Distr.
GENERAL
FCCC/NC/13
22 November 1995
Original: ENGLISH
In accordance with decision 9/2 of the Intergovernmental
Negotiating Committee of the Framework Convention on Climate Change
(INC/FCCC), the interim secretariat is to make available, in the
official languages of the United Nations, the executive summaries of
the national communications submitted by Annex I
Parties.
Note: Executive summaries of national communications issued
prior to the first session of the Conference of the Parties bear the
symbol A/AC.237/NC/___.
GE.95-
|
Air Protection Department Hlboka 12 812 35 Bratislava Fax No. (42 7) 311 368 |
This document has been reproduced without formal
editing.
INTRODUCTION
1. Climate Change, caused by increasing anthropogenic emission of
greenhouse gases (CO2, CH4, N2O,
CFCs, etc.,), represents the most serious environmental issue in the
history of mankind. The United Nations Framework Convention on
Climate Change (FCCC) is the first binding international legal
instrument to address this issue. The ultimate objective of this
Convention is to achieve stabilisation of greenhouse gas
concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent
dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system. Such a
level should be achieved within a timeframe sufficient to allow
ecosystems to adapt naturally to climate change, to ensure that food
production is not threatened and to enable economic development to
proceed in a sustainable manner.
2. The Convention entered into force for the Slovak Republic on 23
November 1994. The Slovak Republic accepted the particular
obligations resulting from the Convention, including the commitment
to take measures aimed at returning emissions of greenhouse gases to
the base year (1990) level by the year 2000. The Slovak Republic will
undertake all activities to achieve the "Toronto target" (20 per cent
CO2 emission reduction in 2005 compared to
1988).
3. The first national communication of Slovakia submitted contains
all current information concerning FCCC implementation process in
Slovakia. This Communication was elaborated according to the INC/FCCC
guidelines.
National circumstances
4. The Slovak Republic is an independent state since January 1,
1993 as a result of splitting the former Czech and Slovak Federal
Republic. The new Constitution of the Slovak Republic was adopted on
September 1, 1992. The President of the Slovak Republic is the head
of the State. The Parliament is the supreme organ of State power and
legislative authority. It has 150 deputies. The Government of the
Slovak Republic is directed by the Prime Minister and it has 15
ministers. The legislative process is a combined effort of
Ministries, Government and Parliament. The Slovak Ministry of the
Environment, district environmental offices and municipalities are
executive authorities concerning environment (Act 595/1990). Slovakia
is one of the Central European Countries undergoing the process of
transition from a central planned economy to a market economy.
Transformation of the whole economy together with disintegration of
the Common East European market have caused a deep depression of
industrial production and substantial decrease in the Slovak gross
domestic product (GDP).
5. Slovakia lies at the heart of Europe. The area of the country
is 49,036 km2, including agriculture land (24,471
km2), arable land (14,860 km2), forest land
(19,911 km2), water area (940 km2) and built-up
areas (1,275 km2). Slovakia is a mountainous country, 60
per cent of its territory is over 300 m a.s.l. Slovakia is in the
mild climate zone. The average annual precipitation for the whole
country of Slovakia is 743 mm, 65 per cent of this is evaporated and
35 per cent represents runoff. A temperature increase of about 1C and
precipitation decrease of about 10-15 per cent were observed during
the last 100 years.
6. The population of Slovakia has grown from 3 million inhabitants
in 1920 to 5.3 million in 1992. The highest natural population
increment (over 1.7 per cent) occurred in 1950, while in 1992 it was
0.4 per cent.
7. Slovakia is an industrial country. The industry and
construction share of GDP represented over 50 per cent in 1991. High
demand for energy and raw materials (production of iron, steel,
aluminium, cement, fertilisers, plastic materials, etc.) is the
characteristic feature of the Slovak economy. However, there is a
shortage of domestic sources of high-quality raw materials (excluding
non-ore material and magnesite).
8. Agriculture and forestry in Slovakia employed about 250,000
people in 1992, which is equivalent to 4.7 per cent of the
population. The per capita acreage of 0.46 hectares of farmland is
relatively small. During the first years of economic transformation
no significant changes in crop production were registered, but all
forms of animal production dropped significantly. The forest is one
of Slovakia's most important natural resources and is the basis for
the forest industry. In 1991, Slovak timber resources represented 352
million m3.
