24 February 2012, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Janez Podobnik

Director

International ECPD Institute for Sustainable Development, Urban Planning and Environmental Studies

POINTS TO BE DISCUSSED

Adaptation of Slovenian Environmental legislature during the EU Accession period

Environmental situation in Slovenia after (8 years) joining the EU

Conclusions

ABOUT ECPD Located in Ljubljana,

Slovenia – an EU and NATO member state

Established in 2009 Part of the European Centre

for Peace and Development (ECPD) which is a part of the United Nations University for Peace

ECPD has headquarters in Belgrade and an academic council in Paris

ABOUT ICPE•The International Center for Promotion of Enterprises (ICPE) is an intergovernmental organization, with its headquarters in Slovenia set up on a United Nations initiative in 1974

• 18 member countries from Latin America, Asia, Africa and Europe, including Bosnia and Herzegovina, which is an active member as well as our newest member state, Angola

•ICPE is mandated to pursue and promote international cooperation in areas related to the transfer of technology, sustainable entrepreneurship and promotion of knowledge-based societal change through research, training, consultancy an information services in these fields

•Since the ICPE’s establishment in 1974, many joint projects have been undertaken with regional and national chambers of industry and commerce as well as universities, private and public enterprises and other institutions around the world, including in countries outside the ICPE’s membership.

AUTHOR’S EXPERIENCE WITH INTERNATIONAL (POLITICAL) ACTIVITIES

PROFESSONAL CAREER

1985-1990 – Medical doctor at the ambulance stations in Cerkno and Idrija 1990-1992 – Mayor of Idrija 1992-1996 – Member of the first National Assembly of the Republic o Slovenia 1994 -1998 – Mayor of Cerkno 1996-2000 – Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Slovenia 2000-2004 – Member of the third National Assembly of the Republic of

Slovenia 2000-2004 – Member of the Parliamentary Assembly of Council of Europe 2002-2004 – Observer in the European Parliament for the Republic of Slovenia 2004 – Member of the European Parliament 2004-2008 – Minister for Environment and Spatial Planning in the

Government of the Republic of Slovenia First half of 2008 – President of the European Council of European

environment ministers during Slovenia's presidency of the European Council

April 2009 to present – Director of the ECPD International Institute for Sustainable Development, Urban Planning and Environmental Studies in Ljubljana

January 2012 to present – Special advisor to the Director-General of the International Center for Promotion of Enterprises in Ljubljana

COOPERATION BETWEEN ECPD/ICPE AND RCCCooperation in common activities with ICPE

ICPE/ECPD – ICAM Conference: Integrated Coastal Area Management of the Adriatic/Mediterranean-Black Sea Coastal Areas and the Danube/Sava River Basins, 10.-11.november 2010 (active participation by Mag. Miroslav Kukobat, Head of Infrastructure and Energy Unit, Regional Cooperation Council Secretariat)

Visit of Mr Podobnik to the headquarters of RCC in Spring 2010

Established permanent linksBSF – Bled Strategic Forum (contacts with RCC’s

Ms. Jelica Minić, RCC Head of Expert Pool)Representatives of SECI Vienna

FACTS ABOUT SLOVENIA•Population: 2,050,189 (2011 est.)

•GDP per capita: $25,939 -19,653€ (2011 est.)

•GDP PPP(purchasing power parity):total: $58.979 billion; per capita- $29,179 – 22,108€ (2011 est.)

•211 Municipalities – 11 of them are Urban Municipalities

•New government, elected on 4. December 2011 reduced the number of ministries from 18 to 12

•Ministry of the Environment and Spatial Planning and Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food are now joined into Ministry of Agriculture and the Environment, without Spatial Planning, which is now a part of the Ministry for Infrastructure and Spatial Planning

TIMELINE OF SLOVENIA’S ACCESSION TO EU

Source: www.evropa.gov.si

SLOVENIA’S NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE EU - ENVIRONMENTThree key findings on Slovenian pre-EU

accession negotiations regarding environment:1. The key role of the National Parliament with

the transfer of European environmental law to the national environmental legislation (with a special role of the parliamentary committee on environment) Slovenian National Assembly had to adopt 8 laws to harmonize with environmental policies of European Union.

