AGP Executive Report

Energy Governance: Slovenia’s Human Rights Ombudsman says the government and the Environment and Energy Ministry interfered with the Energy Agency during reforms to electricity network charges, breaching separation of powers and the right to a healthy living environment. Wildfire Preparedness (EU): The EU is ramping up summer wildfire response with hundreds of firefighters, aircraft and certified teams, plus 24/7 risk tracking and satellite mapping support. Climate & Transport Policy (EU): A new analysis warns that weak company car tax incentives leave many EU countries without clear signals to switch to EVs, risking long-term oil dependence. Renewables & Prices (Germany): Despite strong wind and solar growth, German households still pay among the highest electricity prices in the EU, highlighting the need for further clean generation. Green Claims Enforcement (EU): The European Commission has launched infringement procedures against 20 Member States, including Slovenia, for not fully transposing EU rules on green claims and sustainability labels. Biodiversity & Roads: Research highlights that wildlife-vehicle collisions rise with traffic volume and peak in spring, underlining the need for better road safety for animals. Local Nature Protest (Serbia): Protesters in Belgrade pushed for removal of a banner linked to the ruling party after claims it blocked protected bird nests. Urban Nature (Slovenia): Ljubljana’s environment minister nominee says she will speed up siting and building permits and commission an external review of the city’s controversial CO project. Zoo Update (Ljubljana): Ljubljana Zoo welcomed a female Nubian giraffe, the first in two decades.

EU wildfire readiness: The EU is ramping up summer fire response with 777 firefighters, 22 aircraft and 5 helicopters, plus 24/7 risk tracking and Copernicus mapping as 2025 burned a record 1 million hectares. EV incentives gap: A new Transport & Environment analysis says only 9 of 27 EU states give companies clear tax incentives to switch from fossil cars to EVs, risking longer oil dependence. Green claims enforcement: The European Commission has opened infringement procedures against 20 Member States, including Slovenia, for not fully transposing EU rules on green claims and sustainability labels ahead of a September 2026 start. Local environment policy (Slovenia): Environment and spatial planning nominee Polona Rifelj says she would speed up siting and building permits and supports co-incineration, while announcing an external review of Ljubljana’s controversial CO project. Coastal habitat change: Portorož’s main beach will be upgraded with white pebbles from the Soča River, with marine-life conditions considered, but critics warn it shouldn’t become a trend along the Slovenian coast. Biodiversity & roads: Research highlights wildlife-vehicle collisions peaking in spring and links collision risk to traffic volume and speed—relevant for safer driving and habitat protection.

EU Wildfire Response: With climate change driving bigger, more frequent fires, the EU is deploying a record summer force—777 firefighters, 22 aircraft and 5 helicopters—plus 24/7 coordination, satellite mapping and a new regional firefighting station in Cyprus. Transport & Pollution: A new T&E analysis warns that weak company-car tax incentives leave most EU countries unable to steer fleets away from fossil fuels, risking long-term oil dependence. Green Claims Enforcement: The European Commission has opened infringement procedures against 20 Member States, including Slovenia, for not fully transposing rules to curb misleading green claims and sustainability labels. Local Environment Policy: Slovenia’s environment and spatial planning minister nominee Polona Rifelj says she would speed up siting and building permits and commission an external review of Ljubljana’s controversial CO project. Coastal Nature & Tourism: Portorož’s main beach is set to be upgraded with white pebbles from the Soča River, with measures aimed at meeting environmental requirements and supporting marine life. Biodiversity Under Pressure: Research highlights how wildlife-vehicle collisions spike in spring and rush hours, underscoring the need for better road safety for animals. Climate Risk Data for Insurers: Generali expands use of Intermap’s Aquarius platform to improve assessment of natural hazard and climate-related exposures across Poland, Hungary and Slovenia.

Green Claims Crackdown: The European Commission has launched infringement procedures against 20 EU member states, including Slovenia, for not fully transposing the Green Claims and sustainability label rules—meant to curb greenwashing and clarify durability, repairability and consumer rights. Climate Risk Insurance Boost: Generali is expanding the use of Intermap’s AI-enabled Aquarius risk platform to Poland, Hungary and Slovenia, aiming to better quantify natural hazard and climate-related risks across the insurance lifecycle. Wildlife on the Move, Cars Too: Research highlights that wildlife-vehicle collisions rise with traffic volume and peak in spring (notably May/early June), with drivers facing higher risk during rush hours and seasonal migrations. EV Incentives Lag: Analysis by Transport & Environment finds only 9 of 27 EU countries clearly incentivise companies to switch fleets to EVs via taxation—despite corporate vehicles driving a large share of road emissions. Severe Weather Watch: Serbia and the region face unstable conditions with frequent showers and thunderstorms; Slovenia also saw storm activity and new alerts are expected as a cold front moves through. Coastal Nature Change: Portorož’s main beach is set to be upgraded with white pebbles from the Soča River, with marine habitat considerations—while experts warn such coastal alterations shouldn’t become a trend.

