OECD Environmental Performance Review of the Slovak Republic 2023 - Review process

ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE REVIEW OF THE SLOVAK REPUBLIC 2024

ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE REVIEWS Since 1993, the OECD has conducted more than 100 Environmental Performance Reviews (EPRs).

Nearly all OECD countries have been reviewed three times. The Slovak Republic conducted two EPRs in 2011 and 2002.

PEER PRESSURE Encourage performance improvement and policy reforms through benchmarking and cross-country comparison.

GREATER ACCOUNTABILITY Spark national debate on environmental goals and how to best achieve them.

POLICY DIALOGUE Encourage peer learning through the exchange of best practices.

The EPRs encourage gradual convergence towards the best performing countries.

PEER REVIEWS Peer reviews, where each country’s policy is examined by fellow members on an equal basis, have been used at the OECD for more than 50 years. Peer reviews are conducted in the environmental and other policy areas including economic policy, energy and development co-operation

The OECD promotes a whole-of-government approach drawing on a broad range of expertise.

THE SLOVAK REPUBLIC’S REVIEW The 2024 Environmental Performance Review of the Slovak Republic assesses the country’s progress towards sustainable development and green growth, with a focus on biodiversity and forests in the context of climate change. It evaluates Slovakia’s track-record against its national and international environmental objectives.

ANALYSIS Provide an independent, facts-based analysis of Slovakia’s environmental performance

BENCHMARKING Provide cross-country comparisons. How does the Slovak Republic perform compared to other OECD countries?

BEST PRACTICES & LESSONS LEARNT Identify success stories, good practices and challenges. How could good practices be scaled up?

What lessons can be learned from other countries or regions?

The review provides targeted policy recommendations.

KEY ANALYTICAL QUESTIONS

OBJECTIVES

ACTIONS

IMPROVEMENT

RESULTS

Have they been clearly defined? Are they based on an analysis of costs and benefits? Are they measurable?

What has been done to reach the objectives?

Was it the most efficient and effective way to get there?

What are the plans to achieve the objectives?

What actions are planned to correct the trajectory?

Do results match objectives? What are the drivers of success?

What obstacles should be overcome?

Within the context of the Slovak Republic’s historical environmental record, natural resource endowment, economic and social conditions and in comparison with other countries.

CONTENT ASSESSMENT & RECOMMENDATIONS Main findings and policy recommendations of the review This section is approved by consensus with OECD countries

CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER 2

Towards green, inclusive growth

Biodiversity and forests in the context of climate change

The first chapter is streamlined across all reports. It includes a summary of key trends and an assessment of the environmental effectiveness and economic efficiency of the policy mix, including fiscal and economic instruments, regulatory and voluntary instruments.

The topic was selected by Slovakia in consultation with the OECD Secretariat.

The chapter assesses progress in meeting the country’s biodiversity-related objectives and in mainstreaming biodiversity considerations into other policy areas, in particular forestry and climate change policies

ACTIONS TAKEN TO IMPLEMENT SELECTED RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE 2011 REVIEW

Flexible content responding to specific needs Tailored and targeted policy recommendations Access to data

ENVIRONMENTAL TRENDS

Climate change

Waste & materials

Air quality Freshwater resources

Biodiversity

Oceans

The review provides an overview of key environmental trends and of Slovakia’s progress towards achieving its main environmental targets.

It is complemented by a Country profile featuring selected OECD Environmental indicators.

Consult the Environment at a Glance: Country profiles

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT POLICY MIX & COHERENCE

How does Slovakia mobilise investment for a green, low-carbon and circular economy?

How green is the Slovak Republic’s tax system? Are there subsidies and incentives that are harmful to the environment?

How well do businesses comply with environmental regulations?

Are objectives clearly defined?

How does the Slovak Republic measure progress in aligned policymaking?

Which are the trade-offs and synergies between environmental, economic and social goals and policies?

How green and inclusive is the Slovak Republic’s recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic?

The review identifies opportunities for improving policy implementation, effectiveness and coherence.

BIODIVERSITY AND FORESTS IN THE CONTEXT OF CLIMATE CHANGE This thematic chapter assesses Slovakia’s policy and progress towards the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. It reviews the effectiveness and efficiency of measures to reach biodiversity-related targets and the coherence across biodiversity, forestry and climate change policies.

Is the country on track to achieve its biodiversity-related targets?

What are the main pressures on biodiversity?

Are the institutional and strategic frameworks for biodiversity policy sound and coherent?

What are the policies and measures to promote the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity?

How effective and efficient are they?

How well are biodiversity considerations mainstreamed across forestry, agriculture and other sectors?

What are the synergies and trade-offs between biodiversity and climate mitigation and adaptation policies?

How can Slovakia enhance its biodiversity policy?

The review provides targeted advice and good practices for improving current and future biodiversity policies.

TIMELINE EPR review mission In Bratislava

Policy mission to discuss main findings and recommendations at high level Meeting with OECD countries to discuss the review

Preparatory phase: information collection

LAUNCH

Q4

13-16 June

3 Oct

24 Jan

2022

2023

2023

2024

Mar/Apr 2024

REVIEW MISSION 13-16 June 2023 in Bratislava The OECD review team will meet with government and non-government stakeholders for an open dialogue and discussion on the Slovak Republic’s environmental performance in the last decade. This will complement collected information and provide the basis for the drafting of the review.

What has worked well and why? What has not worked so well and why? What are priority areas for improvement?

What lessons can be learned for the future?

What do the national and local governments, businesses and civil society need to do to improve the Slovak Republic’s environmental performance?

The review mission will gather examples of success stories, best practices, challenges and identify potential recommendations.

KEY STAKEHOLDERS

Departments and agencies in charge of environmental policymaking and implementation

Central government

Regional government Other departments and agencies Local government Business organisations

Trade unions

Environmental NGOs

Independent experts

The review draws on a large variety of information sources and diversity of viewpoints.

OECD REVIEW TEAM OECD Secretariat

Czech Republic

Nathalie Girouard Head of Division, ENV/EPI Strategic Oversight Frédérique Zegel Administrator/Policy Analyst EPR Co-ordinator Edward Perry Policy Analyst Biodiversity and forests in the context of climate change Carla Bertuzzi Statistician Lydia Servant Assistant CONTACTS frederique.zegel@oecd.org

Estonia

lydia.servant@oecd.org