Environmental Sustainability
#27Key Findings
Czechia falls into the bottom ranks internationally (rank 27) with regard to environmental sustainability.
Czech environmental policy is primarily driven by EU obligations. It has set a goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 30% by 2030. However, critics both inside and outside the government have questioned the plausibility of its targets. The plan envisions a phaseout of coal by 2033, but lacks a timeline for eliminating fossil-fuel subsidies.
The country ranks below the OECD and EU averages in terms of air quality, household exposure to solid fuels and water safety. Polluting energy sources contribute strongly to air pollution.
Despite decades of strategies on the issue, biodiversity loss remains a serious concern, largely due to agriculture and transport activities. The country is a high net greenhouse gas emitter, and has not made significant financial contributions to international climate activities in recent years.
Czech environmental policy is primarily driven by EU obligations. It has set a goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 30% by 2030. However, critics both inside and outside the government have questioned the plausibility of its targets. The plan envisions a phaseout of coal by 2033, but lacks a timeline for eliminating fossil-fuel subsidies.
The country ranks below the OECD and EU averages in terms of air quality, household exposure to solid fuels and water safety. Polluting energy sources contribute strongly to air pollution.
Despite decades of strategies on the issue, biodiversity loss remains a serious concern, largely due to agriculture and transport activities. The country is a high net greenhouse gas emitter, and has not made significant financial contributions to international climate activities in recent years.
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How committed is the government to the goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2050?
10
9
9
The government is clearly committed to achieving climate neutrality by 2050.
8
7
6
7
6
The government is largely committed to achieving climate neutrality by 2050.
5
4
3
4
3
The government is only somewhat committed to achieving climate neutrality by 2050.
2
1
1
The government is not at all committed to achieving climate neutrality by 2050.
Czech environmental policy is shaped by the country’s obligations to implement EU legislation. The National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP) from November 2019 outlines the main targets and policies in all five dimensions of the Energy Union for 2021–2030. The Czech Republic’s primary goal is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30% by 2030.
The updated NECP from 2023 shows some progress toward fulfilling international commitments under the Paris Agreement and presents an ostensibly comprehensive strategy. However, the adequacy of the policies has faced criticism both internally and externally. Within the government, this is evidenced by the Pirate Party’s proposal for a law with binding commitments. Externally, the European Commission criticized the plan in December 2023.
The updated plan reaffirms the intention to phase out coal for energy and heat generation by 2033 but lacks a precise timeline for eliminating existing fossil fuel subsidies. It does not analyze relevant vulnerabilities and risks and fails to specify how adaptation policies align with Energy Union objectives and policies. Additionally, the NECP lacks clarity on the scope, timing, and expected impacts of adaptation efforts, including ensuring adequate water resources for cooling nuclear power plants.
The document outlines ambitious renovation plans for buildings but lacks specific quantification of their energy-saving impact. In terms of energy security, the NECP emphasizes diversification away from Russian imports but lacks clarity on gas demand reduction strategies. While it mentions key electricity infrastructure projects, cross-border initiatives are overlooked.
Regarding energy poverty, the NECP lacks a clear definition and specific policies. The plan also falls short in setting quantified targets for research and innovation and does not comprehensively address just transition aspects. Furthermore, the NECP lacks quantification of investment needs and funding sources, and some analytical aspects remain outdated or insufficiently explained.
Overall, the updated plan indicates a formal acceptance of EU requirements but does not demonstrate a deeper commitment to or understanding of the changes needed to achieve carbon neutrality.
Citations:
https://commission.europa.eu/system/files/2023-12/SWD_Assessment_draft_updated_NECP_Czechia_2023.pdf
The updated NECP from 2023 shows some progress toward fulfilling international commitments under the Paris Agreement and presents an ostensibly comprehensive strategy. However, the adequacy of the policies has faced criticism both internally and externally. Within the government, this is evidenced by the Pirate Party’s proposal for a law with binding commitments. Externally, the European Commission criticized the plan in December 2023.
The updated plan reaffirms the intention to phase out coal for energy and heat generation by 2033 but lacks a precise timeline for eliminating existing fossil fuel subsidies. It does not analyze relevant vulnerabilities and risks and fails to specify how adaptation policies align with Energy Union objectives and policies. Additionally, the NECP lacks clarity on the scope, timing, and expected impacts of adaptation efforts, including ensuring adequate water resources for cooling nuclear power plants.
