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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 2024, agricultural land covered 18.8% of nature protection areas of various types in Slovenia. 26.3% of all agricultural land is included in nature protection areas. In the past, agriculture in Slovenia has contributed to high diversity of species and habitats and played a key role in the shaping of cultural landscape. Creation of protected areas is only the first step towards the preservation of traditional agricultural habitats; these habitats will only be preserved if the farmers have an economic interest in maintaining them.

Neutral

The estimated average long-term dietary intake of metals (lead, cadmium, and mercury) for the adult population of Slovenia does not exceed the corresponding reference points (BMDL) or health-based guidance values (tolerable daily/weekly intakes). However, for children, the average intake of lead, cadmium and mercury (fish consumers) may be exceeded, a situation similar to that in the EU.

Bad

Temperature observations show increasing trend of maximum and minimum absolute temperature in between 1961 and 2022, reflecting a global warming. Number of hot days is increasing, including the frequency of extreme hot days with daily maximum temperature above 35 °C. In the summer of 2013, the highest temperature so far was measured in Slovenia, and local temperature records were observed at many meteorological stations. A record number of hot days was observed in 2022. Number of days with temperature below zero show a decline.

Bad

Precipitation is highly variable in space and time, even more than temperature, and extreme precipitation events (storms with torrential rain, hail) and drought are of particular concern. In the last two decades, Slovenia  has been observing extreme droughts and abundant precipitation resulting in floods. Drought and floods can occur even within the same year. The maximum snow cover depth and the depth of fresh snow decreased in the period 1950–2022.

Good

In 2023, around 182 million pieces of plastic carrier bags were placed on the Slovenian market, of which 99% were those with a wall thickness of less than 50 microns (light plastic carrier bags). In Slovenia, the consumption of lightweight plastic carrier bags amounted to 85 bags per capita in 2023 In the same year, 145.9 million pieces of single-use food containers made wholly or partly of plastic and 174.4 million pieces of single-use beverage cups made wholly or partly of plastic were placed on the Slovenian market.

Bad

In the period 2003-2024, the highest exposure to ozone concentrations were detected in the Primorska region in summer where air quality measuring stations in Koper and Nova Gorica Grčna detected highest ozone concentrations in ambient air. There are some differences from year to year in a level of ozone exposure due to meteorological conditions in the warm half of the year and other regional characteristics.