Environmental Sustainability
#23Key Findings
Slovakia performs relatively poorly (rank 23) in the area of environmental sustainability.
Total fossil fuel consumption is decreasing due to improved energy efficiency and increased use of biomass. Transport emissions have risen significantly since 1990, creating a major challenge for achieving climate neutrality. The country will receive tens of billions of euros for decarbonization projects in coming years.
A long-term environmental strategy is in place, with general goals and defined indicators. However, implementation and monitoring have been slow. Air pollution is a concern. A significant share of the population is not connected to the public sewer system.
The environmental strategy aims to increase biodiversity protections. Zoning plans for national parks have been particularly controversial. The country actively participates in international environmental agreements, with a particular focus on the Danube and Carpathian regions.
Total fossil fuel consumption is decreasing due to improved energy efficiency and increased use of biomass. Transport emissions have risen significantly since 1990, creating a major challenge for achieving climate neutrality. The country will receive tens of billions of euros for decarbonization projects in coming years.
A long-term environmental strategy is in place, with general goals and defined indicators. However, implementation and monitoring have been slow. Air pollution is a concern. A significant share of the population is not connected to the public sewer system.
The environmental strategy aims to increase biodiversity protections. Zoning plans for national parks have been particularly controversial. The country actively participates in international environmental agreements, with a particular focus on the Danube and Carpathian regions.
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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.
The Ministry of Environment of Slovakia, in close cooperation with other departments, will be responsible for managing, coordinating, and updating the Low-Carbon Development Strategy of the Slovak Republic until 2030 with a Low-Carbon Development Strategy of the Slovak Republic by 2030, with a view to 2050 iew to 2050 (referred to as NuS, 2020) every five years.
The Strategy (NuS, 2020) is broken down into sector-specific action plans, including energy, industrial processes, transport, agriculture, land use and land-use change, forestry, and waste management. For example, in 2016, the energy sector was the main contributor to total greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for 67.04% and 27,543.77 Gg CO2 equivalent. Total fossil fuel consumption is decreasing due to higher energy efficiency, with biomass consumption in 2015 being 3.6 times higher than in 1990.
The primary sources of greenhouse gas emissions are metal production (52%), the mineral industry (23%), the chemical industry (16%), and substitutes for ozone-depleting substances (7%). Nitric acid production is the most significant source of N2O emissions.
The level of transit traffic has increased. Total aggregate GHG emissions in the transport sector increased by 12% in 2017 compared to the 1990 base year, while road transport emissions increased by 58% compared to the base year. The long-term trend in this sector is rising emissions, representing a substantial risk to achieving climate neutrality.
In agriculture, the primary source of N2O emissions is agricultural soil, accounting for 90%, followed by manure processing, which contributes 10% of total N2O emissions. Enhancements in agricultural practices, crop production regeneration, and the use of mineral fertilizers have led to a slight increase in emissions in recent years.
Overall CO2 removals in the land-use sector are expected to range from –6,642.32 (2017) to –4,206.56 (2035) Gg CO2. Projections for 2017–2035 show a decreasing trend in CO2 removals, mainly due to reductions in forest land, cropland, and grassland removals, and increased emissions from settlements and other land categories (NuS, 2020).
The Waste Management Program of the Slovak Republic for 2016–2020 revealed that most original targets were not achieved. Emission projections in the waste sector, according to WEM and WAM scenarios until 2040, are decreasing and depend on meeting practical targets (NuS, 2020).
Internal estimates by the Ministry of Finance, in cooperation with the Permanent Representation of the Slovak Republic to the EU, suggest that between 2027 and 2050, Slovakia will have €42 billion to €45 billion available for climate change measures from the EU budget alone (excluding other national and European funds). It remains questionable whether the government and public authorities are prepared to utilize such significant financial resources intended for decarbonization projects aligned with achieving climate neutrality by 2050 (NuS, 2020: 93).
The Strategy (NuS, 2020) proposes additional measures, titled NEUTRAL, aimed at moving closer to achieving climate neutrality. The impact of these NEUTRAL measures has not yet been modeled in the strategy. Addressing this modeling will be necessary for future updates, with an updated version set to be adopted no later than 2025, including an assessment of socioeconomic impacts, such as decreases in real income.
Energy efficiency action plans served as the primary tools for implementing energy efficiency measures until 2020. These plans evaluated existing measures and established new ones to achieve energy savings goals. After 2020, responsibility shifted to the integrated National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP) and biennial progress reports in the energy sector (Dokupilová et al., 2022: 47).