Wildlife & Roads: A new study links wildlife-vehicle collisions to traffic volume and speed, with spring and autumn rush hours the riskiest periods—plus a key issue in reporting when no one is held responsible. EV Policy Gap: Transport & Environment says Europe is moving too slowly on corporate EV uptake: only 9 of 27 EU states clearly incentivise company fleets via taxes, despite EVs’ higher upfront costs. Climate Risk Insurance: Generali is expanding use of Intermap’s Aquarius risk analytics in Poland, Hungary and Slovenia to better quantify natural hazard and climate-related risks across the insurance cycle. Green Claims Enforcement: The EU Commission has launched infringement steps against 20 Member States, including Slovenia, for not fully transposing rules to curb greenwashing in product labels and claims. Severe Weather Alerts: Serbia and parts of the region face unstable conditions with heavy downpours, thunderstorms and orange warnings, with Slovenia also seeing storm risk. Coastal Nature Change: Portorož’s main beach will be upgraded with white Soča River pebbles to support marine life—while experts warn it shouldn’t become a repeat pattern along the coast. Ljubljana Zoo: The zoo welcomed a female Nubian giraffe, Pietruška, the first in 23 years.

Severe Weather Watch: Serbia and the wider region face highly unstable weather from Monday, with frequent showers and thunderstorms and an orange warning for heavy downpours and storms; Slovenia is also bracing for possible severe storms, especially in the northeast, as a cold front moves toward Serbia. Coastal Nature Management: Portorož’s main beach is being upgraded with about 3,700 cubic metres of white pebbles from the Soča River, aiming to create marine habitat conditions while keeping the change within environmental requirements—though experts warn it shouldn’t become a trend along the whole Slovenian coast. Flood Preparedness: Slovenia’s hydrological forecasting service highlights how flash floods can develop in under an hour and stresses timely alerts and better coordination to protect people and property. Green Transition Rules: The European Commission has launched infringement steps against 20 EU states, including Slovenia, for not fully transposing the directive on empowering consumers for the green transition, targeting green claims and sustainability labels. Biodiversity in Ljubljana: Ljubljana Zoo welcomed a female Nubian giraffe, Pietruška, the first in 23 years, adding to local conservation and public nature education.

Coastal Nature Upgrade in Portorož: Slovenia’s main beach is getting a makeover: white pebbles from the Soča River will replace the old concrete-and-sand setup, with about 3,700 cubic metres spread and sandstone blocks added to keep them in place and support marine life. Works are due to finish by 15 June, but marine experts warn the approach shouldn’t become a blanket practice along the whole coast. Heat and Storm Watch: Weather updates point to a stormy Sunday with cloudy Monday conditions, scattered showers and possible afternoon storms, plus a broader note that Europe’s early-season heat has been extreme. Ljubljana Zoo Conservation: Ljubljana Zoo welcomed a female Nubian giraffe, Pietruška, the first female of this subspecies in 23 years, arriving from Warsaw and settling in alongside a male giraffe. Energy Transition Push: A European Commission move targets delayed national transposition of the “Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition” directive, aimed at cutting greenwashing and improving trust in sustainability labels. Flood Preparedness Spotlight: Slovenia’s hydrological service highlights how forecasting and fast alerts matter most during flash-flood conditions, referencing the severe August 2023 floods.

Heat & Climate Watch: A Europe-wide early-season heat dome shattered records, with whole-number temperature highs and a rapid shift from below-average May to mid-July-like extremes. EU Clean Transition: The European Commission opened infringement steps against 20 states, including Slovenia, for delayed transposition of the “Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition” rules on green claims and sustainability labels. Clean Heat Funding: The EU selected industrial heat projects for the Innovation Fund Heat Auction, with Slovenia’s Lek Pharmaceuticals among recipients aiming to cut fossil gas use. Protected Farming Tech: Terra Oracle AI says it helps protected cultivation growers turn scattered soil, satellite, weather and irrigation data into actionable decisions. Water Safety in Slovenia: Hydrology service veteran Polajnar highlighted how flash floods—driven by extreme rainfall—require fast warnings and strong cooperation. Local Nature: Ljubljana Zoo welcomed a female Nubian giraffe, Pietruška, the first in 23 years. Waste-to-Energy Debate: A public discussion on new incinerators in Slovenia exposed a sharp split between waste-management supporters and health/environment opponents.

