AGP Executive Report

Wildfire Crisis in France: A “megafire” on the edge of Bordeaux has burned about 42,000 hectares, with around 220,000 people evacuated; crews say they’re still not in control as the fire keeps progressing despite brief relief from rain and calmer winds. Climate Pressure in Europe: A new World Weather Attribution assessment says extreme heat is the main driver worsening drought, drying soils and boosting wildfire and water-shortage risks across Europe, with heat arriving earlier and lasting longer. Slovenia Tourism Boom: Slovenia hit record-breaking June tourism, topping two million overnight stays for the first time in that month, with Ljubljana, Bled and Piran leading demand. Direct Democracy Watch: Slovenia’s coalition is proposing four referendums on 11 October, combining three consultative votes with a binding referendum on changes to the Parliamentary Inquiry Act. Biodiversity & Protection: The Okefenokee Swamp in Georgia became a UNESCO World Heritage site, highlighting how long-running conservation advocacy can secure major habitat protection. Extreme Weather Disrupts Sport: A Europa Conference League qualifier in Slovenia was suspended after lightning and torrential rain made the pitch unsafe.

Extreme Heat & Drought: A new World Weather Attribution assessment says Europe’s worsening drought is driven mainly by extreme heat, which dries soils, depletes water reserves and boosts wildfire risk. Wildfire & Storm Impacts: Europe’s erratic weather continues to disrupt life and sport, with a Conference League match in Slovenia suspended after lightning and torrential rain made the pitch unsafe. Slovenia Direct Democracy: Slovenia could hold four referendums on 11 October, combining three consultative votes with a binding referendum on amendments to the Parliamentary Inquiry Act—an issue civil society says may weaken judicial safeguards. Tourism Pressure: Slovenia logged record June tourism, topping two million overnight stays for the first time, with Ljubljana, Piran and Bled leading demand. EU Climate Policy for Buildings: The EU has launched infringement steps over slow transposition of the Green Homes/EPBD rules; Slovenia is among the faster movers in making buildings more energy efficient. Gene Editing Rules: Environmental groups urge the Slovenian government to challenge EU gene-editing rules that they say could weaken protections. Recycling Tech: STADLER’s waste-sorting shift toward connected, software-driven operations highlights how “smart” recycling is becoming a competitive edge.

Solar Power Safety: A fire in England’s Malton Hospital ward is being linked to rooftop solar panels, following several similar school incidents; the case renews debate on how to reduce fire risk as solar expands across the EU. Extreme Weather Watch: Severe Weather Europe warns of a major thunderstorm outbreak across north-central Italy and parts of the Adriatic, with hail, damaging winds, tornado risk and flash-flood potential. Climate & Water Stress: A World Weather Attribution study says extreme heat is the key driver worsening drought across Europe by drying soils, boosting evaporation and raising wildfire risk. Local Environment Policy: Slovenia’s government adopted a change to the Spatial Planning Act that extends deadlines for municipal spatial plan components, aiming to avoid delays that could hit social, environmental and economic outcomes. Biodiversity & Land Use: A new mapping study in Mexico highlights a long-hidden Maya city, adding to global knowledge of ancient landscapes and storm-related rule. Tourism Pressure: Slovenia reported record June tourism, with over two million overnight stays, underscoring the need to balance growth with environmental carrying capacity.

Severe Weather Watch: A major storm setup is forecast for Sunday across north-central Italy and the Adriatic, with widespread thunderstorms, large to giant hail, damaging winds, possible tornadoes, and flash-flood risk. Climate Impact: A new World Weather Attribution assessment links Europe’s worsening drought to extreme heat that dries soils, depletes water reserves, and raises wildfire danger. Local Tourism Pressure: Slovenia logged record June tourism, topping two million overnight stays for the first time, with Ljubljana, Piran and Bled leading—good news for the sector, but a reminder of heat and capacity pressures. EU Gene Editing Fight: Environmental groups urge Hungary to defend its GMO-free status and challenge EU gene-editing rules that could weaken labeling and traceability. Waste Tech in Focus: STADLER’s connected waste-sorting platform is expanding across 40+ plants, using shared operational data to improve sorting performance. On-the-ground Disruption: A Conference League qualifier in Slovenia was suspended after lightning and torrential rain made the pitch unsafe. Policy Update: The Slovenian government extended deadlines tied to spatial planning rules, aiming to prevent building-permit standstills that could hit communities and the environment.