The document outlines ambitious renovation plans for buildings but lacks specific quantification of their energy-saving impact. In terms of energy security, the NECP emphasizes diversification away from Russian imports but lacks clarity on gas demand reduction strategies. While it mentions key electricity infrastructure projects, cross-border initiatives are overlooked.
Regarding energy poverty, the NECP lacks a clear definition and specific policies. The plan also falls short in setting quantified targets for research and innovation and does not comprehensively address just transition aspects. Furthermore, the NECP lacks quantification of investment needs and funding sources, and some analytical aspects remain outdated or insufficiently explained.
Overall, the updated plan indicates a formal acceptance of EU requirements but does not demonstrate a deeper commitment to or understanding of the changes needed to achieve carbon neutrality.
Citations:
https://commission.europa.eu/system/files/2023-12/SWD_Assessment_draft_updated_NECP_Czechia_2023.pdf
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How committed is the government to protecting the public from environmental health risks?
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9
9
The government is clearly committed to the goal of protecting environmental health.
8
7
6
7
6
The government is largely committed to the goal of protecting environmental health.
5
4
3
4
3
The government is only somewhat committed to the goal of protecting environmental health.
2
1
1
The government is not at all committed to the goal of protecting environmental health.
International comparisons show Czechia performing worse than the OECD and EU averages in terms of fine air particulate exposure and household exposure to solid fuels. These factors position Czechia near the bottom of the table, much worse than the best-performing countries or even the average. Additionally, a higher proportion of individuals suffer from the effects of unsafe drinking water.
Air pollution has been a long-standing problem in Czechia, reflecting the country’s industrial structure and reliance on heavily polluting fuel sources. Air quality is rigorously monitored through a network of stations. If concentrations exceed set thresholds for a 24-hour period, a smog situation can be declared. When this occurs, citizens are advised to take appropriate precautions based on their health status, and municipalities can impose transport restrictions. In 2023, one smog situation was declared for ozone pollution, and three were declared for particulate pollution.
Since 2004, national plans to reduce air pollution have been in place, aligning with EU legislation in recent years and periodically updated, most recently in December 2023. The report accompanying that update shows improvements across pollution indicators and that almost all targets are being met. The updated program includes commitments up to 2030, which are less demanding than the accompanying forecasts. An extensive number of specific measures are included as part of a broader State Environmental Policy. Pollution reductions will predominantly come from measures such as reducing energy use in heating, using renewable energy sources, and reducing carbon in transport. Indeed, changes in the economic structure have been the main source of reduced pollution.
Environmental policy addressing specific pollutants employs a diverse array of instruments, including direct subsidies, voluntary methods, and various monitoring techniques. These were implemented across six priorities, 14 supporting areas, and six combined areas.
An assessment updated in 2023 showed a meticulous approach to evaluation. However, several targets were not met, raising questions about the adequacy of the monitoring procedures. For instance, an initiative under the Ministry of Agriculture aimed to increase the rearing of beef cattle on pastures, supported by specific subsidies to reduce ammonia emissions, was to be accomplished by 2020. At least six agencies were involved in this initiative.
The Czech Statistical Office could provide data on the number of months pastures were used, but not the number of cattle utilizing them. They anticipated that this information would not be available until 2026. Data from the ministry was only sufficient to estimate the area of pasture used, falling short of indicating the required improvement. Consequently, a reduction in ammonia emissions could not be demonstrated, marking the program as a failure.
Citations:
https://www.mzp.cz/C125750E003B698B/en/state_environmental_policy/$FILE/OPZPUR-State_Environmental_Policy_of_the_Czech_Republic_2030_with_a_view_to_2050-20220524.pdf
https://www.mzp.cz/C1257458002F0DC7/cz/strategicke_dokumenty/$FILE/OOO-Aktualizace_NPSE_2023-20240118.pdf
Air pollution has been a long-standing problem in Czechia, reflecting the country’s industrial structure and reliance on heavily polluting fuel sources. Air quality is rigorously monitored through a network of stations. If concentrations exceed set thresholds for a 24-hour period, a smog situation can be declared. When this occurs, citizens are advised to take appropriate precautions based on their health status, and municipalities can impose transport restrictions. In 2023, one smog situation was declared for ozone pollution, and three were declared for particulate pollution.
