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

Natura 2000 areas were designated in 2004. Acording to the conclusions of bilateral meeting with European Comission in 2014 the Natura 2000 network was expanded in 2016. Natura 2000 area cover 7681 km2 or 37,50% of the total area and 7676 km2 or 37,87 % of the terrestrial area of the country.

Neutral

Environmental protection is important to the residents of the EU and Slovenia. The most significant environmental issues mentioned are growing amount of waste, air pollution, and climate change. A large majority of respondents agreed with statements expressing concern about various environmental problems and acknowledging their impact on their daily lives and health.

Bad

Trends in annual precipitation are not as obvious as temperature trends. Changes between years and differences between regions are significant. According to climate change projections, annual precipitation will slightly increase while changes in seasonal precipitation will be noticeable. The most worrying are summer conditions, because less precipitation and higher temperature might result in higher frequency of droughts. In winter, more precipitation may lead to an increase in flooding events.

Bad

Temperature in Slovenia is increasing faster than global average. Increase in the annual average temperature is most evident in the last three decades. Warming of the atmosphere will continue according to the climate change projections. The result of warming is an increase in sea level (due to melting of glaciers and thermal expansion), increase in level of the greenhouse gases in the atmosphere (contributes to warming), and many extreme weather and climate events (like floods, droughts, hail and heavy wind), which will influence the quality of our lives.

Neutral

Asthma is the most common chronic disease among children and one of the major causes of hospitalization to the age of fifteen. In 2019, in EU countries, the share of people reporting asthma was 5,7 %, and for Slovenia it was 4,8 %.  In the period 2017-2021, the municipalities of Kostel, Kobilje and Cankova stood out in terms of the number of hospitalizations for asthma. Recent evidences support relationship between exposure to air pollution and exacerbation of asthma, mainly due to exposure to particulate matter (PM10).

Neutral

Comparison of periods 1961-1990 and 1991-2020 on the chosen representative stations around Slovenia shows decrease of heating degree days by around 10 % and multiple increase of cooling degree days. With projected continuous temperature raise until the end of 21st century, those trends are expected to continue. Thus, in Slovenia, energy demand for cooling will increase in the warmer period of the year, while the energy demand for heating will decrease in colder period of the year. Same trend is projected for Europe in general.