Extreme Heat & Drought: A new World Weather Attribution assessment says Europe’s worsening drought is driven mainly by extreme heat, which dries soils, accelerates water loss and boosts wildfire risk. Wildfire-Weather Disruptions: A Conference League qualifier in Slovenia was suspended after lightning and torrential rain made the pitch unsafe, with play resuming once conditions improved. Tourism Pressure: Slovenia logged record-breaking June tourism, with over two million overnight stays and nearly 3 million visitors in the first half of the year—Alpine destinations led the growth. Climate Policy & Buildings: The EU has launched infringement steps over slow rollout of the Green Homes/EPBD rules, while Slovenia is among the faster movers in improving building energy performance. Biodiversity & Water: A study using mapping techniques has revealed a long-hidden Maya city in Mexico’s Balam Kú Biosphere Reserve, adding to knowledge of ancient landscapes and storm-related rulership. Gene Editing Rules: Environmental groups urge governments to challenge EU gene-editing deregulation, warning it could weaken GMO risk checks and labeling. Waste Tech: STADLER is expanding “connected” waste-sorting plants using a cloud platform that learns across facilities.

Extreme Heat & Drought: A new World Weather Attribution assessment says Europe’s worsening drought is driven mainly by extreme heat, which dries soils, accelerates water loss and raises wildfire risk. EU Climate Policy: The EU has launched infringement steps against member states for not fully transposing the Green Homes energy-efficiency rules, with Slovenia among the faster improvers. Biodiversity & Water: A study links heat to Europe’s worsening drought and wildfire conditions, echoing the broader pattern of erratic weather across the region. Gene Editing Rules: Environmental groups in Hungary urge the government to challenge EU gene-editing deregulation at the Court of Justice, warning it could weaken GMO risk assessment and labeling. Local Environment Planning: Slovenia’s government adopted a Spatial Planning Act amendment extending deadlines for municipal spatial plan components, aiming to avoid permitting gaps with social, environmental and economic fallout. Waste Tech: STADLER is expanding connected waste-sorting operations via a cloud platform that learns across plants, including a Slovenia-based team. Air & Travel Impacts: Wizz Air says Zagreb and Ljubljana bases aren’t viable yet, a reminder that connectivity decisions shape emissions and travel patterns. Nature in the Spotlight: New mapping reveals a long-hidden Maya city in Mexico, highlighting how modern mapping can uncover landscapes long obscured by forest cover.

Extreme Heat & Drought: A new World Weather Attribution assessment says Europe’s worsening drought is driven mainly by extreme heat, which dries soils, depletes water reserves and boosts wildfire risk. Wildfires in Europe: Spain and France remain on high alert as heat fuels major blazes, including a fast-spreading fire in France that forced evacuations. EU Climate Policy: Eurostat reports EU environmental tax revenue rose 6.1% in 2024, but its share of GDP fell compared with a decade earlier—highlighting uneven progress on pricing pollution. Buildings Energy Efficiency: The EU has launched infringement steps over slow transposition of the Green Homes Directive, while data show Slovenia is among the faster improvers in making buildings more energy efficient. Local Climate Impacts in Sports: The Tour de France is being reshaped by record heat, with stages cut and riders warning that conditions are becoming dangerous. Slovenia in the Mix: Slovenia is also cited in EU library and culture coverage, including a note that it has increased its number of libraries since 2012—supporting community resilience beyond the climate beat.

Extreme Weather Disrupts Sports: A Europa Conference League qualifier in Slovenia was suspended after lightning and torrential rain made the pitch unsafe, with teams retreating to the tunnel and play resuming once conditions improved. Heat, Wildfires, and Climate Pressure: Europe’s erratic weather stayed in focus as France and Spain battled wildfires and record heat, while the Tour de France faced heat-driven stage changes and riders warned about dangerous conditions. EU Climate Policy on Buildings: The EU launched infringement steps against member states for missing the Green Homes Directive deadline, while new data shows Slovenia is among the faster movers in making buildings more energy efficient. Waste Tech in the Spotlight: STADLER’s connected waste-sorting platform is expanding across plants, using anonymised operational data to improve sorting performance—an industrial push with clear sustainability implications. Environmental Taxes Trend: Eurostat reports EU environmental tax revenue rose in 2024, but its share of GDP and total tax take continues to slip versus a decade ago. Green Wine Protection: The EU granted Protected Designation of Origin status to “Mura / Murai” wines, adding another biodiversity-and-landscape-linked product to its PDO register.

