Slovenia hosted a conference on the transition of Southeast Europe to a low-carbon society.

Celje – Slovenia hosted an international conference SEEnergy on the topic of energy transition of Southeast Europe to a low-carbon society at the Celje Fair from Wednesday to Friday. Part of the conference was also a ministerial meeting, where the Slovenian Minister of the Environment Bojan Kumer emphasized that the transition to green energy is necessary and inevitable.

Ambitious energy and climate policies are crucial for effective climate change mitigation, promoting economic growth, enhancing energy security and strategic independence, and maintaining a global leadership position in addressing one of the most pressing challenges of our time, according to Kumer. He reminded that EU Member States and contracting parties of the Energy Community must submit updated energy and climate plans (NECP) by the end of June.

According to him, great efforts will be required to fulfil the common commitment to become a climate-neutral continent by 2050, both individual and collective. These efforts primarily and foremost demand a transition from fossil fuels to clean energy, highlighted the minister.

He assessed that renewable energy sources, in particular, will be important for enhancing energy security and reducing dependency on imported fuels.

Representatives from 11 countries attended the ministerial meeting on Friday. The first panel discussed changes and trends in the updated national energy and climate plans, while the second focused on the decarbonization of Southeast Europe.

The Climate Council, which acts as a scientific advisory body to the Slovenian government in the formulation of climate policies, is expected to discuss a new version of the Slovenian NECP this month, which is also expected to undergo public review. (May 17)