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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Bad

The ownership of passenger cars, closely linked to their usage, has been steadily increasing in Slovenia for a long time – it has doubled since the country's independence in 1991. Between 2008 and 2015, car ownership grew more slowly due to the economic recession, but since 2015, the growth has accelerated again. The exceptions were the pandemic years of 2020 and 2021. Slovenia's motorization rate (measured in the number of personal cars per thousand inhabitants) exceeds the EU average and is higher than that of many economically more developed EU countries.

Good

The phosphorus (P) budget in agriculture decreased by 109 % in the period 1992–2024. The decline is the result of a decreased P intake with mineral and livestock fertilizers, as well as the consequence of increased P uptake by agricultural crops. The period up to 2003 was characterized by a surplus of 11 to 16 kg per hectare. Thereafter, the surpluses decreased and reached an average value of +0.4 kg P per hectare in the last five-year period. A realistic comparison of the surplus with other EU Member States is not possible.

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.

Bad

Among the statistical regions of Slovenia, the Osrednjeslovenska region has the highest ecological footprint per capita (5.8 gha), while the Goriška region has the lowest (4.79 gha). The largest share of the ecological footprint in all regions is represented by the carbon footprint, contributing approximately 60%. A significant portion is also attributed to forest products (around 20%) and agricultural land (around 10%). The region with the highest biocapacity per capita is Primorsko-notranjska (8.02 gha), while Osrednjeslovenska has the lowest (1.11 gha).

Neutral

Annual growing season length is increasing almost everywhere in Europe, mostly in Eastern and Northern part. In Slovenia, the length of the annual growing season is increasing, especially since mid-1990s. According to projections, the duration of the annual growing season throughout Europe will increase in future.

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 increase slightly while changes in seasonal precipitation will be more noticeable. Summer conditions are the most worrying, 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.