Clean and Safe Environment

In the area of water management, Slovenia is not yet achieving the desired results, as water losses remain above the EU average.

The objective of the component is to implement comprehensive measures to strengthen prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery in the event of climate-related disasters, by improving infrastructure and related organisation, research, awareness-raising and training. The component is also aimed at improving water management.

Investments and reforms under the component will contribute to environmental preservation and climate adaptation, thus strengthening the country’s ecological, social, and economic resilience.

Strengthening preparedness and response in the event of climate-related disasters – reform

The reform shall define the organisation and response to climate-driven disasters through the creation of modular response units specialised and trained to respond to climate-related disasters at national, regional and local level, while redefining the role of the existing units. The structure shall address the climate-related disasters representing the highest risk for Slovenia, such as floods and large wild fires.

The reform shall be implemented through the entry into force of a new resolution on the national programme of protection against natural and other disasters.

Restoring and mitigating the effects of climate change and climate-related disasters on resilient forest biodiversity – reform

The reform shall contribute to achieving a good condition of habitats and species linked to the forests in order to enhance ecological services and biodiversity, and to build resilience to threats such as climate change impacts on forests.

The Rules on the Conditions for Entry in the Register of Suppliers and other relevant obligations of suppliers and requirements for the marketing of forest reproductive material shall be amended to ensure the appropriate quality of forest reproductive material. Rules on Certificates for Forest Reproductive Material shall be amended to improve tracking and expert supervision.

Strengthening prevention to increase flood safety – reform

The reform addresses the flood risk, which is among the most relevant climate change-related risks for Slovenia. 

The entry into force of a new Flood Risk Management Plan shall accelerate the planning and implementation of measures and projects that contribute to the prevention of the consequences of floods. Key elements of the reform shall be the establishment of a river control service and the introduction of automated solutions for control systems. The Water Directorate of the Republic of Slovenia shall be reorganised to achieve decentralisation and optimisation of the processes.

Increasing the efficiency of the operation of public environmental protection services – reform

The reform aims to improve the organisation and control of the public service and, by ensuring the sustainability of financing infrastructure upgrades, addresses the key challenge of losses in water management in Slovenia. The reform will upgrade the standard for the provision of the public service to increase the efficiency of water management and enable the use of reuse systems.

 The reform will ensure long-term sustainability of the financing of infrastructure investments by reviewing the cost-effectiveness of the charges and levies on water use. Another key aim of the reform is the upgrade of the information system for monitoring and reporting of the activity of public service providers.

Social and economic resilience to climate-related disasters in the Republic of Slovenia – investment

The objective of the investment is to support Slovenia’s social and economic resilience to wildfires.

The investment consists in the construction of a centre for the training of the civil protection and disaster relief units to respond to wildfires, and in the training of participants to respond to wildfires.

Reducing flood risks and reducing the risk related to other climate-related disasters – investment

The objective of the investment is to reduce flood risks and risks of landslides.

The investment consists in the construction of flood protection infrastructure, the establishment of a national water control centre and the assessment of the flood hazard in river basins in the Republic of Slovenia, as well as the establishment or construction of infrastructure for reducing landslide threats.

Centre for seeds, nurseries, and forest protection – investment

The objective of the investment is to contribute towards the quantity, quality and resilience of Slovenian forests.

The investment consists in the construction of a centre for seeds, nurseries and forest protection covering at least 2,510 square metres. The centre shall have a primary energy demand of at least 20% lower than that required for a nearly zero-energy building under the national rules on the construction of nearly zero energy buildings.

Urban waste water discharge, treatment and re-use projects – investment

The objective of the investment is to contribute towards the good condition of water bodies.

The investment consists in the construction of new waste water systems or the reconstruction of the existing waste water system.

Drinking water supply and savings projects – investment

The objective of the investment is to address water losses in Slovenia.

The investment consists in the construction of new drinking water supply systems or in the reconstruction of existing drinking water supply systems.