Slovenia
Slovenia rises 11 spots to rank 30th in this year’s CCPI, now among the medium performers. It rates medium in GHG Emissions and Climate Policy and low in Renewable Energy and Energy Use.
The country adopted a Long-Term Climate Strategy in 2021 and is now adopting a Climate Law to improve climate governance. The strategy sets the target of climate neutrality by 2050 but foresees most emissions reductions after 2030. The draft Law sets a 2045 target for climate neutrality.
Coal Phase-Out and GHG Emissions Reductions Expected
The coal phase-out in Slovenia is set for 2033. However, the CCPI country experts expect dramatic GHG emissions reductions much earlier, as the only large lignite power plant is in financial trouble and will only continue operating at low capacity to provide heat to the local district heating grid. The medium-term plan is to replace lignite as a heating source as soon as possible and close the power plant much sooner than 2033.
There are no plans for gas and oil phase-outs. The experts also criticise that subsidies for fossil fuels remain higher than for renewables. Although the Integrated National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP) includes a long-term target to significantly reduce fossil fuel subsidies, the target has recently become less credible as it has been watered down in the latest draft of the Climate Law and the latest NECP update. A new energy law adopted in April 2024 restricts the installation of gas boilers in new buildings.
Woody biomass is widely used for heating individual houses in Slovenia, but this negatively impacts air quality. An attempt to legally restrict the use of solid biomass for heating in new buildings failed in 2023 because of the opposition’s strong backlash.
A Tradition of Sustainable Forest Management, and Carbon Sinks Will Be Needed
Slovenia’s forests represent a GHG emissions sink and forestry is one of the sectors that has devoted the most attention to climate change adaptation measures. The country has a long tradition of sustainable forest management. Achieving climate neutrality by 2050 is expected to require an 80–90% emissions reduction from 2005 levels, relying heavily on carbon sinks in forests, which are increasingly threatened by extreme weather events and the slow renewal of forest development. Also, measures in the National Recovery and Resilience Plan and Common Agricultural Policy Strategic Plan 2023-2027 aim to ‘increase productivity, competitiveness and technological development in forestry,’ which is not in line with conservation measures. The experts warn that these policies could encourage logging in previously closed forest stands and threaten forests in Natura 2000 areas.
The experts do note significantly improved provision of financial assistance to people affected by extreme events and improved resilience to climate change events, such as flooding.
The experts recommend that Slovenia finally adopt an ambitious Climate Law. The expansion of renewable energy production also should be accelerated and fossil fuel subsidies should be phased out as soon as possible. Top priority should also be given to reducing energy consumption, especially in the transport sector, where both energy consumption and emissions have increased in recent years. Climate change adaptation should be taken more seriously by increasing natural sinks and their resilience to climate change.
Key Outcomes
- Slovenia rises 11 spots to rank 30th in this year’s CCPI, now among the medium performers
- The experts also criticise that subsidies for fossil fuels remain higher than for renewables
- Key demands: expansion of renewable energy production also should be accelerated and fossil fuel subsidies should be phased out as soon as possible. Top priority should also be given to reducing energy consumption, especially in the transport sector, where both energy consumption and emissions have increased in recent years
The following national experts agreed to be mentioned as contributors for this year’s CCPI:
