Slovenian MPs adopted the national climate law
Ljubljana – The Slovenian parliament has approved the climate law after nearly two years of negotiations, which incorporates several European directives in this area into Slovenian legislation. Among other things, it stipulates that Slovenia will achieve climate neutrality by 2045.
The goal of the law, which received support from 51 members of the 90-member National Assembly, is to ensure long-term security, quality of life, and sustainable economic development in light of climate challenges, according to Slovenian Minister for the Environment, Climate and Energy Bojan Kumer.
“This is the first systemic law addressing climate change in the broadest possible sense,” he emphasized.
Slovenia will be able to start drawing funds for the social climate fund based on the law for the first time, which will be entirely dedicated to people, and for which the ministry is already preparing the first content. Due to the law, the state will also be able to systematically approach the preparation of a strategy for adapting to climate change. The law also introduces a risk assessment for all sectors and the preparation of regional action plans to tackle the challenges of climate change at a systemic level.
In addition, it brings measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the building and transport sectors, which are being implemented throughout the EU, as well as the implementation of a system for monitoring and reporting greenhouse gas emissions. It will enable the implementation of the European Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM).
The coalition party Left has expressed disappointment that many progressive contents, such as the abolition of subsidies for fossil fuels – which NGOs have been calling for all along – were excluded from the law. Nevertheless, its members also supported the law.
“We believe that this law is as balanced as possible at this moment. I think we are somewhere around three-quarters, not halfway,” Minister Kumer said in response to the criticism. (July 15)