9. Slovakia, a typical inland country, is situated on the "roof"
of Europe. Therefore, its natural water resources are limited.
Average discharge of 405 m3.s-1 results from
runoff. During the last several decades a significant decrease of
Slovak rivers discharge has been observed. Several regions of
Slovakia exhibit a considerable soil moisture deficiency. More than
800,000 hectares of arable land need irrigation.
Inventory of greenhouse gas
emissions
10. The Slovak Republic's share of global anthropogenic greenhouse
gases emission is approximately 0.2 per cent. Annual per capita
CO2 emission cca 11 tonnes in 1990 is lower than the
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
countries average. Nevertheless it places Slovakia among the 15
States with the highest per capita emissions.
CO2 emissions
11. The primary sources of atmospheric CO2 in Slovakia
is fossil fuel combustion. Cement (lime) production is another
important source. Changes in land use and forestry generally act as a
sink for CO2. While the combustion of fossil fuels
accounts for about 94 per cent of total Slovak CO2
emissions, CO2 also results directly from industrial
processes. Table 1 shows the total CO2 emissions and
removals in Slovakia in 1988 and 1990.
12. Approximately 83 per cent of energy in the Slovak Republic is
produced through the combustion of fossil fuels. The remaining 17 per
cent comes from other energy sources such as nuclear energy,
hydropower or renewable sources.
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19881990 |
|
|
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Total emissions 61 484 58 278 |
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|
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Land use change 3 938 4 451 |
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|
|
|
|
Fuel combustion CO2 emission activities (PJ) (Gg) Energy 15 679 Commercial/Institutional 6 153 Residential 6 384 Industry 21 155 Transport 3 628 Agriculture/Forestry 2 034 Total 764.93 55 033 Solid 344.35 32 184 Liquid 196.76 11 011 Gaseous 223.82 11 838 |
Feedstocks and Carbon Storage
13. Total volume of carbon stored in products (pitch oil, tar,
petrochemical crude oil products, industrial fertiliser) in 1990 was
specified as 1064 Gg C according to the Intergovernmental Panel on
Climate Change (IPCC) method, and 736 Gg according to the national
method.
CO2 removals
14. The Slovak Republic's area is 49,036 km2, including
41 per cent forest land. The land use has remained fairly constant
over the last century. In the same period, meadows and pastures have
been converted to arable land. "Forestry and land use change" in our
territory remains a sink of approximately 4,451 Gg of carbon
dioxide/year.
Trends
15. It is rather hard to evaluate the CO2 emission
trends, because generally only data from 1990 are available. In
general, CO2 emissions were increasing until 1988, after
1990 they began to decrease. It is assumed that this trend will
continue after 1993 as a consequence of economic
depression.
CH4 emissions
16. In Slovakia, the major sources of methane are represented by
agriculture (livestock farming and manure), fuel extraction (brown
coal), transport (natural gas network) and waste
treatment.
N2O emissions
17. A complete list of N2O sources and emissions has
not yet been developed for the Slovak region. It was not possible to
quantify some of the sources and some remain hidden. N2O
emissions are caused by excess mineral nitrogen in the soil as a
consequence of intense fertilisation and of unfavourable air regime
of soil (the use of heavy machinery during cultivation).
Other gases
18. CFCs and HCFCs emissions are not known. Only data on their
consumption are available. Their use is controlled within the
Montreal Protocol. The major NOx and CO sources are power
engineering and transport. Metallurgy is also an important source of
CO emissions. Anthropogenic emissions of non-methane volatile organic
compounds (NMVOCs) were specified within the implementation of the
Protocol on NMVOC emissions reduction in the Slovak Republic. The
application of paints and solvents together with extraction,
transport, processing and use of crude oil and its products are the
major sources.
Aggregated emissions
19. The values of aggregated emissions consider both primary and
secondary contribution of greenhouse gases according to the IPCC
methodology (IPCC 1994, global warming potential (GWP) 100 yrs).
CO2 emissions contribute 81 per cent of the total
emissions, CH4 emissions contribute 12 per cent and
N2O emissions 7 per cent (expressed as the CO2
equivalent).