Energy transition for companies: Experts in Belgrade urged firms to “fix” energy efficiency first, then move toward new energy sources, as Serbia plans major state investment in power and grid upgrades. EU consumer rules: The European Commission opened infringement steps against 20 EU states, including Slovenia, for not fully transposing the Directive on Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition, aimed at cutting greenwashing and improving green-claims rules. Heat and decarbonised industry: The EU’s Innovation Fund Heat Auction selected projects across 10 countries, with Slovenia’s Lek Pharmaceuticals among them, to replace gas-based heat with clean technologies. Flood readiness in Slovenia: A hydrology service veteran highlighted how better forecasting and fast alerts are key after the extreme August 2023 floods. Local biodiversity: Ljubljana Zoo welcomed a female Nubian giraffe, Pietruška, the first in 23 years. Waste-to-energy debate: A public discussion on new incinerators in Slovenia exposed a sharp split between supporters and health/environment concerns. Politics with climate stakes: Slovenia’s new Janša government lineup is taking shape, while an anti-graft watchdog halted proceedings against former Environment Minister Andrej Vizjak. Media ownership shift: Alpac Capital’s acquisition plans for Balkan outlets via Adria News Network raise fresh press-freedom concerns.

Climate & Water Safety: Slovenia’s hydrology service chief Polajnar received a top civil-servant award for flood forecasting work, highlighting how extreme rainfall and fast flash floods (like August 2023) demand timely alerts and strong cooperation. Waste & Health Debate: A public debate on planned waste-to-energy plants exposed a sharp split between supporters focused on waste management and opponents warning about health and environmental risks. Biodiversity in Focus: Ljubljana Zoo welcomed a female Nubian giraffe, Pietruška, the first in 23 years, after a long trip from Warsaw Zoo. EU Rules for the Green Transition: The European Commission opened infringement steps against 20 EU states, including Slovenia, for delayed transposition of rules meant to curb greenwashing and improve sustainability labels. Clean Heat Funding: The EU selected industrial clean-heat projects for support under the Innovation Fund Heat Auction, including Slovenia’s Lek Pharmaceuticals site, aiming to cut fossil gas use. Energy & Local Action: A Slovenia-backed EU project will help set up energy communities in Moldova, targeting SMEs with vouchers to build local energy cooperation. Weather: Saturday is forecast sunny and hot, with temperatures up to 31°C. Local Tech & Sustainability: Slovenian tracker maker Chipolo partnered with Mercedes-Benz on a rechargeable car key finder made with post-consumer recycled plastic. Governance Watch: The anti-graft watchdog halted proceedings against former environment minister Andrej Vizjak over a Climate Change Fund-linked hydro power case.

EU Consumer Green Claims Crackdown: The European Commission has launched infringement procedures against 20 EU states, including Slovenia, for failing to fully transpose the Directive on Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition, aimed at boosting trust in green claims and tackling greenwashing. Clean Heat Push: The EU’s first Heat Auction selected 65 industrial projects, with Slovenia’s Lek Pharmaceuticals among them, to cut fossil-fuel heat use and decarbonise hard-to-abate industry. Local Nature & Biodiversity: Ljubljana Zoo welcomed Pietruška, a female Nubian giraffe, the first in 23 years, adding to the zoo’s conservation and public education role. Circular Food Tech in Packaging: PerfoTec and Green Factory partnered to roll out laser perforation MAP technology across 14 Central and Eastern European markets, targeting longer freshness and less food waste. Slovenia’s Research Funding Plan: The government adopted the Alliance for Research and Innovation 2026–2028, setting a stable multi-year system with public funding up to 1.25% of GDP.

EU Enforcement: The European Commission has launched infringement procedures against 20 Member States, including Slovenia, for missing deadlines to fully transpose the Directive on Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition, aimed at tackling greenwashing and improving reliability of green claims and sustainability labels. Clean Heat Push: The EU’s first Heat Auction under the Innovation Fund has selected 65 industrial projects, with Slovenia’s Lek Pharmaceuticals among them, targeting decarbonised industrial heat and cutting reliance on natural gas. Local Waste Debate: In Ljubljana, a public debate exposed a split over planned waste-to-energy incinerators, with supporters citing waste management needs and opponents warning of health and environmental risks. Biodiversity in the Capital: Ljubljana Zoo welcomed Pietruška, a female Nubian giraffe, the first in 23 years, adding to local conservation and public awareness. Mobility & EVs: New analysis shows electric and hybrid cars are growing globally, but still lag in some markets; in Europe, fleet electrification is increasingly driven by taxation and regulation. Energy Grid Permits: EU talks are also heating up over proposals for “silent approval” of energy grid permits if authorities miss deadlines, raising concerns about shifting power from national regulators.