2. State, local communities, economy and the ordinary citizen already act on the principles of EU environmental legislation before the formal conclusion of negotiations

3. Environmental policies as development policies since they bring new jobs, new technologies, support sustainable development and social responsibility

SLOVENIA’S NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE EU IN THE FIELD OF ENVIRONMENT Slovenia was the first country among 10 candidate

countries to successfully finish negotiations in the field of environment

Slovenia negotiated three transitory periods:1. Waste water management (until 2015)2. Industrial pollution (until 2011)3. Waste packaging management (until 2007)

The key European directive for improvements in Slovenian industrial pollution management is the IPPC – Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control

Slovenia accepted as its obligatory accession commitment the inclusion into Natura 2000.

SLOVENIA’S NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE EU IN THE FIELD OF ENVIRONMENT - IPCCIPPC – Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control

One of the key EU directives in the field of environment It introduces integrated environment authorizations and

permits, it demands the introduction of best techniques available on prevention of pollution transfer

Slovenia transferred the directive in its law order – Law on protection of environment and the Regulation on activities and facilities that may cause a large-scale environment degradation

Due to very complicated procedure, Slovenia implemented the Directive with more than one year delay (it was also brought into a procedure before the EU Court of Justice in Luxembourg)

SLOVENIA’S NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE EU IN THE FIELD OF ENVIRONMENT – NATURA 2000 NATURA 2000 includes the implementation of two

European directives:1. Habitats directive2. Birds directive

286 Natura 2000 protection designated areas (36 % of the country – the largest % among EU member states)

Operative Programme on Management of Areas under Natura2000 (2007 – 2013)

Natura2000 entered Slovenian environmental legislation: law on protection of nature, government regulation on designation of protection areas

Active role of local communities (Slovenia currently has 212 local communities: Slovenia established a strong movement of eco-schools and eco-kindergardens)

SLOVENIA’S NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE EU - ENVIRONMENTSlovenia’s way for successful

environment policy and legislation negotiations with the EU:1. Active inclusion of the

environmental professionals and the academic sphere (who were part of the negotiating team)

2. Active involvement of environmental NGOs

3. Environment as a common point for all political parties in the Parliament

SLOVENIA’S NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE EUThe EU’s Acquis Communautaire had to be

imported in the Slovenian law framework by the Slovenian Parliament

Slovenia negotiated prolongation of its status as a EU-funds receipt-countryPart of the 4th financial perspective (entry to the EU

2004 until 2006)the 5th financial perspective (2007-2013) although it

surpassed the development criteria

Importance of pre-accession financial instrumentsPHARE (1992-2003) 339 mio. EURSAPARD (2000-2003) 26 mio. EURISPA (2000-2003) 84 mio. EUR

Pre-accession financial instrument for Environmental issues - ISPAsigned to address environmental and transport

infrastructure priorities identified in the Accession Partnerships with the 10 applicant countries of Central and Eastern Europe.

Purpose: enhance economic and social cohesion in the applicant countries of Central & Eastern Europe for the period 2000-2006.

Only financed major environmental and transport infrastructure projects

Comes under the remit of the Directorate General for Regional Policy

SLOVENIA’S ENVIRONMENTAL POLICIES – 8 YEARS AFTER THE EU ACCESSIONMembership in the EU forced Slovenia to act decisively

on a wide field of environmentally-oriented issuesSlovenia has wisely and successfully used the European funds

for implementation of its environment protection projects

The quality of life in Slovenian cities has improved dramatically1. All Slovenian cities - with exception of Nova Gorica – have

modern, operating waste treatment plants. 2. Numerous smaller towns and villages are deciding to

construct biological waste treatment plants3. More than 90% od Slovenian citizens have access to clean

drinking water from public pipelines4. The quality of Slovenian rivers and streams has improved due

to construction of new waste treatment plants and strict implementation of the IPPC directive

5. Improved air quality in Slovenian cities (although Slovenia still has problems with PM-10 air particles – due to heavy transport)

6. More than 50 Mwatts of photovoltaic instalations

SLOVENIA’S ENVIRONMENTAL POLICIES AFTER THE ACCESSION TO THE EUMembership in the environmentally-aware EU has

brought Slovenia the need and obligation to SYSTEMATICALLY include the PRINCIPLES OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT in its management of ECONOMY and SOCIAL RELATIONS.

