My visit to Slovenia, the most sustainable country in Europe

Rina Steyn
Oct 5, 2024
5 min read

Updated: Oct 16, 2024

by RINA STEYN

THE capital city of Slovenia, Ljubljana, was awarded Europe's GREENEST CAPITAL IN 2016 and THE TREE CITY OF THE WORLD IN 2020. To qualify, Slovenia successfully completed 96 out of 100 detailed sustainability indicators, regarding environment and climate, culture and authenticity, and nature and biodiversity.

The flag indicates some of Slovenia’s history. Slovenia used a copy of the Russian flag with the three white, blue and red banners to show solidarity with fellow Slavic peoples during the Napoleonic Wars. The three yellow six-pointed stars come from the historic coat of arms of the Counts of Celje, a powerful Slovenian dynasty in the Middle Ages. Ulrich II, the last male member of the family, fought for Slovenian independence. Under the communist reign of the 20th century the blue and white waves, representing the Adriatic coast, and the stylised three-peaked mountain, representing Slovenia’s highest mountain, Triglav, were added to the coat of arms. When the country became independent on June 25, 1991, this flag was raised.

The secret of Slovenia’s sustainability

Geography

Despite its small size of just 20 000 square kilometres, Slovenia boasts an incredible level of biodiversity. The country is home to several mountain ranges, including the Julian Alps, the Dinaric Alps, and the Southern Limestone Alps. It also features the Adriatic Sea, the Pannonian Plain, and the Karst Plateau with its vast underground caves. The diverse landscape results in three main climate types, making Slovenia a biodiversity hotspot:

Mediterranean climate on the coast
Continental climate with mild to hot summers and cold winters in the plateaus and valleys to the east
Mountain climate in higher areas

Slovenia covers less than 0.004% of the planet’s surface but hosts about 1% of the world’s biodiversity. Eighty per cent of the country is covered with natural forests, an area large enough to fit 1.7 million football fields. Slovenia also boasts 26 000 km of rivers and streams. It is home to 2% of all terrestrial species, many of which are endemic. Notable species include the Carnolian honey bee, the Lipizzaner horse and the olm, an aquatic amphibian salamander nicknamed ‘the baby dragon’ living in dark caves. There are about 500 brown bears in Slovenia's extensive forests, and the country is actively helping to reintroduce brown bears throughout Europe.

The Green Government

Protected areas

Triglav National Park (source: explore-share)

Slovenia is a haven for nature lovers, boasting 2 260 protected areas. of these, 1 905 sites are protected under national laws, while 355 of the sites (37.87% of the country) are classified as Natura 2000 sites – a network of nature protection areas in the European Union.

Waste Management and Plastic Pollution

In 2014, Ljubljana made history by becoming the first European capital to commit to going zero waste. By 2021, Slovenia had introduced a ban on nearly all single-use plastic products, including plastic cutlery, plates, straws, ear swabs, and balloon sticks. The ban also covers food and drink packaging made of expanded polystyrene and other items manufactured with oxo-degradable plastic.

One of many recycling options in the streets of Ljubljana.

Sustainable tourism

The Slovenian Tourism Board has developed the Green Scheme of Slovenian Tourism (GSST), a comprehensive plan to promote sustainable tourism. The GSST aims to provide tools for destinations and service providers to evaluate and improve their sustainability efforts. It also promotes these green initiatives through the Slovenia Green brand. To achieve these goals, GSST has established a network of destinations and service providers certified as ‘sustainable’ under the Green Scheme.

The National Green Mentality

Slovenians are true nature lovers who see their home as an extension of themselves. They are the most passionate beekeepers in the European Union, with 90 000 beekeepers - almost 5 in every 1 000 people! This dedication led the United Nations to declare May 20 as World Bee Day. Additionally, there is one vineyard for every 70 people. This green mindset, combined with the government’s green policies and education, has made Slovenia one of the most sustainable countries in the world.

Education

Sustainability is a key part of the curriculum at all levels of education in Slovenia, from kindergartens to universities. The Organisation and Financing of Education Act, passed in 2008, aims to promote education for sustainable development and active social integration. The 2011 White Paper on Education explicitly states that “sustainable development is the main standpoint of education and the main educational goal”. Teachers often take their pupils on outdoor and cultural excursions during the term, following the Basic School Act of 1996, which integrates outdoor education into the national curriculum for primary and lower secondary education.

Throughout their nine-year compulsory education, all students participate in various events dedicated to cultural, sports, science, and technical activities, as well as days focused on outdoor activities and sport. These events are fully funded by the government, allowing children to learn about nature from a young age and develop a strong connection and appreciation for it. This connection and appreciation continue into adulthood, with primary schoolchildren taking part in at least one sport, contributing to Slovenia's reputation as a sporting nation. Almost 70% of Slovenians enjoy playing sports recreationally throughout the year, a habit they develop during their primary school years. Thanks to Slovenia’s rich biodiversity, popular sports include hiking, running and cycling, although the country also boasts talented athletes in various other sports. Slovenians believe that their diverse natural environment encourages them to stay active. Reflecting the importance of sport in their culture, Slovenia, has even dedicated a national holiday to it – the Day of Slovenian Sport, celebrated on September 23.

Rina's recommendations

I recommend that everybody visit one of the world’s top sustainable nations and, most importantly, to urge policy makers in their own countries to follow the great example that Slovenia has laid out for us.

The people at the Tourist Information Centre (TIC) in Ljubljana are extremely helpful to guide you to whatever you want to do and wherever you want to go in Slovenia.

You can save a lot of money by purchasing a Ljubljana Card that allows you to enter museums and galleries and use the city buses for “free” (visitljubljana.com)

Use Slovenia Explorer www.slovenia-explorer.com for half day and full day small group tours to all the main attractions in Slovenia.

Public transport by train or bus is very reliable and regular. You can reach anywhere in Slovenia within 2 hours. You can also travel from Ljubljana to the capitals of all the neighbouring countries.

https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/ This website gives you a short overview of 265 world entities under the following headings: Introduction, Geography, People and Society, Government and Economy and will help you decide to which country to go next.