Slovenia: Big on Plans, Small on Deeds?

Abstract

Slovenia has travelled on a long and bumpy road in tackling climate change. More than a decade ago, the issue was already high on the government’s list of priorities, however, with a change of government in 2012, it was pushed to the back burner. It was not until 2020 that the first signs of a more ambitious and decisive policy returned with adoption of the integrated national energy and climate plan, the Slovenian climate long-term strategy 2050 (2021) and the national coal phase-out strategy (2022). Finally, the government elected in April 2022 made green transition one of its top priorities. While the country faces significant challenges and implementation gaps in some areas critical to achieving its ambitious green transition, the EU will continue to be an important carrot and stick for Slovenia’s climate policy.