Member State fact sheet: Slovenia
Integrated coastal management and climate change adaptation
I. SummaryLegislative and institutional framework
Slovenia is a Party to the Barcelona Convention and has ratified the ICZM protocol. Slovenia does not, however, have specific national legislation on ICM. Aspects of ICM are covered through sectoral legislation, such as the environment, spatial planning and maritime legislation.
The Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning leads policies related to ICM as well as adaptation to climate change. The Ministry is supported by the Slovenian Environment Agency. Regional and local bodies in the South Primorska region have addressed ICM in planning documents.
Policies and plans for ICM and CCA
Currently (October 2014) the Regional Development Program for the administrative coastal area of Primorska for the period of 2014-2020is under preparation. The Development Program integrates ICZM principles.
Slovenia does not have an overall national adaptation strategy in place. Slovenia adopted in 2008 the National Adaptation Strategy for Forestry and Agriculture, which was followed by a 2010-11 Action Plan for these two sectors. Currently a National Working Group on Adaptation aims to coordinate preparation of a national action plan on adaptation, which will include coastal zones.
ICM and CCA links
Climate change was addressed in the CAMP project (2004-2008), which supported ICM in South Primorska.
Research
Slovenia has participated in several EU projects related to ICM and CCA and carried out national projects on these themes.
Transboundary cooperation
Slovenia participates in Adriatic and Mediterranean initiatives that address ICM. The CAMP project was carried out with the UNEP/MAP Coastal Centre (PAP/RAC).
II. Legislative and policy framework
II.1 Legislative structure
Slovenia has ratified the ICZM Protocol under the Barcelona Convention. Slovenia does not have specific legislation on ICM in place. Key legislation that affects ICM includes:
- Nature Conservation Act, 1999[i]. Five protected areas have been established along Slovenia’s coast: two natural parks, two natural monuments and a natural reserve.
- Environment Protection Act (Official Gazette RS No. 41/04, amended in 2006 No.39/06)[ii]
- Waters Act (Official Gazette RS No. 22 July 2002)[iii]
- Cultural Heritage Protection Act (Official Gazette RS No. 16/2008,15 February 2008)[iv]
- Promotion of Balanced Regional Development Act (Official Gazette RS No. 60/99, 29 July 1999)[v]. Calls for regional planning, including in the South Primorska region that encompasses Slovenia’s coast. States that regional development plans must be prepared with a view to harmonize local/regional interests with national projects.
- Maritime Code (Official Gazette RS No.26/2001 and subsequent amendments).[vi]
- Spatial Planning Act(Official Gazette RS no. 33/2007,28 April 2007).[vii] Also applies to maritime spatial planning.
- The Slovenian Climate Change Act (Zakon o podnebnihspremembah, 3. Osnutek)[viii], foreseen initially by the Strategy for the transition of Slovenia to a low carbon society by 2060. Adoption of the strategy has been delayed and, information was not found whether the Act has been adopted.
II.2 Administrative structures
National level
The Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning leads on policies related to ICM as well as adaptation to climate change. In particular, spatial planning has been a key mechanism for the implementation of ICM.
The Slovenian Environment Agency, under the Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning, carries out analysis and administrative tasks. It has addressed adaptation to climate change.
Regional and local levels
The main plans for ICM have been developed as part of the South PrimorskaDevelopment Region, which encompasses Slovenia’s coastline (the coastline is 46.6 km in length). This Region is below NUTS 3 level.[ix] Actions are implemented also at local level, through spatial plans, and by entities such as the Port of Koper.
Coordination mechanisms
A management structure consisting of the Regional Council for South Primorska (mayors of the eight coastal and hinterland municipalities) and the Regional Development Council was set up for the CAMP process (carried out with the PAP/RAC Centre of the Mediterranean Action Programme).
According to Slovenia’s 2010 report to the European Commission on ICZM implementation, however, ‘the regional development management structure entrustedwith the implementation of ICZM (or CAMP – Coastal Area ManagementProgramme) failed to fulfill its role’, as it did not continue to meet regularly following the end of the CAMP Programme.[x]
More generally, coordination mechanisms are to be set up for regional development processes. The 2011 revision of the national Act on Balanced Regional Development calls for the establishment of committees for regional development including stakeholder representatives, external experts, representatives of municipalities, offices of national bodies and other institutions operating in eachregion.
