PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
The economic impact of climate-related extreme weather events varies across the EU. According to the European Environment Agency (EEA), Slovenia experienced the highest losses per capita and per square kilometre between 1980 and 2023. The catastrophic floods in August 2023, for example, affected 183 of 212 Slovenian municipalities and caused an estimated €9.9 billion worth of damage. Severe droughts that have been particularly damaging to the country's agriculture and the 2022 Karst wildfire, which spread across 2 000 hectares, also underline the country's vulnerability.
While the Slovenian government has responded with emergency legislation, previous efforts have focused primarily on mitigation of these extreme events. There is also an urgent need to strengthen adaptation measures, particularly as Slovenia's 2016 National Adaptation Strategy (NAS) needs updating. There is also a need to enhance the institutional capacity of:
- the Ministry of the Environment, Climate and Energy (MECE) as the legislative coordinator
- the Slovenian Environment Agency (ARSO) as the climate data provider
- the Local Contact Point (LCP) as a regional facilitator for adaptation measures
Key issues that need addressing include the need for a centralised climate portal, a solid variety of good practices, capacity building, and targeted education for professionals and public administrations.
Public concern about climate change remains high, with European Barometer surveys consistently showing that 2/3 of the population consider it a serious issue. Recent government actions also indicate strong momentum for change, while EEA analysis underscores Slovenia’s need for adaptation policy development and emphasises the importance of sustained strategic action.
OBJECTIVES
The main objective of the LIFE4ADAPT project is to support the implementation of the Slovenian NAS by addressing key gaps, enhancing knowledge, and strengthening institutional capacity and stakeholder cooperation to accelerate climate adaptation.
The specific objectives of the project are to:
- improve resources and competencies needed for developing and implementing adaptation policies at all levels, with an emphasis on municipalities, regions and key economic sectors
- establish mechanisms for monitoring, evaluation, communication and education
- implement pilot measures that promote sustainable development, reduce emissions, enhance biodiversity, and strengthen social resilience through complementary funding
- establish a Climate Service Centre (CSC) to provide tailored climate data and improve accessibility to climate projections
- strengthen interministerial cooperation and expand local climate offices to accelerate adaptation actions
- upgrade the existing Climate Portal into a central hub for climate data, expert exchange and public awareness
- develop and implement good practices to enhance climate resilience, biodiversity protection and sustainability
- conduct risk assessments for Natura 2000 sites to guide conservation priorities
- create a climate adaptation communication strategy and develop awareness campaigns
- organise conferences, workshops and exhibitions to promote climate action among stakeholders
- develop educational programmes and training sessions for students, teachers, experts and public administrations
- establish a monitoring system for NAS implementation and develop sustainable financing mechanisms
- ensure long-term impact through a post-project sustainability plan
RESULTS
The main expected result of the LIFE4ADAPT project is to enable the full implementation of the NAS in Slovenia. The specific expected results of the project are:
- updated climate projections for Slovenia, prepared with an enhanced CSC, reaching 35 000 users, with tailored services and a user guide
- establishment of working group on adaptation (WGA)
- updating of 11 strategic documents and providing training to 1 790 decision-makers
- improvement in the knowledge of 60 SEA/EIA practitioners’, supported by a handbook
- set-up of an SOS team as a communication link, reaching 89 000 website visitors and 2 000 social media followers
- training sessions and study tour for 1 180 local municipal employees
- public access to key project outputs, including reports, guidelines, best practices and videos
- at least 7 out of 12 regions in Slovenia will join the EU Mission on Adaptation
- Update of the existing climate portal with adaptation content, reaching 100 000 users
- creation of a new web app for climate data in agriculture, engaging 5 000 users
- guidelines for flood-proofing hydraulic structures and urban watercourses integrated into national policy
- Improvement of water allocation and efficiency, including the elaboration of new guidelines and monitoring protocols
- implantation of pilot projects to demonstrate how water allocation and urban watercourse management can be improved
- 23.9 hectares (ha) of protected areas/Natura 2000 sites and 6 species will be made more climate-resilient
- preparation of risk assessments for three regions, and training of more than 110 managers and residents
- enhancement of agricultural adaptation through technological guidelines, training and outreach to more than 10 000 stakeholders
- strengthening of the resilience of Karst (19.1 km²/1 910 ha), oak/spruce forests (17.7 km²/1 770 ha), and urban watercourses
- business zones, social infrastructure, and just transition areas are more climate-resilient, benefiting over 300 000 people
- Implementation of climate adaptation measures in elderly care homes, reaching more than 19 000 elderly people
- a climate education portal (for 15 000 users) with 6 courses and 30 educational units
- professional training for more than 350 experts and 100 policymakers, accompanied by a dedicated certification scheme
- €488.9 million mobilised, with 3 financial mechanisms supporting adaptation projects in place
- a monitoring and evaluation system for NAP implementation and an after-LIFE plan