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1988 |
1990 |
1993 |
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Fossil fuel combustion Fugitive emissions Agriculture Waste treatment Forest ecosystems |
50 (5) |
21 96 172 53 5 |
58 (5) |
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Total |
|
347 |
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|
1988 |
1990 |
1993 |
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Fossil fuel combustion Industrial processes Agriculture Water surfaces |
(10.0) 1.3 |
3.8 2.1 8.8 1.3 |
3.6 1.3 |
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Total |
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16.0 |
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| |||
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| |||
|
|
1988 |
1990 |
1993 |
|
NOx CO NMVOC |
1981 457 (156) |
227 489 147 |
184 480 116 |
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|
1 data from 1987 |
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|
(Gg) (Gg CO2 equivalent) | ||||
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Energy/heat generation, Transport Fugitive emissions Industry Agriculture Forestry Waste treatment |
55 033 NE 2 775 NE (-4 451)1 470 |
515 2 352 NE 4 214 1222 1 299 |
1 216 NE 672 2 816 4163 NE |
56 764 2 352 3 447 7 030 538 1 769 |
|
Total |
58 278 |
8 502 |
5 120 |
71 900 |
|
1 carbon sinks are not included in total CO2 emission 2 emissions from wetlands 3 emission from water surfaces | ||||
Climate change - Strategy and policy
20. The Slovak Republic has not yet adopted a national policy
relevant to climate changes. Similarly there is no integral
systematic programme for the reduction of greenhouse gases emissions
or enhancement of sinks. In a relatively short time during the period
of political and economic transformation of the society and the
development of a new state a range of acts, regulations and measures,
indirectly related to greenhouse gases emissions reduction or
enhancement of sinks, was adopted. In addition several research
projects linked with climate change were finished or are being
prepared.
21. The first National Communication introduces a survey of
relevant activities originally devoted to other goals but indirectly
linked to greenhouse gases emission reduction. It will represent an
effective instrument for the implementation of the Framework
Convention on Climate Change until the national policy directly
related to greenhouse gases emissions is adopted.
22. Within the framework of the Slovak Republics Country Study, a
proposal for climate change policy and an action plan will be
developed. After its adoption by the Government of the Slovak
Republic it will represent a consistent national policy on climate
changes. This policy will be presented in the Second National
Communication.
23. Because the historical development of the economy of the Slovak Republic has been energy intensive, the attention should be focused on seeking possibilities for the improvement of energy utilisation efficiency. Most of the important measures which result in energy savings are directly linked with CO2 emissions reductions as a considerable share of energy in Slovakia is obtained from the combustion of low grade fuels.
24. The development of the economy of Slovakia before 1989 was
substantially based on heavy industry with high energy intensity. The
national economy restructuring needs an effective energy conservation
policy. The following items should be taken into
consideration:
domestic energy sources to cover the total consumption represent only cca 10 per cent (1990);
the consumption of primary energy sources per capita is very high
(178 GJ-1990).
25. The fundamental document for energy sector development is
Energy Strategy and Policy of the Slovak Republic up to the year
2005. In this document the national target of CO2
emissions reduction is defined directly, as
follows
26. The energy policy is based on the following key
assumptions:
substantially higher use of natural gas for electricity and heat cogeneration in combined cycles,
implementation of fuel and energy efficiency programmes,
increasing use of renewable energy resources (mainly biomass and geothermal),
reconstruction of the two largest Slovak fossil fuel power plants (fluid combustion, desulphurisation and denitrification),
exploitation of the hydroenergetic potential of the Slovak Republic up to 65 per cent,
completion of all four units in the Nuclear Power Plant Mochovce (4 x 440 MW),
to close V1 NPP operation in Jaslovské Bohunice (2 x 440 MW) within one year after commissioning and full power operation of the first two units of NPP Mochovce.
27. Fulfilment of the above assumptions will result in a
significant decline in energy produced from the combustion of fossil
fuels (mainly low grade coal), directly ensuring a significant
CO2 emission abatement.
28. Legislative instruments, economic tools and other measures
with direct and indirect effects on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
are summarised in the following review. Details are given in Chapter
4 of the full National Communication.