II.3 Policies and strategies
ICM policy/strategy
Slovenia does not have a national ICM policy document. In 2004 Slovenia adopted the Spatial Planning Strategy, which provides the framework for spatial development.[xi]Slovenia does not have a national strategy, but addresses ICM in the Regional Development Plan for South Primorska, the only coastal region.Currently (October 2014) the Regional Development Program for the administrative coastal area of Primorska for the period of 2014-2020 is under preparation. The Development Program integrates ICZM principles. The new development program will incorporate a prohibition of construction within a 100m zone from the coastline land-inwards.
The Coastal Area Management Programme (CAMP), from 2004 to 2008, supported work on ICM in South Primorska, including its integration in the Regional Development Plan 2007-2013. The Programme carried out a range of individual projects[xii]:
- Conception of Spatial Development of South Primorska, covering the spatial integration of strategies and programmes, the spatial arrangements of the coastal strip, management of protected areas and protection of water resources;
- Detailed Conception of Coastal Strip Spatial Arrangements;
- Management of Protected Areas, on alternative models for the management of coastal protected areas;
- Regional Strategy of Sustainable Tourism Development, identifying key measures – the results were incorporated in the Regional Development Plan;
- Regional Programme of Environmental and Water Resources Protection, to support the implementation of the Water Framework Directive and related EU legislation; and
- Sensitivity Maps of the Slovenian Coast, identifying economic, environmental and cultural resources.
- Systemic and Prospective Sustainability Analysis, integrating all project activities into an action plan;
- Programme of Public Participation, Training and Promotion; and
- Regional Spatial Information System.
Previous plans related to ICM have included:
− Slovenian Coastal Zone Management 1997-1998;
− Regional Development Programme South Primorska 2000-2006;
National adaptation strategy/action plan
A draft national climate strategy – the Strategy for the transition of Slovenia to a low carbon society by 2060– covering both mitigation and adaptation, was prepared in 2011 by the former Government Office of Climate Change and was under public consultation until December 2012. The Strategy calls for the integration of adaptation into sectoral policies and in spatial policies. The adoption of the strategy has been delayed.[xiv]
Slovenia has a 2008 National Adaptation Strategy for Forestry and Agriculture, followed by a 2010-11 Action Plan for these sectors.
The National Programme for the Protection against Natural and Other Disasters for the Period 2009-2015addresses coastal flooding and droughts among its topics.
Other strategies
The Spatial Development Strategy of Slovenia (2004) provides a framework for spatial planning across the country. It highlights the range of pressures on the country’s coast. It also highlights the importance of the for tourism development, transport, shipping and environmental protection. It calls for landscape protection and higher quality tourism development.[xv]
Under this Strategy, the Spatial Order of Slovenia defines general rules for spatial planning at local level (the municipal Spatial Orders).
A MarineEnvironment Management Plan is in preparation (reportedly for 2015). The Regional Development Centre in Koper has worked marine spatial planning, including mapping and stakeholder engagement, under the EU PlanCoast project.[xvi]
The draft Strategy for the transition of Slovenia to a low carbon society by 2060 contains three main components: reducing GHG emissions through green growth, adaptation to climate change and supporting horizontal strategies, such as awareness raising, communication and public participation. The strategy also encompasses policy guidelines for 13 thematic areas, adaptation aspects are also considered.
Regional level
Regional development programmes, linked to the National Spatial Planning Strategy, should include an assessment of vulnerability to climate change.
III. Knowledge base and information dissemination on climate change impacts on coastal areas
III.1 Overview of key projects and programmes (EU/regional sea/national levels)
EU: cf. annex
Regional sea
As described above, the CAMP project under MAP supported the development of ICM on Slovenia’s coast.
National
The Environment Agency carries out studies on environmental protection, including adaptation to climate change. Key studies in this area include:
- Climate variability in Slovenia and its impact on the aquatic environment (2010)[xvii]
- Vulnerability of Slovenian agriculture and forestry to climate variability and first impact assessment (2004)
- Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment (2011) [xviii]
III.2 National web portals relevant for ICM and adaptation
No information found
III.3 Awareness raising activities for ICM and adaptation
Under the CAMP process in South Primorska, training events for public officials and stakeholders were organised to support ICM.