Membership in the EU has made Slovenia realize that it is necessary to shift away from the race to reach the EU15 European economic indicators

Slovenia has realized it is still one of moderately polluted countries of the EU27, with an exquisite biodiversity – this can be an advantage in the future!

SLOVENIA’S ENVIRONMENTAL POLICIES AFTER THE ACCESSION TO THE EUSLOVENIA IS ACTIVELY PARTICIPATING

IN EU FUNDS USAGE4.2 billion EUR (EU funds + national contribution)for the period 2007 - 2013

ERDF: 1.76 billion EUR

ESF: 755 million EUR

ECF: 1.57 billion EUR

Operational Programme of Environment and Transport Infrastructure Development 2007-2013 - Contractors

Municipalities (projects in the field of waste management, waste water treatment, drinking water supply)

Ministry of the Environment and Agriculture (projects in the field of flood safety and sustainable use of energy and renewable energy)

Allocation of funds for priority regional development potentials:2007-2013, by regions

RegionNumber of inhabitants

2007-2013EUR part

EUR per inhabitant

Goriška 119.541 40.282.629 6,88 336,98

Gorenjska 198.713 59.319.058 10,13 298,52

Obalno-kraška 105.313 31.181.467 5,32 296,08

Osrednje-slovenska 498.378 15.657.194 2,67 31,42

Pomurska 122.483 70.194.294 11,98 573,09

Notranjsko-kraška 51.132 23.328.479 3,98 456,24

Podravska 319.282 133.998.779 22,87 419,69

Spodnjeposavska 69.940 29.352.452 5,01 419,68

Zasavska 45.468 18.598.385 3,17 409,04

Koroška 73.905 27.595.505 4,71 373,39

JV Slovenija 139.434 50.928.355 8,69 365,25

Savinjska 257.525 85.401.555 14,58 331,62

Altogether 2.001.114 585.838.151 100,00 292,76

SLOVENIA’S ENVIRONMENTAL POLICIES AFTER THE ACCESSION TO THE EU

EUROPEAN REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT FUND

Tourism infrastructure of the Škocjan Caves Park

Renovation and modernisation of mountain refuges

SLOVENIA’S ENVIRONMENTAL POLICIES AFTER THE ACCESSION TO THE EU

EUROPEAN COHESION FUND

Celje regional waste treatment centre

Water supply system for the Banjščica plateau

Waste treatment plants in municipalities along the Savinja river

SLOVENIA’S ENVIRONMENTAL POLICIES AFTER THE ACCESSION TO THE EUthe EU Commission started 61 procedures

against Slovenia due to various breaches of EU legislation and policies in different fields

(waste management, water pollution, industrial pollution, air quality)

Slovenia faced three charges from the EU Court of Justice

Slovenia accepted the new Strategy of Development of Slovenia until 2013 – the strategy emphasizes sustainable development as one of the key priorities of Slovenian development

SLOVENIA’S ENVIRONMENTAL POLICIESSLOVENIA’S SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

INDICATORSWELL-BEING BALANCE AND MODESTY INTERGENERATIONAL

COOPERATIONQUALITY OF NATURAL

RESOURCES:

AIR QUALITY

DRINKING WATER QUALITY

ORGANIC FARMING

ECONOMIC GROWTH

GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT

HOUSEHOLD INCOME

SAFETY

LABOUR FORCE

ACCESS TO SOCIAL

PROTECTION

ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE

ACCESS TO EDUCATION

CRIME

NATURAL RESOURCES

CONSUMPTION

WATER CONSUMPTION FROM PUBLIC

WATER SUPPLY

MUNICIPAL AND FOOD WASTE

GENERATION

PASSENGER TRANSPORT.