Since 2004, national plans to reduce air pollution have been in place, aligning with EU legislation in recent years and periodically updated, most recently in December 2023. The report accompanying that update shows improvements across pollution indicators and that almost all targets are being met. The updated program includes commitments up to 2030, which are less demanding than the accompanying forecasts. An extensive number of specific measures are included as part of a broader State Environmental Policy. Pollution reductions will predominantly come from measures such as reducing energy use in heating, using renewable energy sources, and reducing carbon in transport. Indeed, changes in the economic structure have been the main source of reduced pollution.
Environmental policy addressing specific pollutants employs a diverse array of instruments, including direct subsidies, voluntary methods, and various monitoring techniques. These were implemented across six priorities, 14 supporting areas, and six combined areas.
An assessment updated in 2023 showed a meticulous approach to evaluation. However, several targets were not met, raising questions about the adequacy of the monitoring procedures. For instance, an initiative under the Ministry of Agriculture aimed to increase the rearing of beef cattle on pastures, supported by specific subsidies to reduce ammonia emissions, was to be accomplished by 2020. At least six agencies were involved in this initiative.
The Czech Statistical Office could provide data on the number of months pastures were used, but not the number of cattle utilizing them. They anticipated that this information would not be available until 2026. Data from the ministry was only sufficient to estimate the area of pasture used, falling short of indicating the required improvement. Consequently, a reduction in ammonia emissions could not be demonstrated, marking the program as a failure.
Citations:
https://www.mzp.cz/C125750E003B698B/en/state_environmental_policy/$FILE/OPZPUR-State_Environmental_Policy_of_the_Czech_Republic_2030_with_a_view_to_2050-20220524.pdf
https://www.mzp.cz/C1257458002F0DC7/cz/strategicke_dokumenty/$FILE/OOO-Aktualizace_NPSE_2023-20240118.pdf
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How committed is the government to preserving ecosystems and protecting biodiversity?
10
9
9
The government is clearly committed to protecting ecosystems and biodiversity.
8
7
6
7
6
The government is largely committed to protecting ecosystems and biodiversity.
5
4
3
4
3
The government is only somewhat committed to protecting ecosystems and biodiversity.
2
1
1
The government is not at all committed to protecting ecosystems and biodiversity.
The Ministry for the Environment produced Czechia’s first biodiversity strategy in 2005, shortly after the country’s accession to the European Union. This strategy included objectives and indicators for monitoring results but did not allocate specific tasks. An updated strategy for 2016–2025, published in 2016, lamented the low public awareness of biodiversity issues, particularly as the overall situation continued to deteriorate, largely due to agriculture and transport activities. This indicated that the issue could not be addressed by the Ministry of the Environment alone. The Nature Conservation Agency for Czechia (Agentura ochrany přírody a krajiny ČR, AOPK ČR), established in 2015, actively monitors the country’s biodiversity and administers various categories of protected territories, including 24 protected landscape areas under the IUCN category and about 8,000 other types of protected areas under IUCN Ia, III, and IV. These protected areas cover 16% of the country’s area.
Results have been unimpressive. Czechia scores poorly by international standards on indicators for both forest and grassland loss, and high pesticide use in agriculture poses a significant threat to wildlife, especially bird species, which have received the most public attention. While some habitats have shown improvements, overall, these efforts have not aligned with the EU biodiversity strategy for the period 2014–2020. Eighty percent of protected habitats and 70% of listed species were judged to have an “unfavorable-bad” status.
Czechia is now confronted by EU legislation requiring the formulation of a National Plan for the Renewal of Nature by 2026. This plan aims not only to protect but also to renew environments, including agricultural land and methods, with an expansion of protected landscapes to cover 20% of the surface area. This effort should involve participation from multiple ministries and public agencies, alongside NGOs. Although this has not been a major area for EU funding, one project, with a €12.2 million subsidy, will assess the needs of protected areas and develop an effective system for their coordination and management. The outline of a comprehensive policy, based on a full assessment of needs, has yet to be formulated.
