Climate action in Slovenia: Latest state of play

The EU binding climate and energy legislation for 2030 requires Member States to adopt national energy and climate plans (NECPs) covering the period 2021 to 2030. In October 2020, the European Commission published an assessment for each NECP. Slovenia submitted its NECP in February 2020. More than half (52 %) of Slovenians expect national governments to tackle climate change. Slovenia accounts for 0.5 % of total EU greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and has reduced its emissions at a slower pace than the EU average since 2005. The carbon intensity of the Slovenian economy decreased by 36 % between 2005 and 2019, a higher rate than the EU average. Energy industry emissions fell by 29.5 % in the 2005-2019 period in the country. Measures, such as coal phase-out, are expected to further decrease these emissions. The sector with the greatest percentage reduction in emissions between 2005 and 2019 – 45.2 % – was 'other emissions' (buildings and tertiary sector). Under the Effort-sharing Decision (2013 2020), Slovenia was allowed to increase emissions in sectors not included in the EU emissions trading system by 4 %, compared with 2005 levels, and is on track to achieve this target. The Effort-sharing Regulation (2021-2030) requires Slovenia to reduce these emissions by 15 %. The share of renewable energy sources in the country reached 22 % in 2019. For 2030 the target is 27 %, to be reached mainly through solar and hydro power, and through the use of wood biomass.