The indicator presents trends in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Slovenia and the main sources of these emissions. Emissions are expressed in kilotonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (kt CO₂ eq.), which accounts for the global warming potential of individual greenhouse gases.

The greenhouse gases monitored within the national emissions inventory include carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), nitrous oxide (N₂O), and fluorinated gases (F-gases), such as hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), and sulfur hexafluoride (SF₆). Emissions are calculated for the following sectors: transport, energy supply, industrial processes and product use, fuel combustion in industry, fuel combustion in households and commercial activities, agriculture, and waste.

A separate category is Land Use, Land-Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF), which accounts for emissions and removals associated with land use and forest management.

The European Union divides greenhouse gas emissions into two categories:

• EU ETS (Emissions Trading System): This is a market-based system covering large industrial facilities and power plants. These companies must purchase an emissions allowance for every tonne of CO₂ they emit.

• Non-ETS sectors (sectors outside the trading system): These include all other sources of emissions that are not covered by the EU ETS and therefore do not need to buy emission allowances. Examples include road transport, residential heating, agriculture, and waste management. In these sectors, countries reduce emissions through legislation, policies, and incentive measures.

Emissions in 2024

In 2024, Slovenia’s total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions excluding Land Use, Land-Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF) amounted to 15,484 kt CO₂ eq, which is 17.9% below the 1990 baseline and 4.1% higher than in 2023. Including LULUCF, net emissions were 11,032 kt CO₂ eq in 2024. Slovenia’s target is to achieve climate neutrality by 2050, meaning that emissions will be balanced by sinks -i.e., net emissions (including LULUCF) will be zero.

Among all GHGs, carbon dioxide (CO₂) had the largest share in Slovenia in 2024, accounting for 82.0% of total emissions, primarily from fuel combustion and industrial processes. This was followed by methane (CH₄) with 11.5%, mostly arising from agriculture and waste management, and nitrous oxide (N₂O) with 4.4%, also mainly from agriculture. Although quantitatively small, fluorinated gases (F gases) - including HFCs, PFCs, and SF₆ - due to the high global-warming potential accounting for 2,0%.

Over the past decade, the transport sector has become the largest source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, with road transport accounting for 99% of transport-related emissions. In 2024, emissions from road transport were 110% higher than in 1990. Despite improvements in vehicle efficiency, emissions have not declined due to the growing number of vehicles, the increasing share of larger and heavier passenger cars, and the high volume of freight transport. The share of electric vehicles in the vehicle fleet remains low (1.2%), meaning their impact on total emissions is still limited. As a result, technological improvements in vehicles have not been sufficient to offset the growth in transport activity.

Industry and construction represent the third-largest source of GHG emissions. Most emissions originate from the combustion of fossil fuels, while a smaller share results from the use of raw materials (mainly carbonates), which generate process emissions. Emissions from this sector have declined due to the transition from solid fuels to natural gas, as well as extraordinary events such as the global financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2024, fuel-combustion emissions from this sector were more than 50% lower than in 1990, while process emissions had decreased by approximately one quarter.

Agriculture is also a significant source of GHG emissions, with more than half of agricultural emissions originating from enteric fermentation in livestock, particularly cattle. Other sources include manure management and the application of organic and mineral fertilizers. Agriculture is the main source of methane (CH₄) and nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions. In 2024, agricultural emissions were 18% lower than in 1990. This reduction was primarily driven by a decline in pig numbers, improved manure management practices, more intensive dairy production, and better control of nitrogen inputs to agricultural land.

Forests, which cover more than 58% of Slovenia’s territory, are an important carbon sink. In 2024, net removals in the Land Use, Land-Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF) sector amounted to –4,451 kt CO₂ equivalent. After 2014, carbon sinks weakened due to extensive salvage logging following natural disturbances, and in some years the sector even became a net source of emissions. In recent years, however, the situation has improved, and net removals once again make a significant contribution to reducing Slovenia’s overall emissions.

To achieve the EU’s greenhouse gas reduction targets, it is important to distinguish between emissions covered by the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) and emissions from sectors outside the ETS. The EU ETS covers the largest producers of electricity and heat, as well as energy-intensive industries. Emissions in these sectors are reduced through the gradual tightening of the emissions cap and the declining number of available emission allowances. Nevertheless, in Slovenia, these emissions increased by 9% in 2024 compared with 2023.

Slovenia has a national target for non-ETS sectors, where emissions can be directly influenced through policies and measures. Emissions from these sectors must not exceed the annual allocations established under Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2023/1319. Taking LULUCF into account, emissions in 2024 were 8% below the allowable level for that year.

More detailed information on emissions in non-ETS sectors is available in indicator PO01 within the Climate Mirror (Podnebno ogledalo) reporting framework.Climate policy

International climate policy began with the adoption of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 1992, which Slovenia ratified in 1995. In 2002, Slovenia also ratified the Kyoto Protocol and exceeded its emissions reduction target for the 2008–2012 commitment period.

A major milestone was the Paris Agreement in 2015, through which countries committed to limiting global warming to well below 2°C and to gradually reducing the use of fossil fuels.

The European Union has set a target of reducing net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030 compared with 1990 levels and achieving climate neutrality by 2050. To support these objectives, the EU adopted the “Fit for 55” legislative package.

Slovenia is required to reduce emissions from non-ETS sectors by at least 27% by 2030 compared with 2005 levels. By 2050, both Slovenia and the EU aim to achieve climate neutrality, meaning net-zero greenhouse gas emissions. The key strategic document for achieving these goals is the updated National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP), adopted by the Government of the Republic of Slovenia at the end of December 2024. The vision of climate neutrality by mid-century is further elaborated in the Long-Term Climate Strategy (ReDPS50).