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.

Good

Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions due to land-use change generally show a declining trend. In 2021, GHG emissions from deforestation decreased by 0.5% compared to the previous year, with more than half, i.e. 62%, of these emissions coming from the establishment of agricultural land. GHG emissions due to land conversion to built-up and related land decreased by 2.8% compared to the previous year. The largest share of emissions (66%) is due to the conversion of agricultural land to built-up and related land.

Bad

Slovenian forests are over-mature, the current ratio of forest development phases is unfavourable, forest regeneration is too slow, or the areas of forests under restoration are too small to significantly change the share of forest development phases and thus ensure sustainable forest development. The role of forests as a carbon sink is at risk.

Neutral

Net greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the land use, land-use change, and forestry (LULUCF) sector amounted to -3.106 kt CO2 eq in 2021. In this year, the net emissions were higher or sinks smaller by 1.2% compared to the previous year and by 57% compared to 2005. According to data from the Slovenian Forest Service, felling in 2021 decreased by only 3.6% compared to 2020. In 2021, and for the first time since 2014, the share of sanitary felling was less than a third of the total annual felling.

Neutral

Areas of fields and gardens in measures that require fertilization based on rapid soil or plant tests have significantly exceeded the target value set by the 2014–2020 Rural Development Programme.

Good

In the period after 2000, nitrogen consumption from mineral fertilisers initially declined. After 2009, consumption more or less stabilised at around 27,500 tonnes, with annual values ranging from 26,300 to 29,143 tonnes. With the exception of 2021, the target value (< 28,000 t) has been achieved in recent years. The increase in 2021 was probably the result of purchases of mineral fertilizers for stock, which were made due to expected price increases and supply disruptions.