Environmental Protection Act (ZVO-2)

The Environmental Protection Act (ZVO-2) is Slovenia’s core environmental framework law, establishing a modernised and comprehensive system for the protection of the environment and human health, aligned with EU legislation and circular economy principles. It sets out fundamental principles such as sustainable development, prevention, and the polluter pays principle, and regulates key instruments including environmental permits, emissions control, environmental impact assessment (EIA), strategic environmental assessment (SEA), and environmental monitoring. Compared to earlier legislation, ZVO-2 strengthens governance by introducing more integrated permitting procedures, clearer rules on environmental liability and remediation, and enhanced supervision and enforcement mechanisms. It also reinforces the use of economic instruments (e.g. environmental charges and the Climate Change Fund), improves public participation and access to justice, and provides a stronger basis for addressing climate change, resource efficiency, and pollution prevention. Overall, ZVO-2 serves as the central legal pillar for implementing environmental and climate policy in Slovenia.