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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Neutral

The Happy Planet Index (HPI) ranks countries based on how effectively they provide their citizens with the conditions to live long and happy lives without excessive depletion of natural resources. Slovenia ranked 53rd in the world according to the HPI in 2019 (out of 152 countries included in the calculation) and 12th among the EU-27 countries and the United Kingdom. Despite an increase in per capita ecological footprint in Slovenia between 2016 and 2019, the HPI value has increased from 44.5 to 47.9. This is due to a slightly longer life expectancy and higher life satisfaction.

Good

In 2022, 75% of energy supply in Slovenia was available to end-users, marking the highest level observed in the period. This percentage is largely influenced by the efficiency of electricity and heat production. In thermoelectric power plants and combined heat and power plants, almost half of the input energy was lost in 2022. Compared to the EU-27 countries, Slovenia ranked in the lower third. Electricity production from combined heat and power plants accounted for just over 6% of total production in Slovenia in 2021, with this share declining in recent years.

Neutral

The average concentrations of dioxins and dl-PCBs in fish and seafood are the highest among all foods, followed by other animal-derived foods. Long-term average exposure of the Slovenian population to dioxins due to fish consumption does not exceed the Tolerable Weekly Intake (TWI), except for infants and toddlers, indicating a higher health risk for the most vulnerable groups. When considering only fish consumers, exposure to dioxins and PCBs exceeds the TWI in all age groups.

Bad

Lyme borreliosis (LB) and tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) are the most common vector-borne diseases transmitted by ticks. Between 2014 and 2023, Slovenia reported annually slightly less than 3,000 to over 7,000 cases of LB and an average of 105 TBE cases (the highest in 2020 - 187 cases, the lowest in 2015 and 2021 - 62 cases). Due to climate change, which influences the expansion of tick habitats and extends their activity season, the risk of infection may increase in the future. Increased awareness and individual prevention are key factors in reducing the burden of both diseases.

Neutral

The data for Slovenia shows that in the past five years, one infant died due to respiratory diseases, specifically in 2021, representing 11.1% of all infant deaths in that year. Research has indicated that air pollution is associated with higher infant mortality rates due to respiratory diseases. However, this relationship is complex, as it is also influenced by other factors such as the presence of allergens, exposure to cigarette smoke, diet, and lifestyle.

Neutral

The year 2022 was exceptional for electricity production in Slovenia, as difficulties with coal supplies led to the lowest production from solid fuels since 1992, and drought also reduced production from renewable energy sources. This resulted in a record share of nuclear energy in electricity production (42%) and very low total production (13.4 TWh), the lowest since 1999. The share of domestic electricity production was 71%, below the target set in the National Energy and Climate Plan, and the annual production was 40% lower than the gross consumption.