Extreme Heat & Wildfires: Spain’s biggest wildfire of the year kept spreading as temperatures topped 40°C, while two firefighters died in southwestern France; across Europe, drought and volatile weather also raise the risk of severe hail. Tour de France Climate Stress Test: The race is being reshaped by record heat, with stages cut and teams forced to change hydration and recovery as scientists link the July heat to climate change. Green Homes Enforcement: The EU has launched infringement steps against member states for not fully transposing the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, with Slovenia among the faster improvers (about a third of buildings more efficient than in 2018). Environmental Taxes: Eurostat reports EU environmental tax revenue rose 6.1% in 2024, but its share of GDP fell compared with a decade earlier. Slovenia in the Spotlight: Slovenia’s energy and research push continues, with a prime minister visit to the Jožef Stefan Institute focusing on energy, AI, resilience and critical materials. Low-Carbon Industry: Alpacem Cement says it’s investing €30m in its Anhovo plant to meet stricter EU environmental standards, even as revenue dipped.

Extreme Heat & Wildfires: Spain’s biggest wildfire of the year and deadly blazes in southwestern France underline how Europe’s heatwave-driven drought is turning fire seasons more dangerous, with evacuations and fatalities reported amid temperatures above 40°C. Tour de France Climate Stress Test: The race is being forced to cut stages and adjust routines as record-breaking heat hits riders like Tadej Pogačar, while scientists say climate change makes such heat far more likely. EU Environmental Taxes: Eurostat reports EU environmental tax revenue rose 6.1% in 2024, but its share of GDP fell versus a decade ago—Slovenia remains among the higher contributors. Low-Carbon Industry Move: Alpacem Cement says it will invest €30m at its Anhovo plant to meet stricter EU environmental standards, even as revenue dipped. Electric Aviation: Pipistrel’s certified electric trainer highlights quieter, lower-emissions flight as sustainable flying takes center stage at major air shows. Biodiversity & Food Culture: Mura Region wines gained EU PDO status, tying protected varieties to local climate and the Mura river landscape.

Wildfires & extreme heat across Europe: Firefighters struggled to contain Spain’s biggest wildfire of the year and two firefighters were killed in southwestern France as a heatwave keeps drought conditions and raises the risk of severe hailstorms. In Spain’s Guadalajara province, an uncontrolled blaze forced the evacuation of more than 1,200 people, while temperatures above 40°C pushed fire danger to extreme levels. Slovenia’s climate-linked resilience angle: The same coverage underlines that Europe is the world’s fastest-warming continent, with human-driven climate change intensifying heatwaves, droughts, and wildfires—conditions that also set up sudden, destructive storms. Local environment & tourism habits: A kayaking guide for Slovenia’s lakes (Bled/Bohinj) stresses practical steps like checking rapidly changing mountain weather and, importantly, avoiding litter to keep nature-based tourism responsible. Industry & environment standards: Alpacem Cement reported lower 2025 revenue but higher profit, and said it will invest €30m in its Anhovo plant to meet stricter EU environmental standards. Transport & infrastructure note: A report on subsea cables highlights that most global internet traffic still runs through fiber-optic lines rather than satellites—relevant for understanding the environmental footprint of digital infrastructure.

Extreme Weather Watch: Spain’s biggest wildfire of the year kept burning while firefighters struggled to control flames, and two firefighters were killed in southwestern France as Europe stays in a heat-driven danger cycle with drought and volatile storms. Climate Pressure on Food: A separate report warns that extreme heat is pushing farming systems “to the brink,” with global warming driving dangerous thresholds that hit crops and livelihoods. Cross-border Nuclear Governance: Bosnia and Herzegovina is set to join Croatia’s cross-border environmental impact assessment for a planned radioactive waste storage site on Trgovska Gora, seeking access to full documentation and a chance to comment—amid concerns the location decision may have moved ahead of the assessment. Local Science & Energy: Prime Minister Janez Janša visited the Jožef Stefan Institute, highlighting future work on energy, AI, societal resilience and critical materials, plus plans for a new research reactor. Travel & Air Quality Angle: Europe’s new biometric entry-exit system is causing long queues at some borders, while wildfire smoke has been linked to dangerously high pollution episodes in North American cities. Policy Trend: Disposable vape bans are spreading across Europe, with Slovenia among countries debating similar rules.

