Amsterdam bans creation of new hotels
Another piece in the overall strategy to reduce tourist flows to the city
The deadline, however, is seen as disappointing by European civil activists
Slovenian government announced yesterday, 13 January, that it plans to phase out the use of coal in the country by the year 2033. This, however, was met with criticism and disapproval by the non-profit organization Europe Beyond Coal, whose activities are entirely focused on campaigning European countries to disengage from fossil fuels.
The civil activists argue that the official plan lacks ambitions, especially when compared to the phasing-out plans of similar-sized countries in Eastern Europe, such as Greece (2025), Slovakia (2030) and North Macedonia (2027).
“Today’s announcement makes Slovenia the 23rd European country to announce a coal exit. It falls short of the 16 that have either already quit coal or will do so by 2030, but as we have seen with the likes of Germany which is now targeting a fossil-free, completely renewables-based power system by 2035, this will easily be superseded by reality,” said Zala Primc, who is a Campaigner at Europe Beyond Coal.
She went on to explain that currently only 2% of the country’s energy needs are met through renewable sources, which makes Slovenia hostage to the volatility of the fossil fuel markets, such as the price hikes experienced this winter.
Slovenia’s largest coal plant Šoštanj’s Unit 6 (600MW) was controversially put into operation in 2015 – the same year the world agreed to the UN Paris climate agreement – and was immediately at risk of becoming a stranded asset.
The plant has subsequently amassed 438 million euros in debts and registered 280 million euros in losses last year alone, proving it to be a bad investment. Document leaks have also shown that it is on the verge of bankruptcy.
Dr. Tomislav Tkalec, Energy expert at Focus Association for Sustainable Development commented that “Šoštanj 6 is up to its neck in debt. The government needs to come clean with coal workers and their communities about the plant’s rapidly approaching closure, and admit to them that Slovenia will not be exiting coal in 2033, but this decade, so that they can plan for the transition of their economies.”
The Šoštanj Power Plant is located near the country’s only active lignite mine, near Velenje, in the north-central region of Slovenia.
Legislators and magnates have to await a preliminary ruling from the European Court of Justice
The building will then serve as the site for a new museum dedicated to Finnish-Russian relations
Another piece in the overall strategy to reduce tourist flows to the city
In addition, the federal government has launched the National Week of Action against Bicycle Theft to raise awareness of the issue and the new solution
The facility will replace the need to have water supplied by tankers from Valencia
Modern traffic lights do more than regulate the flow of vehicles at crossroads, they also collect enormous amounts of data
Experimenting with public transport provision in Germany is clearly in a state of creative fervour
Legislators and magnates have to await a preliminary ruling from the European Court of Justice
It also set the standards for a better European parking card for people with disabilities
The benefit will last until the Dutch parliament adopts the transgender law
Experimenting with public transport provision in Germany is clearly in a state of creative fervour
It also set the standards for a better European parking card for people with disabilities
Urban dwellers across the EU are having a say in making their surroundings friendlier to people and the environment.
Forests in the EU can help green the European construction industry and bolster a continent-wide push for architectural improvements.
Apply by 10 November and do your part for the transformation of European public spaces
Catch up with some recommendations for the 2024 European Capital of Culture programme from the mayor of Tartu
An interview with the ICLEI regional director for Europe аfter the close of COP28
An interview with a member of the No Hate Speech Network team