Environment
Latest news from across Europe on the environment, climate, climate change and green issues.
France to relax cheese-making rules due to record heatwaves and drought
Widespread drought and record-breaking heatwaves have forced France to relax some of its famously strict rules on cheese production, with authorities announcing on Wednesday special measures for abondance, beaufort and comté.
Extreme weather and jellyfish knock one-fifth of France's nuclear capacity offline
France on Wednesday recorded a more than 20 percent shortfall in nuclear power production capacity, a record deficit caused by environmentally related outages linked to drought, extreme heat and a jellyfish invasion.
Solar eclipse sparks scramble for protective glasses across Europe
The scramble for protective glasses has reached fever pitch across Europe ahead of Wednesday's rare total solar eclipse, as pharmacies, opticians and other shops struggle to keep them in stock.
Factcheck: Will this year's French wines really taste smokey?
The vineyards of Bordeaux escaped the huge wildfires in the region, but the smoke has blown over a large area - so will this affect the taste of 2026 vintages?
'Crisis' level water restrictions imposed in 60% of French départements
Two thirds of départements in France are suffering such severe drought that 'crisis' level water restrictions have been imposed. From gardens to swimming pools and drinking water - here's what those restrictions mean for households.
Q&A: Everything you need to prepare for the total solar eclipse in Spain
There's less than a week left until the highly anticipated total solar eclipse in Spain. We've got all the info you need to prepare for this unique event on August 12th, from the likelihood of clear skies in your area to apps to find the best viewing location.
‘Almost like gold’: Water debate rages on Italy’s Aeolian Islands
Without natural drinking water, residents of Italy's Aeolian Islands are mulling whether to build more desalination plants that will also cater to the large number of tourists, or continue bringing in water by ship.
OPINION: The French are right to shun air conditioning - even during heatwaves
France's heatwaves always spark debates on air conditioning - which much of the country remains deeply resistant to. Some argue that warming temperatures make widespread AC inevitable, but The Local's editor Emma Pearson explains why she thinks the French are right to resist.
Most beaches in Europe offer 'excellent' water quality, study says
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.
EU anti-waste law: New laptops sold in Europe must now use USB-C chargers
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.
Pollution exposure in Europe linked to mental health problems
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.
Two British skiers among three dead after avalanche in French Alps
Three skiers - two of whom were British - died after an avalanche in the French Alps on Friday, bringing the death toll from avalanches in France since the start of the season to 25.
Norway closes in on goal of 100 percent electric car sales
Norway came close to its objective of selling only zero-emission cars in 2025, with electric vehicles accounting for 95.9 percent of new registrations.
What does Norway's 2026 budget mean for country's oil industry?
Norway owes its massive wealth to oil, but reserves are declining. As part of the 2026 budget settlement, the country is to set up a commission to study potential scenarios for the country's post-oil economy.
Extreme summer heat of 2025 is 'turning point', says French minister
This year's punishing back-to-back heatwaves and ferocious wildfires in France were a "taste of what's to come", as climate change pushed summer temperatures to near record highs, the country's environment minister warned on Tuesday.
VIDEO: Thousands of feral goats invade town in south of France
In a small town in the south of France, residents have become used to sharing their space with the local wild goat population - but things are now getting increasingly strained as the goat population has reached around 2,000.
OPINION: Seine swimming is part of a quiet revolution in Paris
The three new bathing spots in the River Seine have proved popular with Paris tourists and locals alike this summer - but Emma Pearson argues that they represent much more than just a pleasant place to cool off on a hot day.
'Unfair privilege': Flights in Europe up to 26 times cheaper than train routes
Environmental campaign group Greenpeace has slammed the fact that budget flights between destinations in Europe are still often significantly cheaper than travelling by train.
Record EU wildfires ‘burnt more than 1 million hectares in 2025’
Wildfires have so far ravaged more than one million hectares of land in European Union countries this year, a record since recording began in 2006, according to AFP analysis of official data.
Greta Thunberg and other activists block Oslo main street in oil protest
Greta Thunberg and more than 100 more climate activists blocked Oslo's main avenue and a bank branch on Thursday to demand Norway shutter its oil industry, police and organisers said.
French vineyards start 'abnormally early' harvest after heatwaves
Harvesting has begun at vineyards across France, an unusually early start to the grape-picking season linked to warming temperatures and early summer heatwaves.
Bizarre skies and sunsets in France due to smoke from Spanish wildfires
From strange orange-tinted clouds to spectacular sunsets, drifting smoke from Spanish and Portuguese wildfires are the cause of bizarre skies in south-west and western France, according to Météo France.
'Perfect summer' for mosquitoes in Paris region
The combination of a cool, damp July followed by a hot August has created what scientists call a 'perfect summer' for mosquitoes in the greater Paris region.