Greenhouse gas emissions

UN Framework Convention on Climate Change(1992)

In Slovakia the Convention entered into force on March 21, 1994. The Slovak Republic accepted all the obligations of the Convention, and till now it has been ratified by 183 countries of the world including the EU.
 

Kyoto protocol to UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (1997)

SR adopted a reduction target not to exceed, in the period 2008-2012, the average level of greenhouse gas emissions of 1990 decreased by 8%. In spring 2007, the European Parliament adopted the unilateral commitment to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions in the EU by at least 20% by 2020, compared to 1990. Further a statement followed that the EU will extend this commitment to a 30% reduction, if it is accepted also by other developed countries of the world, and developing countries with more advanced economies will join them with the commitments adequate to their responsibilities and capabilities.

Amendment to the Kyoto Protocol (2012)

By this addendum it was decided on continuing the protocol, and the second term mandatory eight-year period was laid down (2013-2020). Reduction obligations of the EU and the member states for a second KP term are the same as adopted emission reduction targets by 2020, according to the climate and energy package, i.e. 20% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to 1990 level. A new gas - nitrogen trifluoride NF₃ will be added to monitored six greenhouse gases from the first period, which has a very high global warming potential, which implies the multiplication of radiation effect.

Paris Global Climate Convention (2016)
On 4 November 2016, the historically first universal convention on the climate change came into force – the Paris Convention. The Slovak Republic finished its domestic ratification process on 28 September 2016 with the signature of the President of the Republic, Mr Andrej Kiska. The European Union under leading of the Slovak presidency of the Council of the EU filed the ratification documents in the UN headquarters in New York on 5 October 2016, whereby the double quorum for ratification was achieved, and so the European Union became the initiator of the Paris Convention.
The target of the Paris Convention is to limit the growth of global temperature by the end of the century to maximally 2 °C and, if possible, considerably below this value, down to 1.5 °C.
The Paris Convention is ground-breaking in particular in three important factors:

• For the first time, it brings reduction obligations not only for developed countries, but also for all countries that are its contracting parties, while each country defines itself in what manner and in what sectors it will try to decrease greenhouse gas emissions.
• For the first time, the Paris Convention also deals more consistently with the adaptation and embodies the duty to prepare for consequences of the climate change, monitor and evaluate impacts and build resistance of ecosystems and social and economic systems.
• The duty to monitor emissions and inform of their quantity also applies to all countries, not only to developed ones.

Integrated Climate and Energy Package (2008)

It is crucial, complex and highly ambitious solution for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, for increasing energy efficiency, reducing the consumption of fossil fuels and the promotion of innovative, low-carbon technologies.

The Europe 2020 strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth (2010)

- by 2020, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 20% compared to 1990 levels, or by 30% under favourable conditions

- the increase of energy efficiency by 20% by 2020

- achieving 20% share of renewable sources in final energy consumption, including a 10% share of biofuels in petrol and diesel by 2020.

Strategy, Principles and Priorities of State Environmental Policy (1993)
A SECTOR - AIR AND OZONE LAYER PROTECTION
• Reducing emissions of basic air pollutants (SO₂, NOx, CO, CxHy, particulate emissions), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), persistent organic pollutants (POPs), heavy metals, CO₂ and other emissions causing greenhouse effect, to a level complying with international conventions.
• Avoid using fully halogenated hydrocarbons and halons, carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄), 1,1,1 - trichloroethane and brominated non- fully halogenated hydrocarbons, reducing the consumption of hydrocarbons and other non-fully halogenated hydrocarbons  and methyl bromide,  application, compliance and control of the production and use of ozone-layer depleting substances.
• Development and implementation of national programs aimed at reducing emissions of carbon dioxide and other gases causing the greenhouse effect increase, not covered by the Montreal Protocol on ozone-layer depleting substances, including minimization of coal combustion and its more rational recovery, as well as the use of gasoline-powered vehicles with three-way catalyst.
• The introduction of smog warning and control systems and a unified emergency system, preventing smog episodes.
• Completion of a comprehensive system of laws on protection of the atmosphere and the ozone layer, harmonized with EU law, which will not allow activities, above the extent permitted, threatening and damaging the environment by the air pollution, depletion of the ozone layer and climate change.
• Broader application of fuels and means of transport, non-polluting the environment (e.g. gas, electricity, unleaded gasoline).
• Completion of comprehensive monitoring and information system of the SR Environment - air.
 
National Strategy of the Slovak Republic Sustainable Development /SD/ (2001)
Strategic goals of SD which are necessary to be achieved within the heading to the long-term priorities are to:
• Reduce the environmental load of the environment
• Mitigate the effects of global climate change, depletion of the ozone layer and natural       disasters
• Improve the quality of the environment in the regions.
 
Policy Statement of the Slovak Republic Government for the period 2012-2016 (2012)
In order to reduce air pollutants, the government shall adopt ancillary instruments for reducing emissions from industry, energy and mobile sources and focus on the use of cars with low emissions.
 
Strategy of SR Adaptation to Adverse Effects of Climate Change (2014)
Strategy objectives of SR adaptation to the adverse effects of climate change:
• To provide objective information on the current state of the adaptation processes in the Slovak Republic;
•To describe its manifestations in the Slovak Republic based on available climate change scenarios;
• To analyse the expected impact of climate change on critical areas / sectors of economic activities;
• To propose appropriate set of proactive adaptation measures and mechanism for their implementation within the framework of sectoral policies, development strategies and action plans at all levels of the process;
• To identify practices in preventing and managing the risks, associated with extreme weather events, in order to minimize the related social and economic costs;
• To promote the development and application of methodologies, models and tools for better assessment of  investment risks, associated with the costs for damage and adaptation at the regional, local level, but also at the individual project level;
• Based on an inventory of the current state-to adopt recommendations for the development of information technology and building of knowledge base for more effective adaptation;
• To identify opportunities associated with the process of adaptation, and create conditions for their practical implementation;
• To propose criteria for selecting and evaluating the investment priorities within the adaptation measures;
• To suggest a system for monitoring, evaluation and review of adaptation measures with respect to the dynamics and uncertainty of future development scenarios of climate change;
• To enable effective interconnection of proactive adaptation measures for funding within the prepared Operational programs for the period 2014 - 2020 and within the new financial instrument LIFE;
• The final goal is to create a fundamental institutional and information infrastructure that would allow to the SR the efficient and cost-effective adaptation to the adverse effects of climate change by 2020.