InvestSlovenia

ENVIRONMENT

Internationally comparable strengths of Slovenia’s environment:

Polycentric regional development

Low urbanization and low share of built up land in urban centres

Protection of biodiversity and landscapes (huge continuous forest eco-system third in Europe after Finland and Sweden - 22,000 animal and plant species)

Timely launch of pollution abatement and control (CO2)

Environmental protective expenditure

CO2 emissions in metric tons per capita, 1997

Source: Human Development Report 2001.

In Slovenia, the degradation of the environment has been less intense than in other CEE countries. Although Slovenia has a relatively high level of economic development, approximately 60% of Slovenia's environment is still intact and land take minimum. This defines one of the nation's competitive advantages, and shows how economic development can be successfully integrated with environmental considerations.

Forest area (% of land area)

Source: OECD 2001, for Slovenia: EIONET 2002.

Several environmental management and protection issues, including recycling, CO2 emission reductions, water use and pollution, landfills, etc. are being addressed in the process for harmonisation of existing legislation and institutional capacities with EU standards. Funds for environmental protection projects (waste water treatment plants, etc.) are planned to increase considerably in the first decade of the third millennium.

Water withdrawal for household and industry (% of gross annual availability)

Source: OECD 2001, for Slovenia: EIONET 2002.

NOx emissions

Source: OECD 2001, for Slovenia: EIONET 2002.

SO2 emissions

Source: OECD 2001, for Slovenia: EIONET 2002.

There are no significant ore and mineral deposits in Slovenia. Existing mines for brown coal, uranium, mercury, and zinc have been closed down or output reduced for either economic or environmental reasons.