Ljubljana – After nearly two years of negotiations, the Slovenian parliament has passed the climate law, which integrates several European directives into national legislation. The law establishes that Slovenia aims to achieve climate neutrality by 2045.
With backing from 51 out of 90 members of the National Assembly, the law’s objective is to promote long-term security, enhance quality of life, and foster sustainable economic growth amid climate challenges, according to Slovenian Minister for the Environment, Climate and Energy Bojan Kumer.
“This is the first comprehensive law targeting climate change,” he stated.
The law enables Slovenia to access funding for the social climate fund for the first time, which will focus entirely on supporting individuals, with the ministry already working on initial proposals. Additionally, the law allows the state to systematically develop a climate change adaptation strategy, including risk assessments across all sectors and the creation of regional action plans to address climate change challenges.
Furthermore, it includes measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the building and transport sectors, in line with EU standards, and establishes a system for monitoring and reporting greenhouse gas emissions. This will facilitate the implementation of the European Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM).
The coalition party Left has expressed dissatisfaction over the exclusion of several progressive elements, such as the removal of fossil fuel subsidies, which NGOs have consistently advocated for. Nonetheless, they chose to support the law.
“We consider this law to be as balanced as possible at this moment. We are about three-quarters of the way there, not halfway,” Minister Kumer responded to the criticism. (July 15)
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