
The Fourth President’s Forum has held up a mirror to reveal where Slovenia stands, and where it falls short on its path to a carbon-free society
The President of the Republic of Slovenia, Nataša Pirc Musar, hosted a group of experts on climate change and biodiversity for the Fourth President’s Forum at Brdo pri Kranju, this time focusing on the “the right to a healthy living environment”. Preserving the environment and combating climate change are among the key priorities of the President's term of office. The President's Forums, which will be held throughout her term of office, will address issues of strategic importance for the future of Slovenia and its people.
Brdo pri Kranju, 30 Sept 2024
News
This Forum thus highlighted one of key issues facing society – climate change and biodiversity conservation. The discussion among top researchers from various scientific disciplines and experts took place in three key contexts: the implementation of international commitments in the Republic of Slovenia, the constitutionally guaranteed right to a healthy living environment, and the Social Contract 2050.
As the President pointed out in her opening remarks, the last two years have reinforced her conviction that climate change requires immediate agreements and action in the most inclusive way possible.
For a long time, she said, international discussions on climate change and human rights had been conducted separately. Slovenia was one of the first countries to draw attention to the urgent need to link the two areas, because it is human rights that provide the legal framework within which we must address the climate crisis in a way that is fair for all. “I am proud that Slovenia, together with like-minded countries, has proposed a new human right – the right to a healthy and clean environment.” In 2022, the United Nations General Assembly endorsed this right without opposition.
“Today’s Forum has held up a mirror to reveal where Slovenia stands and where it falls short on its path to a carbon-free society. We heard about good practices that have delivered concrete results, such as decarbonising buildings, and are making a significant contribution to reducing energy poverty. Community-based solar power stations also seem to be an excellent and very appropriate way of generating energy in Slovenia. However, in some areas, such as transport, where we produce the most emissions, there is still a lot to be done to make mobility more sustainable,” said President Pirc Musar.

"Preserving the environment and combating climate change are among the key priorities of my term of office. The last two years have reinforced my conviction that we need to agree and act NOW! And do so in an inclusive way. In my contacts with people, especially young people, I have noticed the growing concern, interest and engagement of the general public in nature conservation. People want to live in a healthy environment. Nature is an important value for us. I sense and welcome the commitment of many to managing our rich natural resources wisely, ensuring that future generations are not deprived of them."
We must not only mitigate climate change but also adapt to it in the greenest and most sustainable way. The President of the Republic invited all Forum participants to submit their own proposals that could contribute to the idea of “living with less and better”. “Slovenia must continue to actively and progressively advocate within the international community for the realisation and practical implementation of the right to a healthy environment, both globally and domestically,” the President added.
On the basis of today's President's Forum, general recommendations will be drawn up and published to assist the relevant expert departments and institutions in addressing the identified shortcomings. The discussion highlighted, among other things, the need for cross-sectoral and sustainability-oriented adaptation measures, the introduction of circular economy and the adoption of business models that enhance producer responsibility. The expert discussion also underlined the need for green public finance reform, increased funding for climate action, and structural support from the state to local communities in implementing climate action. The need to introduce systemic improvements in land use planning was also highlighted.
The Forum was attended by Mateja Čalušić, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Food of the Republic of Slovenia, Jože Novak, Minister of Natural Resources and Spatial Planning of the Republic Of Slovenia, Uroš Vajgl, State Secretary at the Ministry of the Environment, Climate and Energy of the Republic of Slovenia, Mag Mojca Dolinar (Meteorology, Hydrology and Oceanography Office, Slovenian Environment Agency), Dr Lučka Kajfež Bogataj (Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana), Dr Janez Potočnik (International Resource Panel), Dr Jonas Sonnenschein (UMANOTERA), Dr Vasilka Sancin (Faculty of Law, University of Ljubljana), Mag Mojca Vendramin (Eco Fund), Dr Mihael Jožef Toman (Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana), Dr Aleš Poljanec (Slovenian Forest Service), Dr Maja Simoneti (Institute for Spatial Policies), Dr Žiga Zaplotnik (Climate Council), Dr Renata Salecl (Institute of Criminology, Faculty of Law, University of Ljubljana), Andrej Gnezda (Climate Policies Directorate, Ministry of the Environment, Climate and Energy) and Darja Matjašec (Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana).
The President's Forum was held through three panel discussions, moderated by Eva Tomič, Advisor to the President of the Republic of Slovenia on Climate Policy and Human Rights, Matjaž Harmel (ZaVita) and Barbara Simonič (EIT Climate-KIC).