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

EXPENDITURE ON DEVELOPMENT

POPULATION, GENDER EQUALITY AND

POVERTY

TOTAL INCREASE OF POPULATION

EARNINGS OF MEN AND WOMEN

AT-RISK-OF-POVERTY RATE

INTENSITY OF USE OF NATURAL

RESOURCES

ENERGY INTENSITY

GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS

CONSUMPTION OF MINERAL

FERTILISERS IN AGRICULTURE

INTENSITY OF WOOD REMOVALS

GOVERNMENT DEBT

GOVERNMENT DEBT

CARE FOR ALL GENERATIONS

THE AGE DEPENDENCY

CHILDCARE

CARE FOR THE ELDERLY

Green=Field of environment, Purple=Economy, Orange=Social Policy

Slovenian Experiences on Climate Change in practice

Platform “Slovenia reduces CO2 “ In 2010, 6 panel discussions took place live

and over the internet at the same time2011, expansion of the platform to promote

good practices Launched programme, called

“Environmentally Efficient State Administration”

Slovenian Experiences on Climate Change in practiceEnvironmental measures, including energy

accounting, are being introduced in office operations of all governmental bodies

Programme for the introducion of battery powered electric vehicles in Slovenia

Subsidies for purchase of new vehicles, introduction of charging stations to public parking areas, etc.

SLOVENIA’S ENVIRONMENTAL POLICIES Key role of the Ministry for Environment and Spatial Planning and

Ministry for Agriculture (in 2012 merged in a single Ministry for Environment and Agriculture without jurisdiction for Spatial Planning, which is now a part of Ministry for Infrastructure and Spatial Planning)

Guidelines were prepared by the NCSD – The National Council for Sustainable Development

IMAD – Institute for Macroeconomic Analysis and Development – monitors the NCSD’s work and results

Slovenia’s environmental policies must follow the EU Strategy

for Sustainable Development – Slovenia prepared annual national reports

EU Directive on renewable energy sources demands from Slovenia to increase its renewable energy source share in electricity production from 30% to 36%

Slovenia puts much emphasis on water protection – Slovenia accepted its comprehensive Law on protection of waters in 2002

SLOVENIA’S ENVIRONMENTAL POLICIESSlovenia heavily promotes the social responsibility

of enterprises – UN Global Compact Network Slovenia (includes 37 enterprises)

Societal interest groups: Social partners in the tripartite Social Agreement 2007-2009 defined sustainable development as one of the key areas for future competitiveness of Slovenian economy

Impact of more than 120 NGOs from the field of environment in Slovenia (nation-wide environmental action Let’s Clean Slovenia 2010)

CONCLUSIONS - Questions1. Can the EU environmental policy (low-carbon society

initiative) remain the key engine of European sustainability concept despite the economic crisis?

2. Can a responsible and coherent EU policy in the field of climate change mitigation and adaptation survive globally in the ‘’post-Kyoto years’’?

3. Is it true for the member countries of the RCC that solving environmental problems brings new jobs, new technologies, new knowledge and new connections between countries (such as EU Danube Strategy, International Sava River Basin Agreement, Black Sea Agreement)?

4. Can environmental topics bring cooperation in the national parliaments, can they increase the interest of the youth for politics?

5. Can large-scale environmental projects bring interest of international financial institutions and actors?

CONCLUSIONS - Answers

1. The approach to the low-carbon society must remain fundamental to the European environmental policies due to our responsibility for future generations

2. Europe must insist as a global leader in new environmental policy approach but not at the price of losing competitiveness from countries that do not adapt (China, India)

3. The RCC countries can use the new EU holistic approach to the development problems in the region, which has been offered to them in the form of the new EU Danube Strategy

4. Numerous practical cases and research affirm that environmental topics increase the interest of citizens for politics and political issues, especially among the younger generations

5. International financial institutions tend to strongly support larger infrastructural, energy, and environmental projects, with a special emphasis on sustainable approach.

THANK YOU FOR THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION!YOUR ATTENTION!

Janez PodobnikJanez Podobnik

info@ecpd.siinfo@ecpd.si

Director Special Advisor to Director-General