Extreme Heat and Farming: A new warning says extreme heat is pushing global food and farming systems to the brink, with heat stress already showing up in crop yields and leaving farmers with little room to “move on” when conditions turn. Climate Reality Check: A commentary points to record CO2 levels and argues the Paris climate goals are effectively failing—raising the stakes for Slovenia’s heat and resilience planning. Slovenian Science Push: Prime Minister Janez Janša visited the Jožef Stefan Institute, stressing research and innovation for energy, AI, critical materials and societal resilience, and briefing plans for a new research reactor. Border Friction for Summer Travel: Europe’s entry-exit system (EES) is causing long queues at some borders, while several non-Schengen destinations avoid the biometric rollout. Disposable Vape Bans Spread: More European countries are debating or adopting bans on single-use vapes, driven by youth use concerns and the waste from batteries and plastics. Cross-Border Radioactive Waste: Bosnia and Herzegovina plans to join an Espoo-style review for a low- and medium-level waste site on Trgovska Gora, after Croatia’s location decision.

Radioactive Waste Dispute: Bosnia and Herzegovina is set to join a cross-border environmental impact assessment for Croatia’s planned low- and medium-level radioactive waste storage on Trgovska Gora, seeking access to full documentation and a chance to comment—after expert research in BiH says the site is unsuitable and legal experts warn Croatia chose the location before the assessment was finished. Heat Relief in Central Europe: A cold shift is easing extreme heat across Hungary, Poland, Romania and the Balkans, with temperatures dropping below 30 and scattered thunderstorms offering some drought relief, though wildfire risk may remain high. Disposable Vapes Crackdown: More European countries are moving toward bans on disposable e-cigarettes, driven by youth use concerns and the single-use battery/plastic waste problem—Slovenia is among those debating similar rules. Energy Costs Snapshot: A new ranking shows European households paying the highest energy bills, with Sweden leading—useful context for Slovenia as summer demand and prices keep households under pressure. Border Travel Friction: The EU’s Entry-Exit System (EES) is causing long queues at some Schengen borders due to rollout teething issues, adding friction to summer travel plans. Wildfire Smoke Warning: Canadian wildfire smoke is again blamed for dangerously high pollution levels in US cities, underscoring how quickly air quality can deteriorate across borders.

Disposable vapes crackdown: Only three EU countries have banned disposable vapes so far, but momentum is building fast. Belgium, France and Bulgaria (plus the UK) have nationwide bans, while Austria and Ireland are expected to follow and Germany, Poland, Spain, Slovakia, Latvia and Slovenia are debating similar rules. The push is driven by youth-use concerns and the environmental hit from single-use devices with batteries and plastics. Cross-border nuclear waste dispute: Bosnia and Herzegovina is set to join a cross-border environmental impact assessment for a planned radioactive waste disposal center on Trgovska Gora in Croatia, with BiH saying it can access full documentation and comment—while experts in the Federation of BiH argue the site is unsuitable and legal experts warn Croatia acted before the assessment was completed. Wildfire smog risk: Heavy smoke from Canadian wildfires has worsened air quality across parts of the US East Coast, including the World Cup final match area in New Jersey, raising health concerns for players and spectators. Emergency travel tool: Slovenia launched the eLastovka web and mobile app to improve consular protection abroad, sending crisis alerts for natural disasters, security incidents and other emergencies while letting users check travel risk and find local contacts.

Cross-border Nuclear Governance: Bosnia and Herzegovina has formally asked to join the cross-border environmental impact assessment process for a planned radioactive waste disposal center on Trgovska Gora, seeking access to full documentation and a chance to comment—while experts in the BiH Federation warn the site is unsuitable and legal experts question Croatia’s decision timing before the assessment was completed. Wildfire Smog Health Risk: Heavy smoke from Canadian wildfires has pushed air quality down in the New York/New Jersey match area ahead of the World Cup final, with officials reportedly discussing potential health threats to players, staff and spectators. Heat and Climate Pressure on Sports: The Tour de France continues amid extreme summer temperatures, as riders and organizers debate whether the calendar should shift away from July heat. Energy Costs Watch: A new ranking highlights how household energy bills vary sharply across Europe, with Sweden topping spending per person—useful context for Slovenia’s energy affordability debate. Digital Emergency Preparedness: Slovenia launched the eLastovka app to improve consular support abroad, including crisis alerts and emergency guidance for travellers.