📋 Tender Overview
At the 15th regular session, which took place on 26 May 2025, the Climate Act dominated the debate. The recently adopted Position of the Climate Council on the consideration of the Climate Act by the Government of the Republic of Slovenia, which calls for the law to be considered and adopted as soon as possible, was also supported by the Environmental Protection Council of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts.At the 15th session of the Climate Council, the main topic of discussion was the Climate Act, the adoption of which by the National Assembly is necessary to release almost two billion euros of European funds, half a billion of which are intended to help the poorest through the Social Climate Fund. The Climate Council highlighted that the Act establishes key financial and legal foundations for long-term decarbonization, which can also represent economic and development benefits for the country and wider society. They point out that the carriers of the development of green technologies and sustainable solutions are already achieving excessive financial benefits today. The members of the Council emphasized that a strong, data-supported communication campaign is needed for wider social acceptance of the Act's measures, which would explain the importance and benefits of environmental and climate measures for everyday life. This will require the involvement of a wider range of stakeholders - from academic and research institutions to local communities and non-governmental organizations, which would establish an effective communication network. They warned that discussions about changing citizens' habits are not constructive, since it is the state that bears the responsibility to adopt the law and effectively and fairly lead the green transition. In the letter, the Climate Council's position regarding the consideration of the Climate Act by the Government of the Republic of Slovenia was also supported by the Environmental Protection Council at the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts, which argues that the law represents the implementation of a common European climate policy, from which Slovenia, as one of the most climate-vulnerable member states, has direct environmental and economic benefits, including above-average financial support from the EU. In the discussion, the members of the council pointed out the lack of coordination in state bodies regarding the understanding of environmental and climate issues and the implementation of climate legislation, and therefore submitted a proposal to introduce mandatory education on climate and environmental content for employees in the state administration. In this context, they propose the introduction of micro-evidence to ensure a basic level of competence, especially for those who decide on public finances and the environmental impacts of projects. The Climate Council also discussed the possibility of issuing green bonds to co-finance green projects and commit the state to effective decarbonization. In the discussion, members also called for higher standards of public spatial planning, which could be implemented in the form of national recommendations, which could also include recommendations for preserving air quality and restoring more climate-resilient Slovenian forests.
