Ministry of Natural Resources and Spatial Planning is preparing National Nature Restoration Plan

SLOVENIA, March 28 - The Ministry of Natural Resources and Spatial Planning is aware that the successful preparation and implementation of such a plan can only be achieved through the cooperation of relevant experts, in particular in the fields of agriculture, forestry, water, spatial planning and fisheries. In addition, in line with the Aarhus Convention, we will ensure a transparent process for the adoption of the National Nature Restoration Plan and involve other interested stakeholders in the preparation through events.

The EU Nature Restoration Regulation requires Member States to take action to restore at least 30% of terrestrial, coastal, freshwater and marine habitats that are currently not in good condition by 2030, at least 60% by 2040 and at least 90% by 2050.  We also need to take action to restore natural river connectivity, halt the decline of pollinator populations and restore agricultural, forest and urban green spaces.

By 2030, measures to restore habitat types should be implemented on approximately 14,000 to 15,850 hectares, or about 0.8% of the territory of the Republic of Slovenia. Habitat types in need of restoration measures are:

• riparian forests (2,520 to 3,750 hectares),
• mountain coniferous forests (540 hectares),
• bog woodland (60 to 120 hectares),
• grasslands and other grazing habitats (9,021 to 9,351 hectares),
• riparian meadows (1,140 hectares),
• rivers and lakes (1,220 hectares)
• and up to a maximum of 850 hectares of other habitat types.

Slovenia will identify concrete actions in the preparation of the National Nature Restoration Plan and identify priority areas for restoration by 2030, building on already adopted strategic national acts such as the National Environmental Protection Programme 2030 and the Natura 2000 Management Programme for the period 2023-2028 (PUN 2023-28).

An inter-ministerial consultative working group has been set up to ensure coherence and expert support in the development of the plan.

It involves all relevant ministries and institutions, including the Ministry of Natural Resources and Spatial Planning, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food, the Nature Conservation Institute of the Republic of Slovenia, the Water Directorate of the Republic of Slovenia, the Ministry of Environment, Climate and Energy, and the Slovenian Forest Service.

Other stakeholders will also be involved according to a pre-defined timeline, and consultations with the wider general and professional public and NGOs will be organised.