Slovenia - green and on the path of sustainability

Slovenia is primarily characterized by preserved nature, while its special diversity is provided by the juncture of diverse landscapes – European Alps, the Mediterranean and Pannonian Plain. This small area managed to preserve a balanced palette of natural and cultural values. Did you know that Slovenia has a special shade of green? That Slovenia is the third most forested country in Europe? That more than one third of its territory is protected within the framework of Natura 2000?


Green facts:

- Slovenia and its 65% of forest surfaces belongs to the top most forested European countries.
- With more than 22 thousand animal and plant species, Slovenia belongs to the most nature rich countries in Europe.
- Slovenia, with its surface area of only 20 thousand km2, has a total of 28 thousand kilometres of watercourses and more than 1300 lakes. According to the amount of river water per inhabitant, Slovenia is among the richest countries in Europe.
- Slovenia is also a sea country, whereby one fifth of its Adriatic coast is protected.

Preserving the wealth:

- Slovenia carefully preserves its natural richness, which is a feature of all Slovenian regions: the Alps in the North and North-West of Slovenia, Pohorje in the North-East, the Pannonian Plain in the East, the wine-growing hills and locations with thermal water in the South-East as well as the Karst and Adriatic coast in the South and South-West.
- More than one third of Slovenia is protected within the framework of the Natura 2000 project – a European network of special protected areas that were chosen by European Union members in order to preserve important biological diversity in Europe.
- The green, ecological, sustainable and responsible tourism being developed by Slovenia encompasses all aspects of sustainable development.

The good practices of this tourism comprise: European Destinations of Excellence (EDEN), the EU Eco Label, the Blue Flag, other green tags (such as Green Globe), and ecological tourist farms.

There are a growing number of accommodation providers in Slovenia who realise the importance of coexisting with nature. Their efforts to reduce negative impacts on the environment can be seen in the construction or renovation of accommodation facilities, which are as energy-efficient as possible: they properly manage drinking water and wastewater, they separate and recycle waste and use organic detergent for washing.

These accommodation facilities also offer, for instance, various ecological workshops and training courses. The shining examples of this kind of sustainably oriented tourism among Slovenian hotel operators are Terme Snovik, Laško Wellness Park (Thermana Laško), Park Hotel Bohinj, and among other facilities Urška Tourist Farm and Kamp Koren Kobarid.

Your role

When travelling around Slovenia, choose public transport and see the cities on foot or by bike. Cars produce four times as much carbon dioxide as a bus full of passengers. Trains are even more environment-friendly. Stay at an eco-hotel, where you can try local specialities made the natural way.

Back to news