Slovakia has a structured mechanism for managing, planning, monitoring, and evaluating energy efficiency, based on European and national strategic documents and legislative requirements. However, the independent Climate Council was not established because the Climate Law was not passed in 2023. The Ministry of Economy serves as the general coordinator of the energy efficiency agenda, focusing primarily on energy savings across all sectors of the national economy. An interdepartmental working group, including all relevant central state administration bodies, was formed for this purpose.
The Ministry of Economy evaluates applications for issuing certificates for constructing energy facilities to ensure compliance with the NECP. This assessment can only be conducted based on applications that meet all prescribed requirements according to the Act on Energy. The Ministry of the Interior determines whether the request aligns with the priorities of the energy policy and NECP (INEKP, 2019).
Citations:
NuS. 2020. “Low-Carbon Development Strategy of the Slovak Republic until 2030 with a View to 2050.” The Ministry of the Environment of the Slovak Republic. https://www.minzp.sk/klima/nizkouhlikova-strategia/
Dokupilová, D., Repíková, M., and Korytárová, K. 2022. “Uhlíkovo neutrálne Slovensko do roku.”
2050. “Finálna správa z projektu podporeného Európskou klimatickou nadáciou (ECF).” https://www.prog.sav.sk/wp-content/uploads/SAV_Uhlikovo-neutralne-Slovensko-do-roku-2050.pdf
INEKP. 2019. “Integrovaný národný energetický a klimatický plán na roky 2021 – 2030.” https://www.mhsr.sk/uploads/files/zsrwR58V.pdf
The Strategy (NuS, 2020) is broken down into sector-specific action plans, including energy, industrial processes, transport, agriculture, land use and land-use change, forestry, and waste management. For example, in 2016, the energy sector was the main contributor to total greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for 67.04% and 27,543.77 Gg CO2 equivalent. Total fossil fuel consumption is decreasing due to higher energy efficiency, with biomass consumption in 2015 being 3.6 times higher than in 1990.
The primary sources of greenhouse gas emissions are metal production (52%), the mineral industry (23%), the chemical industry (16%), and substitutes for ozone-depleting substances (7%). Nitric acid production is the most significant source of N2O emissions.
The level of transit traffic has increased. Total aggregate GHG emissions in the transport sector increased by 12% in 2017 compared to the 1990 base year, while road transport emissions increased by 58% compared to the base year. The long-term trend in this sector is rising emissions, representing a substantial risk to achieving climate neutrality.
In agriculture, the primary source of N2O emissions is agricultural soil, accounting for 90%, followed by manure processing, which contributes 10% of total N2O emissions. Enhancements in agricultural practices, crop production regeneration, and the use of mineral fertilizers have led to a slight increase in emissions in recent years.
Overall CO2 removals in the land-use sector are expected to range from –6,642.32 (2017) to –4,206.56 (2035) Gg CO2. Projections for 2017–2035 show a decreasing trend in CO2 removals, mainly due to reductions in forest land, cropland, and grassland removals, and increased emissions from settlements and other land categories (NuS, 2020).
The Waste Management Program of the Slovak Republic for 2016–2020 revealed that most original targets were not achieved. Emission projections in the waste sector, according to WEM and WAM scenarios until 2040, are decreasing and depend on meeting practical targets (NuS, 2020).
Internal estimates by the Ministry of Finance, in cooperation with the Permanent Representation of the Slovak Republic to the EU, suggest that between 2027 and 2050, Slovakia will have €42 billion to €45 billion available for climate change measures from the EU budget alone (excluding other national and European funds). It remains questionable whether the government and public authorities are prepared to utilize such significant financial resources intended for decarbonization projects aligned with achieving climate neutrality by 2050 (NuS, 2020: 93).
The Strategy (NuS, 2020) proposes additional measures, titled NEUTRAL, aimed at moving closer to achieving climate neutrality. The impact of these NEUTRAL measures has not yet been modeled in the strategy. Addressing this modeling will be necessary for future updates, with an updated version set to be adopted no later than 2025, including an assessment of socioeconomic impacts, such as decreases in real income.
Energy efficiency action plans served as the primary tools for implementing energy efficiency measures until 2020. These plans evaluated existing measures and established new ones to achieve energy savings goals. After 2020, responsibility shifted to the integrated National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP) and biennial progress reports in the energy sector (Dokupilová et al., 2022: 47).