29. Measures fully or partly implemented
Energy sector
Act No. 89/1987 on production, distribution and consumption of heat
Act No. 88/1987 and No. 347/1990 on Energy Inspectorate
Act No. 316/1993 on consumption tax
Price liberalisation of energy and fuels
Information campaigns
Training and education
Demonstration projects
Programme supporting the economic activities resulting in savings of energy and imported raw materials
Programme supporting the building of renewable energy
sources
Residential and service sectors
Programme of additional insulation and removal of defects in apartment houses
Programme of energy consumption reduction in apartment and family
houses
Transport sector
Act No. 316/1993 on consumption tax on hydrocarbon fuels and lubricants
Act No. 87/1994 on road tax
Inspection of vehicles in use (Act No. 309/ 1991)
Establishment and development of combined transport (Governmental Decisions Nos. 833/1992 and 644/1991)
Lowering of ineffective transport in municipal agglomerations
Preference of electric to diesel railway transport
Use of alternative fuels
Cross sectoral measures
30. At present the most important indirect legislative instrument
to reduce the CO2 emissions is represented by effective
air protection legislation:
Act No. 309/1991 on the protection of the air against pollutants
Decree of the Slovak Commission for the Environment No. 407/1992 on emission standards
Act No. 134/1992 on the state administration of air protection
Act No. 311/1992 on charges for air pollution
Act No. 128/1992 on state fund for the environment
Decree No. 176/1992 on conditions for providing and use of the financial means from state fund for the environment
Information materials - energy savings, renewable
sources
31. Measures considered for the future
Energy sector
Act on energy management
Principles of regional energy policy
Institutional building of project identification and implementation to reduce the greenhouse gases
Establishment of a fund to increase energy efficiency
Energy audits
Demand side management
Labelling of Appliances
Legislative regulation on using of waste heat in
industry
Residential and service sectors
Standardisation of heat insulation of buildings
Transport sector
Optimisation of motor-car traffic in cities
Municipal charges
Tax on motor-cars
Preference for public transport
Lowering of permissible speed
Development of cycling
Education
Measures to reduce the emissions of other greenhouse
gases
32. Measures fully or partly implemented
Methane
Waste management
Programme on waste management
Act No. 239/1991 on waste
Ordinance of the Slovak Government No. 605/1992 on keeping evidence on waste
Ordinance of the Slovak Government No. 606/1992 on waste treatment
Act of the Slovak National Council No. 309/1992 on charges for waste disposal
Economic instruments to improve waste management
Agriculture
Act No. 307/1992 on the protection of farmland
Act No. 61/1964 on development of crop production
Directive of Ministry for Agriculture and Nutrition of the Slovak Republic No.5001/ 1982 on manipulation with and utilisation of liquid manure and liquidation of ensilage juices
Ordinance of the Government of the Slovak Republic No. 606/1992 on
Waste Treatment
Nitrous oxide
Agriculture
Act No. 307/1992 on the protection of farmland
Act No. 61/1964 on development of crop production
Directive of Ministry for agriculture and nutrition of the Slovak Republic No. 5000/ 1982 on water protection against agricultural contamination
Directive of Ministry for agriculture and nutrition of the Slovak
Republic No. 5001/ 1982 on manipulation with and utilisation of
liquid manure and liquidation of ensilage juices.
Methane
Waste management
Updating of legislative measures
Technical standards implementation
Energy sector
Implementation of measures to lower the leakage of natural gas
from gas-piping system including local distribution
network
Nitrous oxide
Agriculture
Codex on quality assurance in agricultural practice
Action plan for the reduction of water nitrate contamination
Methodology of special agriculture practice in areas of hygienic
protection of water sources and in polluted areas
33. Volatile organic compounds and carbon monoxide are not
radiatively active gases but they indirectly support the greenhouse
forcing. The Government of Slovak Republic decided to accede to
Economic Commission for Europe UNO Protocol on the reduction of
volatile organic compounds emissions (30 per cent reduction by the
year 2000 compared to the year 1990). Ratification of this Protocol
in the Slovak Parliament is expected during 1995. Further measures to
reduce VOCs and CO result from effective air pollution legislation
(emission standards, BATNEEC, charging of polluters, three-way
catalytic converters, etc.).
34. Afforestation of 50,000 hectares governmental non-forest land
not suitable for agricultural utilisation is expected by the year
2000.
Projection and assessment of effects of
measures
35. The estimation of future trends in greenhouse gases in a
country with an economy in transition is complicated by the process
of economy restructuring. In the first National Communication the
largest emphases have been given on energy related CO2
production. Non-energy related CO2 projection is
primarily based on the future development of lime and cement
production. The other GHGs emission projection is estimated on the
assumption of additional development of the agricultural and forestry
sectors as well as on the future development of waste
management.
