Amsterdam bans creation of new hotels
Another piece in the overall strategy to reduce tourist flows to the city
As Russia disrupts gas supplies to EU countries, many are getting ready to meet demand by using coal
Last Sunday, the Austrian government announced that the Mellach power plant near the city of Graz will be converted so that during emergencies it can start burning coal again. In a lot of ways, this decision is hugely symbolic, as the Mellach plant was the last in the country to shut down, following the Austrian coal exit in 2020.
As the war in Ukraine rages on, Russian state energy giant Gazprom has cut or reduced supplies to many EU countries, including Bulgaria, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Italy, Austria and Slovakia. The situation has prompted a veritable scramble among governments across the bloc who are desperately trying to fill their natural gas storage facilities before winter rolls around.
The upcoming Czech EU Presidency echoes lawmakers’ fears as their published programme puts a clear emphasis on energy security over green energy transition. The German government has also announced that it will use coal to supplement energy generation, while Robert Habeck, Minister for Economy and Climate Action, announced that the federal government will ask businesses to curb their consumption.
Back on Saturday, Austria’s Climate Protection and Energy Minister Leonore Gewessler said in a written statement that Russia was no longer a reliable energy partner, which put her country in emergency gas supply mode.
This includes the Mellach coal power plant, which was closed down on 17 April 2020, following a government announcement, saying the country was officially off coal. The victory of sustainable energy, however, seems to have been declared prematurely, as now it will take months to re-equip the former plant to run on coal again. It will be used in the event that other means are unable to meet winter’s demands for electricity and district heating.
Nevertheless, Gewessler was quoted by the ORF, the Austrian national broadcasting agency, explaining that this would reduce the country’s dependency on Russia and would close the door to what she dubbed ‘energy blackmail’.
Now, authorities are trying to fill Austria’s vast gas storage facilities, with the goal set at 80% capacity by 1 November 2022. This may prove a challenge, as, according to government sources, storage facilities were 39% full in mid-June. Austria has vast gas storing capacities, capable of providing energy for up to a year for the entire country if they are 100% full.
However, this option will not yet be available for the upcoming European Parliament elections in June
Two years after also being the first European country to decriminalize prostitution
Silesian is spoken by about half a million people in the south of the country
However, this option will not yet be available for the upcoming European Parliament elections in June
The tool helps identify undeclared swimming pools and garden sheds
It will serve as a virtual companion to the municipal network of libraries in the country
The tests are also experimenting with a charging point that is easier to maintain
Reportedly, the aim of the local government is to curb violence and disorder among the youth
The city thinks that it’s time to update pet-related street cleanliness rules for the 21st century
The ritual is more than 1000 years old and was originally performed by the Doges
Two years after also being the first European country to decriminalize prostitution
For English speakers that would be Saint Domnius, the patron saint of the Dalmatian capital
Urban dwellers across the EU are having a say in making their surroundings friendlier to people and the environment.
Forests in the EU can help green the European construction industry and bolster a continent-wide push for architectural improvements.
Apply by 10 November and do your part for the transformation of European public spaces
Catch up with some recommendations for the 2024 European Capital of Culture programme from the mayor of Tartu
An interview with the ICLEI regional director for Europe аfter the close of COP28
An interview with a member of the No Hate Speech Network team