Slovakia has a structured mechanism for managing, planning, monitoring, and evaluating energy efficiency, based on European and national strategic documents and legislative requirements. However, the independent Climate Council was not established because the Climate Law was not passed in 2023. The Ministry of Economy serves as the general coordinator of the energy efficiency agenda, focusing primarily on energy savings across all sectors of the national economy. An interdepartmental working group, including all relevant central state administration bodies, was formed for this purpose.
The Ministry of Economy evaluates applications for issuing certificates for constructing energy facilities to ensure compliance with the NECP. This assessment can only be conducted based on applications that meet all prescribed requirements according to the Act on Energy. The Ministry of the Interior determines whether the request aligns with the priorities of the energy policy and NECP (INEKP, 2019).
Citations:
NuS. 2020. “Low-Carbon Development Strategy of the Slovak Republic until 2030 with a View to 2050.” The Ministry of the Environment of the Slovak Republic. https://www.minzp.sk/klima/nizkouhlikova-strategia/
Dokupilová, D., Repíková, M., and Korytárová, K. 2022. “Uhlíkovo neutrálne Slovensko do roku.”
2050. “Finálna správa z projektu podporeného Európskou klimatickou nadáciou (ECF).” https://www.prog.sav.sk/wp-content/uploads/SAV_Uhlikovo-neutralne-Slovensko-do-roku-2050.pdf
INEKP. 2019. “Integrovaný národný energetický a klimatický plán na roky 2021 – 2030.” https://www.mhsr.sk/uploads/files/zsrwR58V.pdf
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How committed is the government to protecting the public from environmental health risks?
10
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.
The Greener Slovakia – Strategy of the Environmental Policy of the Slovak Republic until 2030 paper (Envirostrategy 2019: 60) emphasizes that environmental problems increasingly impact the economy, employment, health, and population comfort. The document outlines general goals and specific ambitions, serving as a strategic guide with defined indicators. However, implementation and monitoring have been slow. For example, it does not consider international statistics on unsafe drinking water, instead comparing Slovakia to V4 countries and the EU average.
By 2030, the municipal waste recycling rate, including preparation for re-use, is targeted to increase to 60%, with the landfill rate reduced to less than 25% by 2035.
In climate change mitigation, Slovakia aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the emissions trading sectors by 43% and outside these sectors by at least 20%, compared to 2005. The country focuses on clean air, water, and soil, as air pollution causes more than 5,000 premature deaths annually in Slovakia.
Municipalities can introduce measures such as low-emission zones and transport restrictions (§ 2, § 9 of the Air Act), and a smog warning system (§ 13 of the Air Act) to warn the population when PM10 particle thresholds are exceeded (NPZE, 2020: 120).
The Slovak Innovation and Energy Agency (SIEA) coordinates efforts aimed at green housing infrastructure, including heating systems (Green Households, 2023). This initiative lacks financial support without time and funding limits, with financial support often reserved within minutes.
Less than two-thirds of the Slovak population is connected to public sewers, despite the public sewer system being in place. Voluntary disconnections and a long-term decline in total water consumption, which may indicate positive environmental trends, could also negatively impact public health and hygiene. Household water consumption has fallen below the World Health Organization’s recommended sanitary minimum in recent years. This decline could be due to increased water prices, improved water-use technologies, or higher use of individual wells not recorded in official statistics. All public water supply networks comply with hygienic limits and currently supply 88% of the population (ASA QM, 2019).
Citations:
NPZE. 2020. “Národný program znižovania emisií – Slovenská republika.” https://www.minzp.sk/ovzdusie/ochrana-ovzdusia/narodne-zavazky-znizovania-emisii/narodny-program-znizovania-emisii/
Envirostrategy 2030. 2019. “Greener Slovakia.” https://www.minzp.sk/iep/strategicke-materialy/envirostrategia-2030.html
ASAQM. 2019. “Advisory Services for Air Quality Management.” https://www.minzp.sk/files/oblasti/ovzdusie/ochrana-ovzdusia/dokumenty/strategia-ochrany-ovzdusia/final-report-2019_05_13.pdf
Green households. 2023. ” https://zelenadomacnostiam.sk/nove-podmienky-zelenej-domacnostiam-siea-zverejni-30-oktobra-2023”
By 2030, the municipal waste recycling rate, including preparation for re-use, is targeted to increase to 60%, with the landfill rate reduced to less than 25% by 2035.
In climate change mitigation, Slovakia aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the emissions trading sectors by 43% and outside these sectors by at least 20%, compared to 2005. The country focuses on clean air, water, and soil, as air pollution causes more than 5,000 premature deaths annually in Slovakia.