III.4 Influence of research on policy
Information not found
IV. Transboundary cooperation
IV.1 Regional sea level
As noted above, Slovenia has ratified the ICZM Protocol under the Barcelona Convention. Moreover, a CAMP Programme with the PAP/RAC Centre under MAP supported the development of ICM along Slovenia’s coast.
IV.2 Bilateral and other transboundary Initiatives
Slovenia participates in the following marine and coastal initiatives with neighbouring countries:
- The Adriatic-Ionian Initiative, launched in 2000 and related to the Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe. The Initiative brings together Albania, Bosnia Herzegovina, Croatia, Greece, Italy, Serbia and Montenegro, Slovenia; one of its five activity areas addresses transport and maritime cooperation. The EU Adriatic-Ionian Macro-region is slated to co-operate with the Initiative.[xix]
- The Adriatic Sea Partnership, which brings together Italy (MoE) with partners in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro and Slovenia as well as the Regional Environmental Center, UNEP, UNESCO and other international organisations and NGOs. (It is not clear if the Partnership is currently active.)[xx]
- The Joint Commission for the Protection of the Adriatic Sea and coastal areas was established in 1977 under the Agreement on Cooperation for the Protection of the Adriatic Sea and Coastal Areas from Pollution, between the former Yugoslavia and Italy. Current members of the Commission are: Croatia, Italy, Slovenia and Montenegro.[xxi]
Sources and further information
Analysis of ICZM Practice in Slovenia, for SHAPE and the AdriaticIPA, May 2012
Government of Slovenia, Report of the implementation of the ICZM in Slovenia, May, 2011
Mediterranean Action Plan, MAP Coastal Area Management Programme (CAMP) Slovenia: Final Integrated Report . MAP Technical Series No. 171, 2008
Policy Research Corporation, The economics of climate change adaptation in EU coastal areas (study for the European Commission, DG Maritime Affairs): Slovenia country report, 2009
Policy Research Corporation, Exploring the potential of maritime spatial planning in the Mediterranean Sea (study for the European Commission, DG Maritime Affairs): Slovenia country report, 2009
Slovenia ICZM Report to DG Environment, 2011
[i] Available in English at accessed on 11 February 2014
[ii] Available in English at accessed on 11 Febraury 2014
[iii] Available in English at accessed 11 February 2014
[iv] Available in English at accessed on 11 February 2014
[v] Available in English at accessed on 11 February 2014
[vi] Available in Slovenian at accessed on 11 February 2014
[vii] Available in English at accessed on 11 February 2014
[viii]The third draft of the law is available at accessed on 18 February 2014
[ix]It is comprised of the following municipalities: Divača, Hrpelje-Kozina, Ilirska Bistrica, Izola, Komen, Koper, Piran and Sežana.
[x] Government of Slovenia, Report of the implementation of the ICZM in Slovenia, May, 2011
[xi] Available in English at accessed on 11 February 2014
[xii]Mediterranean Action Plan, MAP Coastal Area Management Programme (CAMP) Slovenia: Final Integrated Report . MAP Technical Series No. 171, 2008
[xiii]Policy Research Corporation, Exploring the potential of maritime spatial planning in the Mediterranean Sea (study for the European Commission, DG Maritime Affairs): Slovenia country report, 2011
[xiv]Government Office of Climate Change, Draft strategy for the transition of Slovenia to a low carbon society by 2050, 2012
[xv]
[xvi]Policy Research Corporation, Exploring the potential of maritime spatial planning in the Mediterranean Sea (study for the European Commission, DG Maritime Affairs): Slovenia country report, 2011
[xvii] Available at accessed on 18 February 2014
[xviii]Available at accessed on 18 February 2014
[xix]Adriatic-Ionian Initiative: (consulted August 2013)
[xx]Adriatic Sea Partnership: (consulted August 2013)
[xxi]Ministry of Environmental and Nature Protection, Croatia, The Joint Commission for the protection of the Adriatic Sea and coastal area from pollution: (consulted August 2013)