Launch event of Chapter Zero Slovenia: Action on climate change is urgent

The initiative is held under the honourable patronage of the President of the Republic of Slovenia, Dr Nataša Pirc Musar, who said at the event: 'I myself see the green transition as an opportunity that we should not miss. I see it as a strategy to manage risks while making the most of the new opportunities it offers. The role of the economy is extremely important, perhaps even the most important." The Honorary Chairman of Chapter Zero Slovenia, Miha Košak, also addressed the audience, thanking everyone involved for their efforts and energy and saying that the newly established Chapter Zero Slovenia will strive to become a driving force in addressing climate-related challenges.

The short roundtable also featured presentations by three founding members of Chapter Zero Slovenia: Barbara Uranjek, CEO of the British-Slovenian Chamber of Commerce, Gorazd Podbevšek, Chairman of the Slovenian Directors' Association, and Barbara Žibret Kralj, Country Managing Director at Deloitte Slovenia. They strongly support the idea that the environmental impacts of business and the importance of climate change must become one of the priorities of Slovenian companies, and all of them will actively participate in the development of the relevant competences and awareness of management and supervisory bodies. "Let me add that climate change is not just a challenge facing businesses around the world today. They are also a great opportunity and Slovenia is no exception. And it is the recognition of opportunities that must become the basis of the debate for every business. After today, I am convinced that we have the tools and the knowledge we need to get there", concluded Barbara Žibret Kralj, Deloitte, in her opening remarks.

The audience was further addressed by the British Ambassador to Slovenia, Tiffany Sadler, who has been in Slovenia for two and a half years and has been actively supporting climate-oriented projects. She also puts private climate responsibility high on her list of priorities - she also travels to the UK by train whenever she can.

Keynote speaker Karina Litvack, Chair of the Climate Governance Initiative and member of the Supervisory Board at Eni, in a conversation with Mojca Markizeti, Head of the Working Group Chapter Zero Slovenia and ESG and Climate Director at Deloitte Slovenia, addressed the 8 climate governance principles that the Climate Governance Initiative puts at the heart of its work. The principles provide clear guidance to members of executive and non-executive boards of companies on how to integrate the green transition and climate issues into their decision-making process and ultimately business strategies.

Mojca Dolinar, Director of the Office of Meteorology, Hydrology and Oceanography at the Ministry of the Environment, Climate and Energy, also spoke at the event, presenting a startling forecast of how the climate in Slovenia will change: "In the coming years, we can expect up to 90 hot days a year in Ljubljana, which means that temperatures will exceed 30 degrees, but on the other hand, we can also expect very cold winters." In the light of the dire forecasts, Mojca Markizeti, Head of the Working Group of Chapter Zero Slovenia, concluded the event with a discussion with business representatives. Maja Brelih Lotrič, CEO of Lotrič Meroslovje, is a representative of the younger generation, who puts sustainability high on the company's list of priorities and is aware that the knowledge that can be gained through such an initiative is valuable. Tomaž Vuk, PhD, Chairman of the Management Board at Salonit Anhovo, says that we have access to all the knowledge and technology to take a step in the right direction, but we are waiting for the standardisation of products. NLB, also listed on the London Stock Exchange, has an active approach to climate governance Andreas Klingen, Deputy Chairman of the Supervisory Board of NLB, said and added that they are developing "sustainability governance", implementing many improvements and are devoted supporters of Chapter Zero Slovenia. Barbara Gorjup, CEO and founder of Baklus and a supervisor in many companies, who actively focuses on climate, also spoke at the roundtable.

Tina Kobilšek, Head of the Department for Climate Policies at the Ministry of Environment, Climate and Energy, described the urgency of climate action as: "We all know we need to go to the dentist, but we also know that if we go only when we are already in a lot of pain, the situation will be much worse." She added that the Ministry is taking an active approach to climate risk management and is preparing a proposal for a climate law, a national energy and climate plan, and revising the Climate Change Fund programme to help the economy and business make the green transition.

The event was also supported by NLB, Zavarovalnica Triglav, BTC, GoGreen and Delo.

Watch the full launch event below.