Municipalities can introduce measures such as low-emission zones and transport restrictions (§ 2, § 9 of the Air Act), and a smog warning system (§ 13 of the Air Act) to warn the population when PM10 particle thresholds are exceeded (NPZE, 2020: 120).
The Slovak Innovation and Energy Agency (SIEA) coordinates efforts aimed at green housing infrastructure, including heating systems (Green Households, 2023). This initiative lacks financial support without time and funding limits, with financial support often reserved within minutes.
Less than two-thirds of the Slovak population is connected to public sewers, despite the public sewer system being in place. Voluntary disconnections and a long-term decline in total water consumption, which may indicate positive environmental trends, could also negatively impact public health and hygiene. Household water consumption has fallen below the World Health Organization’s recommended sanitary minimum in recent years. This decline could be due to increased water prices, improved water-use technologies, or higher use of individual wells not recorded in official statistics. All public water supply networks comply with hygienic limits and currently supply 88% of the population (ASA QM, 2019).
Citations:
NPZE. 2020. “Národný program znižovania emisií – Slovenská republika.” https://www.minzp.sk/ovzdusie/ochrana-ovzdusia/narodne-zavazky-znizovania-emisii/narodny-program-znizovania-emisii/
Envirostrategy 2030. 2019. “Greener Slovakia.” https://www.minzp.sk/iep/strategicke-materialy/envirostrategia-2030.html
ASAQM. 2019. “Advisory Services for Air Quality Management.” https://www.minzp.sk/files/oblasti/ovzdusie/ochrana-ovzdusia/dokumenty/strategia-ochrany-ovzdusia/final-report-2019_05_13.pdf
Green households. 2023. ” https://zelenadomacnostiam.sk/nove-podmienky-zelenej-domacnostiam-siea-zverejni-30-oktobra-2023”
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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.
Within the Slovak Envirostrategy 2030, biodiversity protection will be enhanced, and measures will be implemented to prevent the degradation of species and habitats (Envirostrategy, 2019: 60). Protected areas and degrees of protection will be reviewed and simplified by 2024 (Greener Slovakia, 2020: 46).
The Slovak government has prepared the Concept of Nature Protection until 2030, which includes measurable indicators. The main goals of this concept are:
Improving efficiency in the protection and management of protected areas,
Preventing the deterioration of species and habitats, and restoring at least 15% of degraded ecosystems by 2030,
Creating legal, institutional, and management conditions for landscape protection, ensuring stability and connectivity in the landscape, resilience of the natural environment to climate change, and the sustainable use of natural resources,
Enhancing the effectiveness of nature and landscape protection by supporting research, education, communication, and data systems in the fields of nature protection, biodiversity, and landscape. This includes ensuring support for the active involvement of relevant groups in the protection and management of protected areas.
The financial aspect of this plan involves a mix of EU funds, the Slovak budget, and stakeholder participation. Partial goals are planned for fulfillment by 2025 or 2030 (CNP, 2019). However, following the change of government, the concept (CNP, 2019) has been politicized, particularly the national park reform prepared by the previous OĽaNO-led coalition aimed at sustainable tourism development.
Zoning plans for national parks are particularly contentious. For example, Environment Minister Tomáš Taraba (SNS) criticized the zoning plans, stating that they deprived national parks of income, leading to an annual loss of €24 million (Pravda, 2023). He also rejected the plan to create Podunajsko National Park in southwest Slovakia near Bratislava and along the Danube River, arguing that it took over the most fertile agricultural land.
Citations:
Envirostrategy 2030. 2019. Greener Slovakia. https://www.minzp.sk/iep/strategicke-materialy/envirostrategia-2030.html
Greener Slovakia. 2020. “Ministry of Environment of the Slovak Republic.” https://www.minzp.sk/files/iep/publikacia_zelensie-slovensko-aj_web.pdf
CNP. 2019. “Koncepcia ochrany prírody a krajiny do roku 2030.”Ministry of the Environment of the Slovak Republic and State Nature Protection of the Slovak Republic. www.Slov-lex.sk
Pravda. 2023. “Taraba: Od eurokomisára máme zelenú na reguláciu medveďov.” https://spravy.pravda.sk/domace/clanok/693364-taraba-od-eurokomisara-mame-zelenu-na-regulaciu-medvedov/
The Slovak government has prepared the Concept of Nature Protection until 2030, which includes measurable indicators. The main goals of this concept are:
Improving efficiency in the protection and management of protected areas,
Preventing the deterioration of species and habitats, and restoring at least 15% of degraded ecosystems by 2030,
Creating legal, institutional, and management conditions for landscape protection, ensuring stability and connectivity in the landscape, resilience of the natural environment to climate change, and the sustainable use of natural resources,
Enhancing the effectiveness of nature and landscape protection by supporting research, education, communication, and data systems in the fields of nature protection, biodiversity, and landscape. This includes ensuring support for the active involvement of relevant groups in the protection and management of protected areas.
