Minister Kumer and Commissioner Hoekstra discuss key green transition challenges

SLOVENIA, March 12 - Minister Kumer presented the key highlights of Slovenia's climate and energy policy to the Commissioner and underlined that climate policy is one of the priorities of the Slovenian Government, which is aware of both the country's vulnerability to climate change and the opportunities that decarbonisation brings to the economy and jobs. Slovenia has undertaken an ambitious upgrade of the National Energy and Climate Plan (NEPN), which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 55 percent by 2033 at the latest. The results of the Government's efforts are already visible: in 2023, greenhouse gas emissions decreased by 6.5 percent and last year Slovenia met its target for the share of renewable energy sources for the first time. This has resulted in reduced dependence on fuel imports and thus greater resilience of the economy and society. However, major challenges remain, particularly in the area of decarbonisation of transport and energy-intensive industry, where targeted measures will need to be strengthened and stable financial and regulatory frameworks ensured.

The Slovenian Minister emphasised that competitiveness and decarbonisation are not contradictory objectives, but rather complementary - successful decarbonisation and related innovations must become the driving force behind the competitiveness of the European economy. Therefore, Slovenia calls for early submission and adoption of a European Climate Law, which must enact the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 2040 and thus contribute to a more predictable business environment. A balanced distribution of European funds for decarbonisation and taking account of national specificities, including economic characteristics, the country's transitional location and its dispersed settlement pattern and large forest coverage continue to be of key importance.

During his visit, Commissioner Hoekstra stressed that "It is great to be here in Slovenia today and to meet with Minister Kumer. Since the beginning of my term, I have often reflected on the devastating floods that hit the country in 2023. Slovenia is doing an excellent job in the area of climate policies, setting ambitious goals and making good use of the European Modernisation Fund. I am also pleased that Slovenia is drawing funds from the EU Innovation Fund for the project that I will visit in Hrastnik today. Our recently presented Clean Industry Agreement for Competitiveness and Decarbonisation in the European Union favours reindustrialisation, which can also promote Slovenia's growth and sustainable development."

After the meeting, Minister Kumer pointed out: "This government's commitment to climate goals is demonstrated by tangible results. When meeting with Commissioner Hoekstra I stressed that a key task for this Commission should be to ensure the conditions under which decarbonisation and related innovation will boost the competitiveness of the European economy. I also expressed my support for a more equitable and more balanced division of EU funds for decarbonisation and highlighted some of the specificities of our country that the new European climate legislation will have to take into account – the characteristics of our economy, our country's transitional location and dispersed settlement, as well as its extensive forest cover."

Minister Kumer and Commissioner Hoekstra will also visit Steklarna Hrastnik glassworks whose innovative project entitled them to receive funding from the Innovation Fund. In collaboration with the National Institute of Chemistry, they developed a hybrid regenerative glass furnace, which significantly contributes to greater energy efficiency and emissions reductionin the glass industry. With this project, Steklarna Hrastnik became the first Slovenian company to succeed in obtaining funding under the Innovation Fund's second call for tenders for small projects, which is a proof that Slovenia has innovative companies capable of successfully competing in EU calls for tenders and contributing to the decarbonisation of EU industry.

Slovenia remains committed to active participation in EU-wide discussions on green transition and will continue advocating an effective and equitable climate policy at the EU level.