Energy-related CO2 emission
projection
36. The energy-related CO2 emission projection is based
on the Energy Strategy and Policy of the Slovak Republic up to the
year 2005. The following measures have been considered in this energy
policy:
The share of natural gas will increase for end use of energy as
well as in the electricity generating process (the installation of
new combined cycles facilities). The latter represents the impact of
new environmental legislation.
The 31.5 PJ decrease in fossil fuel consumption using energy
conservation measures is considered for the year 2005.
The new nuclear power plant Mochovce will be put in
operation.
The increasing share of renewable energy sources in national
primary energy balance.
37. Considering these measures, the solid fuel consumption will
decline between 1990-2005 by 36.1 per cent and liquid fuels by 10.4
per cent. This energy consumption decline will be offset by
increasing gaseous fuels consumption by 38.1 per cent, biomass
consumption by 21.9 per cent and by the increasing share of primary
nuclear heat by 48.5 per cent. Due to the decline in fossil fuel
consumption as well as due to the change of fuel types a CO2
decrease in the year 2000 of 15.7 per cent from the base year
is expected. This fact is important concerning meeting the FCCC
requirements of GHGs stabilisation, because energy related
CO2 represents 94 per cent of the domestic emission total
in 1990. The total CO2 projection, based on the Energy
Policy is summarised in Table 7.
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Fuels |
1990 |
|
|
|
|
Solid Liquid Gaseous |
32 185 11 010 11 839 |
24 335 10 219 11 669 |
22 314 10 518 13 541 |
20 576 11 060 16 351 |
|
Total |
55 033 |
43 223 |
46 373 |
47 987 |
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38. The national target of Slovakia is to reduce the
energy-related CO2 emission in period 1988-2005 by 20 per
cent. The energy demand scenario from the Energy Policy projects a
fossil fuel consumption increase in 2005 due to the national economic
revival and a progressive increase of GDP in this period. In this
case the projected CO2 decline between 1988-2005 will be
only 17.6 per cent. In the Energy Policy only a minimal energy saving
potential is considered (31.5 PJ). This document was prepared in
1993, therefore the new energy data from the transportation sector
has not been incorporated in the energy balance. To achieve the
national target, the following scenarios of CO2 emission
have been assumed, considering the energy saving potential and new
data from the transportation sector:
Scenario A: Business as usual
Scenario B: Based on the Energy Policy (energy
conservation 31.5 PJ in 2005) and the new data from transportation
sector.
Scenario C: Scenario B, 10 per cent reduction of
CO2 emission in the transportation sector, energy
conservation 50.2 PJ in 2005
Scenario D: Scenario C, the energy conservation 126 PJ in
2005 (full energy saving potential).
39. The individual scenarios are summarised in Table 8. It is
obvious, that at assuming the business as usual energy consumption
development, as represented by Scenario A, the CO2
emission level in 2000 will not exceed the level 1990. It is
important from the point of view of FCCC commitment to stabilise GHGs
emission until 2000. The National Target will be achieved under
Scenario B.
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1988 |
|
|
2000 |
|
|
Scenario A Scenario B Scenario C Scenario D National Target |
58 58 58 58 |
55 55 55 55 |
46 46 46 46 |
51 46 46 46 |
63 47 45 41 47 |
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Non-energy related CO2
40. Using the cement, lime and magnesite production data the
non-energy related CO2 emission projection was estimated
(Table 9).
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1988 |
|
|
2000 |
|
|
Cement Lime Magnesite |
2 005 473 522 |
1 853 451 471 |
1 467 303 362 |
1 565 316 385 |
1 956 355 472 |
|
Total |
3 000 |
2 775 |
2 132 |
2 266 |
2 783 |
|
| |||||
Emission of other GHGs
41. The emissions of other GHGs (CH4, N2O)
have been balanced on the projected activity data from the power
industry, industrial processes, agriculture, forestry and waste
management (Table 10 and 11).