The financial aspect of this plan involves a mix of EU funds, the Slovak budget, and stakeholder participation. Partial goals are planned for fulfillment by 2025 or 2030 (CNP, 2019). However, following the change of government, the concept (CNP, 2019) has been politicized, particularly the national park reform prepared by the previous OĽaNO-led coalition aimed at sustainable tourism development.
Zoning plans for national parks are particularly contentious. For example, Environment Minister Tomáš Taraba (SNS) criticized the zoning plans, stating that they deprived national parks of income, leading to an annual loss of €24 million (Pravda, 2023). He also rejected the plan to create Podunajsko National Park in southwest Slovakia near Bratislava and along the Danube River, arguing that it took over the most fertile agricultural land.
Citations:
Envirostrategy 2030. 2019. Greener Slovakia. https://www.minzp.sk/iep/strategicke-materialy/envirostrategia-2030.html
Greener Slovakia. 2020. “Ministry of Environment of the Slovak Republic.” https://www.minzp.sk/files/iep/publikacia_zelensie-slovensko-aj_web.pdf
CNP. 2019. “Koncepcia ochrany prírody a krajiny do roku 2030.”Ministry of the Environment of the Slovak Republic and State Nature Protection of the Slovak Republic. www.Slov-lex.sk
Pravda. 2023. “Taraba: Od eurokomisára máme zelenú na reguláciu medveďov.” https://spravy.pravda.sk/domace/clanok/693364-taraba-od-eurokomisara-mame-zelenu-na-regulaciu-medvedov/
Graph View
To what extent is the government committed and credible in designing and promoting global environmental protection regimes and policies?
10
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.
Slovakia generally joins the majority of multilateral international agreements. In 2018, Slovakia voluntarily participated in the UN’s High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, resulting in a new strategy for environmental policy (Greener Slovakia, 2019). This document sets measurable goals to be met by 2030.
The Low-Carbon Development Strategy of the Slovak Republic until 2030 with a View to 2050 (NUS), was approved by the government on March 5, 2020. The NUS represents Slovakia’s response to its obligations in the fight against climate change due to its membership in the European Union (EU) and the United Nations (UN). This strategy aims to identify existing measures and propose new ones within Slovakia to achieve climate neutrality by 2050.
The plan also includes national reduction targets until 2030 based on European targets, although some of these are set at lower levels. These goals are detailed in Slovakia’s Integrated National Energy Plan until 2030 (NECP). For Slovakia, it is clear that unless additional measures are taken beyond those used in the WEM and WAM models and scenarios, the country will have to address an emissions gap projected to be 7–14 Mt CO2eq. The monitoring period for this plan is every five years (NUS, 2020: 93).
Slovakia participates in various regional international initiatives, such as the Danube Strategy and the Carpathian Convention, and collaborates with Danube River countries to develop flood management plans.
Citations:
NuS. 2020. “Low-Carbon Development Strategy of the Slovak Republic until 2030 with a View to 2050.”The Ministry of the Environment of the Slovak Republic. https://www.minzp.sk/klima/nizkouhlikova-strategia/
The Low-Carbon Development Strategy of the Slovak Republic until 2030 with a View to 2050 (NUS), was approved by the government on March 5, 2020. The NUS represents Slovakia’s response to its obligations in the fight against climate change due to its membership in the European Union (EU) and the United Nations (UN). This strategy aims to identify existing measures and propose new ones within Slovakia to achieve climate neutrality by 2050.
The plan also includes national reduction targets until 2030 based on European targets, although some of these are set at lower levels. These goals are detailed in Slovakia’s Integrated National Energy Plan until 2030 (NECP). For Slovakia, it is clear that unless additional measures are taken beyond those used in the WEM and WAM models and scenarios, the country will have to address an emissions gap projected to be 7–14 Mt CO2eq. The monitoring period for this plan is every five years (NUS, 2020: 93).
Slovakia participates in various regional international initiatives, such as the Danube Strategy and the Carpathian Convention, and collaborates with Danube River countries to develop flood management plans.
Citations:
NuS. 2020. “Low-Carbon Development Strategy of the Slovak Republic until 2030 with a View to 2050.”The Ministry of the Environment of the Slovak Republic. https://www.minzp.sk/klima/nizkouhlikova-strategia/