Slovakia: environment

How warm was 2025 in Slovakia?

The average air temperature in Slovakia in 2025 was 9.5 °C, making it the 8th warmest year since 1931 and 0.9 °C above the 1991-2020 normal, according to the Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute (SHMÚ). The warmest year on record was 2024, at 10.8 °C.

Four months were colder than normal: February, May, October and November. January and December were the most above normal, by 3.1 °C and 3.0 °C. The highest temperature, 38.7 °C, was measured at Slovenský Grob on 3 July 2025. SHMÚ says a long dry spell from the autumn of 2024 to early July 2025 led to severe drought, followed by heavy rain from July to November.

Official sources: SHMÚ: Climatological assessment of 2025

What are Slovakia's greenhouse gas emissions?

Slovakia emitted 33.9 million tonnes of greenhouse gases (CO2 equivalent) in 2024, excluding land use and forestry, according to Eurostat's greenhouse gas inventory data. Emissions were 36.7 million tonnes in 2023, 37.2 million in 2022 and 41.4 million in 2021.

The figures come from the national inventory that Slovakia reports to the EU and the UN climate convention. They cover all greenhouse gases, weighted by their warming effect, and exclude emissions and removals from land use and forests.

Official sources: Eurostat: Greenhouse gas emissions by source sector (env_air_gge)

How much of Slovakia's energy is renewable?

Renewable sources supplied 16.3% of Slovakia's gross final energy consumption in 2025, according to Eurostat's renewable energy share data, down from 18.1% in 2024. In electricity, renewables accounted for 24.1% in 2025, compared with 24.9% in 2024.

The share of renewables depends on weather as well as capacity, so it can fall in a dry or still year. The overall figure covers electricity, heating and cooling and transport. Nuclear power is not renewable and is not counted; the 2027 budget includes EUR 100 million for the national nuclear programme, according to the Ministry of Finance.

Official sources: Eurostat: Share of renewable energy (nrg_ind_ren)

What are Slovakia's CO2 emissions per person?

The European Commission's EDGAR database puts carbon dioxide emissions per person in Slovakia at 5.5 tonnes in 2024. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. Europe & Central Asia median: 5.1 tonnes; Slovakia is 19th highest of 46. Worldwide: 43rd of 186.

How much greenhouse gas does Slovakia emit?

The European Commission's EDGAR database puts total greenhouse gas emissions in Slovakia at 39.0 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2024. That is the lowest since at least 2005. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 53.5 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent, and Slovakia placed 29th highest of 46. Of 186 countries with 2024 data, 93rd highest.

How much renewable energy does Slovakia use?

17.9%: that is the renewable share of final energy use in Slovakia for 2021, according to the IEA, IRENA, the UN Statistics Division, the World Bank and the WHO. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 20.4%, and Slovakia placed 30th highest of 50. Of 191 countries with 2021 data, 114th highest.

What is Slovakia's forest cover?

The latest figure from the FAO, for 2024, is 40.3%. No year since 2005 has been higher. Europe & Central Asia median: 33.2%; Slovakia is 13th highest of 51. World rank, highest first: 70th of 190.

What is air pollution like in Slovakia?

In 2023, average exposure to fine particle air pollution (PM2.5) in Slovakia was 13.7 micrograms per cubic metre, according to the Global Burden of Disease study. That is the lowest since at least 2005. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 13.0 micrograms per cubic metre, and Slovakia placed 24th highest of 51. Worldwide: 129th of 192.

What share of Slovakia is protected land?

The latest figure from the UN Environment Programme, for 2025, is 37.5%. Its high point since 2013 was 2018, at 37.6%; its low point was 2013, at 35.9%. It is 10th highest of 51 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 22.1%. World rank, highest first: 19th of 192.

Is Slovakia short of water?

2.4%: that is water stress in Slovakia for 2022, according to the FAO. Its high point since 2005 was 2005, at 3.9%; its low point was 2020, at 2.4%. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 12.6%, and Slovakia placed 41st highest of 47. World rank, highest first: 141st of 175.