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1990 |
|
|
|
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Landfills Agriculture Combustion Fugitive emission |
53 172 21 96 |
51 140 18 88 |
51 130 18 94 |
51 130 18 102 |
|
Total |
342 |
297 |
293 |
301 |
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1990 |
|
|
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|
Biomass combustion Agriculture Industry |
3.8 8.8 2.1 |
3.2 3.6 1.2 |
3.2 8.8 2.1 |
3.3 10.0 2.1 |
|
Total |
14.7 |
8.0 |
14.1 |
15.4 |
|
| ||||
Aggregated emission projection
42. Table 12 illustrates the aggregated emission projection of
GHGs (expressed as CO2). Scenario B for energy-related
projection of CO2 emissions was applied. CO2
emissions from the waste incineration was not included.
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CO2 energy related CO2 non-energy related CH4 N2O |
55 033 2 775 8 502 5 120 |
46 223 2 132 7 390 2 978 |
46 373 2 266 7 295 4 917 |
47 987 2 783 7 495 5 333 |
|
Total |
71 430 |
58 723 |
60 851 |
63 598 |
|
| ||||
Vulnerability to climate change and adaptive
strategies
43. The climate in Slovakia is influenced predominantly by its
position in Central Europe, by the topography of the Western
Carpathian Mountains and the Alps and by prevailing westerly zonal
atmospheric circulation. The period from the 15th of July to the 15th
of October is relatively dry in the South of Slovakia. Southern and
south-western Mediterranean cyclones cause heavy precipitation in the
south and east half of Slovakia mainly from October to December and
in May and June in some years. On the other hand, the western and
north-western atmospheric currents bring precipitation predominantly
to the mountains in western and northern Slovakia. Any change of
atmospheric circulation may significantly affect the descried
simplified scheme of climate conditions over the entire country of
Slovakia. Projected warming of the climate may change the climate in
Slovakia toward higher variability and this could change the limits
for both natural ecosystems and socio-economic
activities.
44. From the historical climatic trends and variability analysis
follow:
trend of annual air temperature means from 1901 is significantly
positive by about 1C with maximum in the last 7-year
period;
trend of annual precipitation totals is significantly negative by
about 90 mm in southern Slovakia with a minimum in the last 14-year
period (decreasing trends of lesser magnitude have been found in
Slovakia generally, but the trend is not significant in the northern
mountains);
trend of annual potential evaporation totals is significantly
positive by about 125 mm in the south-west Slovakia with a maximum in
the last 7-year period (trends from 10 to 15 per cent have been found
in other regions of Slovakia);
trend of annual actual evaporation is decreasing in southern
Slovakia with a minimum in the last 7-year period and increasing in
the northern mountainous half of Slovakia where precipitation is
comparable or higher than potential evaporation;
values of calculated annual mean usable soil moisture is
significantly decreasing mainly in south-western Slovakia by about 25
per cent of the 1961-1990 means and by about 10-20 per cent in the
other regions;
air temperature and precipitation trends are caused mainly by the
change of climatic characteristics in the season from April to
September;
occurrence of exceptional monthly means and totals in the period
1981-1994 was more frequent than in the periods before
1981;
in the mountainous part of Slovakia a great surplus of
precipitation totals comparing potential evaporation occurred in the
first three decades of this century, but after 1980 there was a
similar deficiency of precipitation like the lowlands.
45. Assessments listed above clearly indicate trends toward higher
aridity, predominantly in the southern part of Slovakia. The mean
discharges of Slovak rivers have decreased by 10-30 per cent (some
smaller rivers in the South by more than 40 per cent) since
1931.
Preliminary climate change scenarios
46. Scenarios of temperature rise by 1-2C (in comparison with the
means of the 1951-1980 period) are considered in accordance with GCMs
(General Circulation Models) for the periods about the year 2025.
Precipitation totals rise in winter and decrease in the vegetation
period (April-September) by about 20 per cent is expected (generally
greater precipitation decrease is assumed in southern Slovakia). The
mean relative air humidity will probably decrease year round (the
greater decrease - about 6 per cent - is expected in southern
Slovakia in the spring months). Preliminary scenarios are presented
in the Slovak National Climate Programme reports. More detailed
development of climate scenarios is planned in the Country Study
Project in 1995.
Climate change impacts and
adaptation
47. Preliminary assessments, based on the present state of
knowledge, existing climatic and hydrological trends and projected
changes over the next decades have been estimated in the Slovak
National Climate Programme Project and in other research projects in
Slovakia. The results obtained are considered as a rough risk
assessment only, but they are usable as a basis for framework
strategies. Because of the progress of impact assessment in the
hydrological cycle, forest ecosystems and partly in crop production,
only these three sectors could be included into the First National
Communication of FCCC implementation in Slovakia.