EU Clean Heat Push: The European Commission has selected 65 projects for its first Innovation Fund Heat Auction, backing industrial heat decarbonisation across 10 countries, including Slovenia’s Lek Pharmaceuticals site in Mengeš, with €400m aimed at cutting fossil gas use and delivering 16.3 TWh of clean heat over five years. EU Grid Permits Clash: EU plans for “silent approval” of steps in energy grid permitting are sparking concern that Brussels could override national authorities, raising fresh political friction as the grids package moves forward. Slovenia Waste-to-Energy Debate: A public debate on planned incinerators in Slovenia highlighted a sharp split between supporters who see them as necessary for waste management and opponents warning about health and environmental risks. Local Circular Economy Setback: A Slovenian battery recycling project in Hungary has fallen through, underlining how hard it can be to turn EV recycling plans into real operations. Biodiversity & Pollinators: A1 Slovenia handed out plants to support bee populations, adding a small but practical boost for local biodiversity efforts. Heat & Weather Watch: Forecasts point to a sunny start with afternoon showers and thunderstorms inland, plus a slight cooldown later.

Waste-to-energy debate in Slovenia: A public debate in Ljubljana laid bare a sharp split over planned waste-to-energy plants, with supporters calling them vital for waste management and opponents warning about health and environmental risks. Clean industrial heat funding: The EU selected 65 industrial heat projects for its first Heat Auction, including Slovenia’s Lek Pharmaceuticals site in Mengeš, with €400 million aimed at cutting fossil gas use and decarbonising hard-to-abate heat. EU grid permits “silent approval” row: EU plans for tacit approval of parts of energy grid permit procedures are stirring concern in member states, with critics fearing power is being shifted from national authorities to Brussels. Ljubljana pharmacy expansion: The Ljubljana Faculty of Pharmacy broke ground on a new €100 million Brdo Campus building, targeting 2,000 students and modern labs by 2030. Nature and health concerns: Slovenian institutions are questioning the drafting of the 2025 dietary guidelines, while separate research links loneliness in older adults to weaker memory (without faster decline). Wildlife shift: New research suggests human-driven changes that reduce grey wolves may help golden jackals expand across Europe. Weather: Expect mostly clear conditions early, then scattered showers and thunderstorms inland, with a slight cool-down later.

EU Grid Permits Under Fire: The Commission’s push for “silent approval” of energy grid permits is sparking alarm in EU capitals, with concerns that Brussels could quietly shift power away from national authorities. Clean Heat Push: The EU backed 65 industrial heat decarbonisation projects with €400m, aiming to cut 6.6m tonnes of CO2 over a decade—Slovenia is among the funded countries. Local Mobility Upgrade (Slovenia): Velenje is rolling out a Smart Velenje mobility digital platform to integrate bike sharing, on-demand transport, and parking with sensors and traffic monitoring. Energy Communities in Moldova: A new EU-funded programme will support three pilot energy communities in Moldova with vouchers up to €20,000, targeting SMEs in agri-food and retail. Travel Shift from Heat: As summer temperatures climb, travel lists are steering people toward cooler, budget-friendly European spots—Tallinn tops the “sun per cost” idea. Croatia Costs Rising: Reports say Croatian summer parking prices are climbing fast, adding pressure to already stretched coastal budgets.

Industrial Heat Push: The EU just backed 65 projects with €400 million to decarbonise industrial heat, aiming to cut 6.6 million tonnes of CO₂ over the next decade and deliver 16.3 TWh of cleaner heat in the first five years. Nuclear vs. AI Power Rules: Ten EU countries, including Slovenia, are challenging draft data-centre sustainability rules, arguing nuclear should count as “clean” alongside renewables as the Commission prepares a new label for June 3. Border Security: Slovenia is keeping temporary border checks with Croatia and Hungary in place until 21 December, citing ongoing regional instability and security risks. Local Tech & Lifestyle: Chipolo and Mercedes-Benz launched an EU-made premium key tracker built with recycled plastic, while travel coverage highlights shifting summer rules and heat-driven destination choices. Weather Watch: Forecasts point to a mostly clear start with afternoon showers and thunderstorms, then a slight cooldown from the north.