Slovak ministry proposes climate law. Country to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050

The Slovak Ministry of the Environment has proposed the country’s first-ever climate law. It would enshrine in law the goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.

The Slovak Ministry of the Environment presented the draft law on Monday, as reported by Euractiv. In addition to carbon neutrality, the law also sets medium-term emissions reduction targets for the country as a whole, as well as for regions, cities and businesses. The Czech Republic does not yet have a similar law, although the need to adopt one has been discussed for a long time.

"This is our first climate law in history. For the first time, we will find out how to adapt our country to the challenges of the 21st century," said Environment Minister Ján Budaj, who presented the new law.

Among other things, the law includes procedural provisions, giving citizens the opportunity to bring climate lawsuits against the state if it fails to meet its obligations in pursuing climate targets. A similar lawsuit has already been successful in the Czech Republic. The law also establishes a Climate Council, which will have the power to oversee individual ministries’ implementation of climate plans and impose penalties on them if necessary.