The Prime Minister stressed that politics should show a willingness to address climate-related topics, while we all need a sound approach and compromise because extremes are never beneficial. “We need long-term measures and clear decisions and orientations, not a mixture of different ones.”

The Prime Minister also recalled the extremely important energy independence of Slovenia in the future and the necessity to reduce energy consumption, of which we are all aware although ‘we will never reach zero’. He continued that we must ask ourselves what can be done regarding traffic, which is the number one polluter and contributor to our carbon footprint. “We need to improve the railway infrastructure, electrify certain railways and especially implement the transition to a circular economy and green forms of energy. The first thing we need to do is change our way of thinking. What is also needed is billions of euros. Therefore, we must all be of one mind because this can only be achieved with joint efforts. Everything is feasible on paper, but things are very different in practice,” he underlined and concluded his speech with the thought that parties’ political game-playing should be overcome and our mentality should change.

Tuesday marked the beginning of the public discussion about the amended draft National Energy and Climate Plan and environmental report, which will be open for 30 days. A broad and well-founded debate in good faith, based on expert findings, is crucial in finding the path and consensus of the widest range of stakeholders about Slovenia's ambitious but feasible goals for 2030, which will take into account important national circumstances and constitute an appropriate step towards a climate-neutral Slovenia by 2050.