48. Hydrology, water resources and water management.
According to simple model calculations (using preliminary climate
change scenarios) the continuation of present trends (river
discharges, ground water levels and spring yields decreases) is
expected mainly in the southern half of Slovakia. This may negatively
influence not only the water supply for the public, industry and
agriculture, but also hydropower plants and river transport systems
use in Slovakia. Scenarios of about a further 20 per cent decrease of
water resources were preliminary identified for the period
1990-2030.
49. Forest ecosystems. Based on regional climate
scenarios (temperature, precipitation) as well as from concentrations
of some gases in the atmosphere (greenhouse gases, photooxidants,
etc.), it will be necessary to implement the following
measures:
acceleration of Norway spruce monocultures change to mixed stands
of pine, oak, beech and the other broad leafed species;
to preserve biodiversity of forest communities extensively in
forest management;
preparation of genetic material for the artificial regeneration to
changed climate, reevaluation of forest management
plans;
to increase carbon dioxide fixation by afforestation of soils
unused in agriculture.
50. Agriculture (crop production). Climate change impacts
upon agriculture is very complex, partly positive, but mostly
negative. Mitigation of negative impacts and utilisation of positive
ones should be prepared for well in advance, because of the long-term
nature of adaptation processes in agriculture systems and in
agricultural ecosystems as well. The projected adaptive measures are
as follows:
change in crop cultivation technologies;
change in agroclimatic regionalisation, and structure of crops and varieties cultivated;
change in breeding objectives;
change in plant protection;
regulation of the water supply considering expected changes of the hydrological cycle;
regulation of water and energy regimes of fields by mulching;
improvement of soil fertility from the point of view of
sustainable agriculture.
Joint implementation of FCCC
commitments
51. Considering the joint implementation (JI) of the FCCC
commitments, the position of the Slovak Republic is as
follows:
JI is economically effective as it allows the achievement of the
maximum greenhouse gases emissions reduction at the lowest
cost;
the countries listed in Annex I should reach greenhouse gases
emission stabilisation "at home", without the use of JI;
JI is a voluntary activity under the responsibility of two or more
Parties; such activity must be undertaken or accepted by the
Governments concerned;
a three-year pilot phase, to gain experience, is
recommended;
during the pilot phase, the credits do not yet apply;
the criteria for the pilot phase should be flexible.
52. To ensure that the commitments of the Slovak Republic
resulting from the Convention are met effectively, a National
Panel for Collection, Evaluation and Implementation of Greenhouse
Gases Emission Reduction Projects is planned. In the Slovak
Republic the joint implementation mechanism has not been applied to
date.
Climate change research
53. Climate changes have been studied for a long time in research
projects of the Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute, Department of
Meteorology and Climatology at Comenius University and Geophysical
Institute at the Slovak Academy of Sciences. Recently, the study of
these issues has been initiated at the Institute of Hydrology of the
Slovak Academy of Sciences, the Agriculture University in Nitra and
the Forest University and the Forest Research Institute in Zvolen.
National research programmes are listed below:
National Climate Programme of the Slovak Republic;
National Programme of Greenhouse Gases Emission
Reduction;
National Programme to Reduce the Emission of Volatile Organic
Compounds;
Hydrological regime changes as the result of global
changes;
Slovak National Programme to Stabilise And Reduce CO2
Emissions in Transportation;
The Slovak Republic's Country Study to Address Climate Change (the
second round of the United States Country Study
Programme).
54. These longterm programmes were established and supervised by
the Slovak Ministry of the Environment and are financed primarily
from the state fund of the environment. More then twenty institutions
are involved in this research. The Slovak Hydrometeorological
Institute is the main research coordinator. Details can be found in
Chapter 8 of the full National Communication. In the present economic
situation, costly technology research and development stagnates in
Slovakia. Governmental funding is very limited and private sector
interest is still absent.
Education and public awareness
55. Public awareness concerning climate change in the Slovak
Republic is still low. An educational campaign, started in last three
years, will be intensified. Great importance will be given to
cooperation with non-governmental organizations. Special emphasis
will be attached to communication among policymakers, researchers and
the general public in order to improve general awareness, to support
the feeling of political responsibility and to accelerate the FCCC
implementation process.