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

Species diversity in Slovenia is stil considerably well preserved, distinctly higher in western part of the country. Without systematic monitoring on permanent plots it is impossible to recognize short term trends, but in some regions negative trends are result of landuse changes and impact of alien invasive species.

Bad

The trend of food consumption after 2000 is slightly declining in almost all categories. One possible explanation for this decline is probably changed eating habits when we eat less at home. At the same time, there is a marked upward trend in food and beverage costs. The results of research show that of all food categories, meat and dairy products have the highest environmental impacts. The number of agricultural holdings with organic farming in Slovenia is slowly growing, but the dynamics of growth of organic production is not satisfactory.

Bad

More than three-quarters of the apartments/houses were built before 1990, and the majority, nearly half, between 1961 and 1990. The Slovenian housing stock is therefore old and in need of renovation; in their renovation lies the greatest potential for reducing environmental impacts and reducing energy consumption. At the same time, the share of households with low incomes - i.e. those who are also expected to invest in apartment/house renovations - is around a quarter of all households.

Bad

In Slovenia, the share of one-member households - with higher expenditures and also a greater impact on the environment - has been rapidly increasing in the last ten years. Most households own all the usual household appliances (e.g. washing machine, refrigerator, etc.) and have been rapidly equipping themselves with new ones in recent years; thus electricity consumption does not decrease but increases slightly. Otherwise, most of the electricity is used for space and water heating and cooking. The consumption of electricity for cooling also increased, but decreased for lighting.

Neutral

Population trends of selected bird species show that the state of the environment in the cultural landscape is still deteriorating, especially in some parts such as Prekmurje and Ljubljansko barje. The population of selected forest bird species is stable, however, a trend of deterioration of its habitat was recorded in recent years, as a result of intensified logging. Bird populations that winter on Slovenian rivers and other water bodies have different trends that are mostly in line with trends of regional biogeographic populations of waterbirds in Europe.

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.