Carinthia allocates 4.5 million euros for school heat protection

Carinthia is making 4.5 million euros available for heat-protection measures at schools and kindergartens, ORF reports. The state will cover 80 percent of eligible costs, with applications open until the end of 2027.

So far, 98 municipalities have applied for funding and 300 measures have been approved. Projects include planting greenery in schoolyards, adding sponge-city trees and installing air conditioning. Each school and kindergarten can decide which measures to implement.

Plans include replacing sealed surfaces with shrubs and trees in the playground of a primary school in the district of St. Veit. In the district of Feldkirchen, sponge-city trees will be planted. In Hermagor, play areas will be shaded and an air-conditioning unit purchased. In Spittal, schools will receive blackout curtains, shade sails and a drinking-water fountain.

The funding comes after a proposal by Vienna and Carinthia to bring the summer holidays forward by two weeks because of rising June temperatures failed to win agreement among the federal states. Business and tourism representatives also raised concerns. Carinthia’s climate coordination team in Department 8 is advising municipalities on the measures.