Main Goals
The Slovenian EU Presidency’s environmental agenda emerges out of the Team Presidency agenda of the German-Portuguese-Slovenian 18-month Presidencies.
One of the main priorities of the Slovenian Presidency will be the continuation of the leading role of EU in the world in combating climate change. Slovenia will continue with EU efforts to adopt a relevant agreement of the developed countries on the limitation of greenhouse gas emissions after 2012 and to include the largest developing countries into global efforts for limitation of emissions.
Timely conclusion of the relevant international agreement is crucial for the management of climate change management, while at the same time EU shall continue to develop and implement policies for the transition to competitive, low-carbon economy. According to the decisions of the EU Council, it will endeavour to achieve progress in searching for consent of the EU Member States concerning their contributions to the reduction of emissions by 20 or 30 % by 2020 compared with 1990 levels.
Among other things, during its Presidency, Slovenia will promote sustainable forest management.
Emissions Trading (incl. Aviation)
Proposal for the Directive of the European Parliament and Council on amendment to Directive 2003/87/ES with a view to inclusion of aviation in the Community greenhouse gas emissions trading scheme
The aim of the Directive is to reduce the growing influence of climate change resulting from air traffic and include aviation in the Community emissions trading scheme. The proposal is in accordance with EU common transport policy, since it promotes sustainable development of the air traffic. The proposed directive would amend Directive 2003/87/ES establishing a scheme for greenhouse gas emission allowance trading adopted in October 2003, which introduced a greenhouse gas emission allowance trading scheme within Member States on 1 January 2005.
In 2004 the Community’s share of international aviation greenhouse gas emissions increased by a further 7,5 percent compared with 2003 levels, resulting in an 87% cumulative growth since 1990. If this continues, there is a risk that growth of Community's share of international aviation emissions could by 2012 offset more than a quarter of environmental benefits resulting of the reductions pursuant to Kyoto Protocol.
The most important elements of the proposal for the Directive:
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