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Citations:
https://soilwater.eu/funders/life-ipn2k-revisited-zvany-jedna-priroda/
https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/life/publicWebsite/project/LIFE17-IPE-CZ-000005/integrated-life-project-for-the-natura-2000-network-in-the-czech-republic
Results have been unimpressive. Czechia scores poorly by international standards on indicators for both forest and grassland loss, and high pesticide use in agriculture poses a significant threat to wildlife, especially bird species, which have received the most public attention. While some habitats have shown improvements, overall, these efforts have not aligned with the EU biodiversity strategy for the period 2014–2020. Eighty percent of protected habitats and 70% of listed species were judged to have an “unfavorable-bad” status.
Czechia is now confronted by EU legislation requiring the formulation of a National Plan for the Renewal of Nature by 2026. This plan aims not only to protect but also to renew environments, including agricultural land and methods, with an expansion of protected landscapes to cover 20% of the surface area. This effort should involve participation from multiple ministries and public agencies, alongside NGOs. Although this has not been a major area for EU funding, one project, with a €12.2 million subsidy, will assess the needs of protected areas and develop an effective system for their coordination and management. The outline of a comprehensive policy, based on a full assessment of needs, has yet to be formulated.
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Citations:
https://soilwater.eu/funders/life-ipn2k-revisited-zvany-jedna-priroda/
https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/life/publicWebsite/project/LIFE17-IPE-CZ-000005/integrated-life-project-for-the-natura-2000-network-in-the-czech-republic
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To what extent is the government committed and credible in designing and promoting global environmental protection regimes and policies?
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9
9
Government policy and institutions are fully aligned with efforts to achieve global environmental sustainability.
8
7
6
7
6
Government policy and institutions are largely aligned with efforts to achieve global environmental sustainability.
5
4
3
4
3
Government policy and institutions are somewhat aligned with efforts to achieve global environmental sustainability.
2
1
1
Government policy and institutions are not at all aligned with efforts to achieve global environmental sustainability.
Czechia has traditionally been a reluctant follower rather than a leader in global environmental policy. By international standards, it is a high net greenhouse gas emitter and has been among the worst donors to the Green Climate Fund, established in 2010 to help developing countries with projects to reduce carbon emissions. The Babiš government contributed nothing to the fund, arguing that Czechia was itself not a wealthy country and that it was already working on cutting its carbon emissions.
However, new Prime Minister Petr Fiala attended the COP 27 climate conference in November 2022 and pledged that, starting in 2024, Czechia would donate $1 million annually. Although this is a modest and largely symbolic amount, it marks an improvement. If the promise is kept, Czechia would no longer be one of the few non-contributors among the world’s richer countries.
In other respects, Czechia has continued to uphold its commitments as an EU member. During the 2022 Czech Presidency of the EU, the main priorities were the Fit for 55 climate package, biodiversity protection, the circular economy, and avoiding deforestation. The achievements of the Czech Presidency included the completion of negotiations on all climate components of the Fit for 55 package, the establishment of the Social Climate Fund to help households transition to modern energy, and the implementation of stricter rules for the emission allowances market and the use and recycling of batteries. Additionally, the Czech Republic will receive CZK 95 billion from the EU under the National Renewal Plan for projects aimed at improving physical infrastructure to reduce carbon emissions.
However, new Prime Minister Petr Fiala attended the COP 27 climate conference in November 2022 and pledged that, starting in 2024, Czechia would donate $1 million annually. Although this is a modest and largely symbolic amount, it marks an improvement. If the promise is kept, Czechia would no longer be one of the few non-contributors among the world’s richer countries.
In other respects, Czechia has continued to uphold its commitments as an EU member. During the 2022 Czech Presidency of the EU, the main priorities were the Fit for 55 climate package, biodiversity protection, the circular economy, and avoiding deforestation. The achievements of the Czech Presidency included the completion of negotiations on all climate components of the Fit for 55 package, the establishment of the Social Climate Fund to help households transition to modern energy, and the implementation of stricter rules for the emission allowances market and the use and recycling of batteries. Additionally, the Czech Republic will receive CZK 95 billion from the EU under the National Renewal Plan for projects aimed at improving physical infrastructure to reduce carbon emissions.