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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Good

In Slovenia, forests have been growing in terms of growing stock and increment for decades. They have increased by more than 140% over the last 70 years. In addition to natural conditions, harvesting depends on socioeconomic factors, and recently on the occurrence of natural disasters (windbreaks, icebreakers) and bark beetles outbreaks. By 2014, the felling accounted for about 50% of the increment. After the ice storm in 2014, it increased substantially and accounted for 60 to 75% of the total increment of conifers and deciduous trees.

Neutral

The number of inhabitants who live in the impact area of major railways outside urban areas and are exposed to rail traffic noise has not changed significantly in the past years. In 2017, around 7,000 inhabitants were exposed to high noise levels throughout the day and around 10,700 inhabitants during the night. Between 2012 and 2017, the number of inhabitants who are exposed to high rail traffic noise did not decrease.

Good

The number of inhabitants who are exposed to high noise levels along major roads and railways in Maribor is gradually decreasing. In Maribor, in terms of inhabitants exposed, rail traffic is less significant noise source compared to road traffic, which is one of the most significant noise sources. It is estimated that approximately 16,400 inhabitants are exposed to high road traffic noise levels throughout the day.

Neutral

Systematic research on soil pollution shows that soils in Slovenia, with some exceptions, are not heavily polluted. In 42% of top soil samples taken in the period from 1999 to 2019, no exceedances of the limit values of dangerous substances into the soil were detected. In 56% of the samples the limit values of inorganic pollutants were exceeded and in 5% the limit values of organic pollutants. The most polluted areas with inorganic pollutants were Jesenice, Idrija, the Celje Basin and the Upper Mežica Valley.

Neutral

In 2021 the Water Rights for special use of water were issued in 8385 acts (water permits, concessions), with additional more than 10.000 cases of minor spatial water uses with neglectable influence on state of water, were in the process of evidencing in the Water Book.

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.