Traffic issues in the Estonian capital, Tallinn, mirror challenges faced by cities in Western Europe in the 1970s, primarily due to overdependence on cars, ERR reports. Suburban sprawl, inadequate public transportation, and lack of infrastructure for alternative transport modes have increased reliance on cars for daily commutes, leading to traffic congestion and reduced accessibility. Despite…
Estonia’s Ministry of Climate will propose legislation to support the development of more wind farms both on land and at sea, ERR reports. Climate Minister Yoko Alender said that the ministry would create a 20-year support plan for offshore wind farms. The ministry plans to hold an auction for offshore wind capacity in the first…
Estonia’s air quality can be rated “good” overall, according to the Ministry of Climate, ERR reports. Most pollution in Estonia comes from vehicle exhaust fumes, improper use of heating stoves, and similar sources. A study conducted by the University of Tartu in 2022 showed that air pollution causes around 1,200 premature deaths annually in Estonia,…
Long-time Estonian MP, former prime minister Siim Kallas will step down from the parliament, the Riigikogu, ERR reports. Timo Suslov, secretary general of the Estonian Reform Party, said that Kallas, 75, was stepping down due to health reasons. His seat in the Riigikogu will now be taken up by Reform’s Jüri Jaanson. Kallas said that…
Ukraine should have the right to strike Russian air bases to “eliminate the sources of attacks and save lives,” Estonia’s Defence Minister, Hanno Pevkur, stated, ERR reports. He pointed to Russia’s continued attacks on residential buildings and critical infrastructure. Ukraine knows where the strikes are coming from, Pevkur noted. He reiterated Estonia’s position that the…
Estonian power plants produced 5,686 GWh of electricity in 2023, which was 37% less than in 2022, according to data from Statistics Estonia, ERR reports. Power plants produced 4,323 GWh of heat energy (district heating), which was down 15% on year. The amount of electricity generated from oil shale fell by nearly 40% over a…
The consumer price index (CPI) in Estonia rose by 3.2% on year in August 2024, according to data from Statistics Estonia, ERR reports. The price of goods rose by 1.4% and services by 6.3% over a year. Compared to July 2024, the CPI rose by 0.4%. The CPI was affected the most by the increase…
Russia’s military intelligence (GRU) has been conducting cyberattacks against Estonia, other NATO and EU states, and Ukraine since 2020, according to the Estonian Internal Security Service (KAPO), ERR reports. A police investigation identified three GRU officers suspected of involvement in the attacks, and a court has issued international warrants for their arrest in absentia. The…
The Estonian government plans to cut public funding for political parties by 10% in the 2025 state budget, Prime Minister Kristen Michal announced, ERR reports. Both Michal and Regional Affairs Minister Piret Hartman expect that the reduction will have an impact on party activities. Michal said that right-wing parties, which usually receive more support from…