Today, COP26 was dedicated to strengthening the global energy transition, which is essential if the rise in global temperature is to be limited to 1.5°C. The event brought together governments, companies, investors and organisations from around the world to prove that the transition to clean energy is both inevitable and approaching fast, that the coal phase-out is at hand and that people are at the heart of this transition.

Minister Vrtovec addressed the participants and emphasised that in 2015 the vision was agreed on, in 2018 science warned us that the scenario of a two-degree rise in temperature could lead to extensive and potentially catastrophic changes for the planet, and in 2021 it is high time for action. "The coal phase-out will be a major challenge for Slovenia, which we have accepted and in accordance with which we are looking for the best solutions for the economic restructuring of the Slovenian coal regions, with the aim of ensuring a fair transition for all. Our task is not to see into the future, but to make it possible," the Minister of Infrastructure highlighted.

Along with many other countries, Slovenia endorsed the Statement on Public Support for the Clean Energy Transition at COP26. The purpose of this statement is to make the broadest possible commitment at an international level to the transition to clean energy and away from fossil fuels, with the aim of ensuring that the world is on an ambitious, clearly defined path to climate neutrality, compatible with the 1.5°C goal, and in line with the long-term objectives of the Paris Agreement and on the basis of the best available scientific findings.

Slovenia also joined the Powering Past Coal Alliance initiative, which is the world's leading coalition of interested stakeholders who are working to accelerate clean growth and climate protection by rapidly phasing out coal use. The initiative emphasises that coal use should cease by 2030 at the latest in the member states of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the EU, and by 2050 at the latest in the remaining countries. Membership also enables those countries that (for the time being) cannot achieve this goal, but are striving to take the most ambitious measures possible.  Accordingly, Slovenia strives for an ambitious and fair coal phase-out that takes national specifics and circumstances into account.