KAZALCI OKOLJA

Environmental indicators in Slovenia


Environmental indicators are based on graphs, maps and assessments and as such present environmental trends in Slovenia. The indicators represent one of the four pillars of our environmental reporting, and are prepared in accordance with the Environmental Protection Act. The Environmental Indicators in Slovenia website enables users to browse among 180 indicators. They are based on numerical data and they indicate the state, characteristics and trends of environmental development in Slovenia. They are prepared using a systematic approach based on data and monitoring, as shown in the information pyramid.

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Bad

Slovenians are big meat lovers. Data for 2021 show that we eat a lot of meat (all types of meat are included here), 89.28 kg per capita; the European average is 69.3 kg. We are also big consumers of eggs, with which we are almost self-sufficient, while fish consumption is modest and declining. However, the amount of food waste should not be neglected. A resident of Slovenia threw away an average of 68 kg of food in 2021, more every year, and most food waste is generated in households.

Bad

The volume of passenger transport demand has been increasing in Slovenia for several decades. Above all the volume of two most unsustainable modes – passenger cars and air transport (especially after 2002). The growth stopped after the economic recession in 2008 but intensified again after 2014. In 2020 and 2021 the pandemics caused another, steep decline. Trend of the public transport modes has been declining for decades, especially the proportion of intercity bus services.

Neutral

The value of agricultural output in Slovenia fluctuates in the period 1995–2020, which can be a consequence of fluctuation of changes in prices of agricultural products, changes in the volume of agricultural production or changes in both. In last couple of years, the key factor is the physical volume of production, which fluctuates markedly due to changing natural (weather) conditions. Similarly, the value of agricultural output, calculated per capita, fluctuates in the analyzed period, with long-term downward trend.

Neutral

Slovenian groundwater bodies most polluted with nitrates are those with intergranular (alluvium) aquifers, particularly in north-eastern Slovenia. Groundwater in karst and fractured aquifers is less burdened with nitrates due to geographical conditions, low population density and less agricultural land. In the period 1998–2020, the average annual levels of nitrates in water bodies in the Sava valley, Ljubljansko barje, Savinja, Drava and Mura basins show a statistically significant downward trend. In other water bodies, nitrate levels are not statistically significant.

Neutral

Air pollution is the most important environmental risk factor for human health, affecting an average of 400,000 premature deaths in the EU and costing Europeans an average of more than € 166 billion a year. In the case of the cities of Ljubljana and Maribor, external costs amount to almost EUR 271 million annually. Estimation of external costs of air pollution from transport is slightly decreasing.

Neutral

In Slovenia, the market prices follow the trends at the key agricultural markets, globally or regionally important. Market prices of grain are following the trend and the level of EU average, prices of beef are below EU average while the market prices of eggs and pig meat are above the EU average. Slovenia stands out with its market prices of milk, which are among the lowest in the EU.