Slovenia: environment

What are Slovenia's CO2 emissions?

12.3 million tonnes of carbon dioxide were emitted in Slovenia in 2024, 5.3% more than in 2023, according to the air emissions accounts of the Statistical Office (SURS).

Economic activities produced 72.9% and households 27.1%. Electricity, gas and steam supply was the largest single source, with 3.7 million tonnes (30.0%), and its emissions rose 9.7%, while manufacturing emissions fell 1.4%. Emissions of PM10 particles fell 14.7% to 13,000 tonnes, more than half of them from households.

Official sources: SURS: Air emissions accounts, 2024

Where does Slovenia get its energy?

Nuclear energy made up almost 49% of Slovenia's domestic energy production in 2025, renewable sources including hydro just over 36% and coal 15%, according to the Statistical Office (SURS). Domestic production was over 131,000 terajoules, 6% less than in 2024.

Domestic sources met 48% of energy demand, and the rest was imported; energy dependence rose 7 percentage points. In total energy supply, petroleum products had the largest share (35%), followed by nuclear (25%), renewables (20%), natural gas (13%) and coal (7%). Transport again used the most final energy.

Official sources: SURS: Energy statistics, 2025

How much waste does Slovenia recycle?

Slovenia generated a little under 10.5 million tonnes of waste in 2025, 2% more than in 2024, according to the Statistical Office (SURS). 18% more waste was recycled and almost a fifth less was landfilled.

Construction and demolition waste made up 73% of the total, or 7.7 million tonnes, up 5%. Municipal waste fell 3%. Hazardous waste fell almost 1% to 132,000 tonnes.

Official sources: SURS: Waste, 2025

How much water does Slovenia use?

175 million cubic metres of water were abstracted for public supply in Slovenia in 2025, 3.6% more than in 2024, according to the Statistical Office (SURS). Almost all of it, 172 million cubic metres, came from groundwater.

Households used 82.5 million cubic metres, 6.6% more, and businesses 37.5 million, 6.5% less. 49 million cubic metres were lost in the network, 5% more than the year before. Water quality, rivers and groundwater are monitored by the Slovenian Environment Agency.

Official sources: SURS: Public water supply, 2025 · Slovenian Environment Agency

What is the air quality like in Slovenia?

People in Slovenia were exposed to an average of 12.56 micrograms of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) per cubic metre of air in 2023, according to the World Bank, down from 13.65 in 2022.

The figure is a modelled population-weighted annual average, so it does not show differences between places or days. More than half of PM10 emissions in 2024 came from households, according to the Statistical Office's air emissions accounts. Daily measurements from monitoring stations are published by the Slovenian Environment Agency.

Official sources: World Bank: PM2.5 mean annual exposure, Slovenia · SURS: Air emissions accounts, 2024 · Slovenian Environment Agency

What is Slovenia's carbon footprint per person?

The European Commission's EDGAR database puts carbon dioxide emissions per person in Slovenia at 6.3 tonnes in 2024. Its high point since 2005 was 2008, at 9.3 tonnes; its low point was 2023, at 6.0 tonnes. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 5.1 tonnes, and Slovenia placed 15th highest of 46. Of 186 countries with 2024 data, 37th highest.

How much greenhouse gas does Slovenia emit?

17.3 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent: that is total greenhouse gas emissions in Slovenia for 2024, according to the European Commission's EDGAR database. The peak was 24.1 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2008 and the low 16.7 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2023. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 53.5 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent, and Slovenia placed 37th highest of 46. Of 186 countries with 2024 data, 125th highest.

What share of Slovenia's energy comes from renewables?

23.4%: that is the renewable share of final energy use in Slovenia for 2021, according to the IEA, IRENA, the UN Statistics Division, the World Bank and the WHO. No year since 2005 has been higher. It is 22nd highest of 50 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 20.4%. World rank, highest first: 98th of 191.

What share of Slovenia is covered by forest?

The latest figure from the FAO, for 2024, is 61.8%. The peak was 62.0% in 2015 and the low 61.6% in 2005. It is 3rd highest of 51 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 33.2%. World rank, highest first: 25th of 190.

What is PM2.5 air pollution in Slovenia?

According to the Global Burden of Disease study, average exposure to fine particle air pollution (PM2.5) in Slovenia was 12.6 micrograms per cubic metre in 2023. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 13.0 micrograms per cubic metre, and Slovenia placed 29th highest of 51. Worldwide: 137th of 192.

How much of Slovenia is in national parks and reserves?

According to the UN Environment Programme, the share of land in protected areas in Slovenia was 40.4% in 2025. No year since 2013 has been lower. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 22.1%, and Slovenia placed 3rd highest of 51. Worldwide: 8th of 192.

What is water stress in Slovenia?

According to the FAO, water stress in Slovenia was 5.6% in 2022. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. It is 34th highest of 47 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 12.6%. Of 175 countries with 2022 data, 117th highest.