Environment
Environmental Protection
- The crystal-clear green of the river Soča.
In November 2005, the National Assembly of the Republic of Slovenia adopted the new National Environment Protection Programme (NEPP) for the period up to 2012, whose main objective is the general improvement of the environment and the quality of life, and the protection of natural sources. It is a starting point for the environmental dimension of Slovenia’s Development Strategy, determining the vision of Slovenia’s future, and giving the orientation and measures for its realisation.
The basic aim of the environmental protection policy is to ensure sustainable development. In the environmental field this means the organisation of the economy, infrastructure, settlement, and way of life in view of the carrying capacity of the environment and natural resources, and the promotion of the integration of environmental issues with other sectorial policies in line with the principle of integration.
The basic aims of the NEPP in particular fields are:
- Setting out climatic change as an important challenge in the years ahead, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, thus contributing to the long-term stabilisation of the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, as well as reducing the emission of substances causing ozone layer degradation.
- Protecting and preserving all natural systems, habitats, freeliving animal and plant species, with the aim of preventing the loss of biotic diversity, genetic variety and further soil degradation.
- Contributing to the high quality of life and social welfare of citizens by ensuring an environment in which the level of pollution does not harmfully affect people’s health and by encouraging sustainable development in cities, and above all ensuring the measures for establishing good water quality.
- Handling waste and using renewable and non-renewable natural resources that enable sustainable production and consumption, contribute to reducing environmental pollution and energy use so that the latter does not exceed the environment’s carrying capacity.
The Olm (Proteus anguinus)
The olm, also known as Proteus (Proteus anguinus), or ‘human fish’ in certain languages, is a particular kind of amphibian. The only European cave-dwelling vertebrate lives in the subterranean waters of the Dinaric Karst. It is the only member of the Proteidae family (genus Proteus) in Europe, while its remote ‘cousins’ live in surface waters in the eastern United States of America. Read more »
Links
Environmental Agency - National Meteorological Service of Slovenia 
- Offers up-to-the-minute information on weather conditions in Slovenia.
Natura 2000 - The treasures of Slovenian nature.
Ministry of Agriculture and the Environment - Site covers the main areas of its activity, staff details, major projects and so on.
The Institute of the Republic of Slovenia for Nature Conservation (IRSNC)
Features
Seed Library
March 2012
The preservation of different plant varieties – especially native and traditional – is of vital importance in maintaining the biodiversity of cultivated plants. Seed libraries have proved to be a good practice to follow in preserving this diversity...
Matevž Lenarčič to fly around the world again
January 2012
The biologist, pilot and photographer Matevž Lenarčič has decided to greet the sky once more. As part of the project he calls GreenLight WorldFlight he plans to fly solo around the world, this time from East to West. While you read this article, Matevž is...
Pipistrel wins NASA prize for third time in a row
October 2011
The Pipistrel team from Ajdovščina, Slovenia, was awarded NASA prize for the most energy efficient aircraft. The world’s first ever electric-powered four-seat aircraft, the Taurus G4, won Pipistrel this third consecutive victory.
Europe-wide campaign for sustainable mobility effectively helps Slovenes change their habits
October 2011
Slovenian towns and municipalities have taken an active part in European Mobility Week from the very outset. Interest in the campaign is growing year by year, and this year, with the European Mobility Week taking place for the tenth time in a row, as many as...
Julon, the first in the world with "green" polyamide
July 2011
Julon opened a new production line, which is the first so far to allow polyamide production from 100% recycled materials. There are several reasons why it is classified as the technology of the future: oil, which is the basic raw material for the "plastic"...