, weeds and grasses release large amounts of pollen into the air as part of their reproductive cycle. This pollen can easily spread long distances with the wind, creating a difficult situation for those who are allergic.

Due to climate change, the situation has gotten worse during the last couple of years. We experience higher temperatures all over the globe which increases the amount of pollen (and makes pollen season longer) in the air, and in turn is leading to a rise in pollen-related allergies such as hay fever.

READ MORE: Everything foreigners need to know about the Austrian healthcare system

What can you do if you suffer from hay fever?

If you suffer from hay fever, you can treat the symptoms with oral or topical antihistamines, easily found at pharmacies. They are effective in improving symptoms such as itching and sneezing. Nasal decongestants are also effective and can prevent the start of symptoms.

Another effective method is to limit your exposure to pollen, even if this can be hard during warm and sunny days.

Here are some things that you can try to take into consideration:

– Avoid spending a lot of time outside on days when the pollen count is high.

– Try to not be outside between 5 am and 10 am and 7 pm to 10 pm when pollen levels are at their highest. 

– Keep your windows closed at home and while driving in a car.

– Do not dry your clothes outside when the pollen counts are high, as grains can stick to your clothing.

– Take a shower when coming in after being outside.

READ NEXT: The subtle ways living abroad in Europe can affect healthcare costs

SHOW COMMENTS