AGP Executive Report

Illegal waste cleanup fears in Croatia: As Croatia prepares to remove tens of thousands of tonnes of hazardous waste from the former PPK Velebit complex near Gospić, locals say years of illegal dumping may have left lasting harm and complain that no waste has been removed so far. Water quality push in Europe: A new study finds Europe’s rivers are improving, but only Slovenia is getting cleaner fast enough to meet 2030 water targets—while other countries lag or even worsen. Climate pressure on hops: Heat and drought are cutting European hop yields and alpha-acid levels, with projections pointing to further declines by 2050 unless irrigation and resilient varieties expand. Hydrogen network cooperation in Slovenia: ELES, Plinovodi and Yokogawa signed an MoU to develop a low-carbon hydrogen ecosystem, focusing on integrating electricity, gas and hydrogen infrastructure and exploring a connected hydrogen plant. Circular aquaculture in Ljubljana: At Aquaculture Europe 2026, researchers and businesses discussed turning aquaculture by-products into building materials and other inputs, including mussel-shell and sediment reuse projects. Packaging sustainability in Slovenia: Bayer launched a mono-material polypropylene blister for Talcid in Germany, expanding a recyclable design first tested in Slovenia. Energy policy enforcement: The European Commission took action on infringement cases, including referring Bulgaria to the EU court over electricity market rules.

Water Quality Watch: A new EU study finds European rivers are improving on organic waste and phosphate, but only Slovenia is cleaning up fast enough to hit 2030 targets—others are moving too slowly or even slipping. Climate & Agriculture: Heat and drought are already cutting European hop yields and alpha-acid levels, with projections pointing to further losses by 2050 unless irrigation and resilient varieties scale up. Hydrogen Network Push: ELES, Plinovodi and Yokogawa signed an MoU to build a low-carbon hydrogen ecosystem in Slovenia, focusing on electricity–gas–hydrogen integration and possible demonstration projects. Packaging for Recycling: Bayer launched a mono-material polypropylene blister for Talcid in Germany (with an earlier Slovenia launch), aiming for higher recyclability and a wider rollout across Europe. Energy Rules Under Pressure: The EU is considering delaying activation of methane rules amid supply-security and price concerns, as energy ministers weigh next steps. Local Tech & Ads: Telekom Slovenije/TSmedia is using Synamedia Iris to sell locally targeted ads on international TV channels, expanding marketing access without changing viewers’ set-top boxes. Tourism Pressure Theme: A look at overtourism debates as airlines expand nonstop routes to leisure hotspots, raising the question of whether “more flights” means “more strain.” EU Legal Moves: The Commission took action in infringement cases, including referring Bulgaria to the Court of Justice over electricity market transposition gaps.

EU Energy & Methane Rules: The European Commission signals it may delay parts of the methane rules for oil and gas imports, citing supply security and price pressure, as ministers weigh whether activation should be pushed back. Hydrogen Network (Slovenia): ELES, Plinovodi and Yokogawa signed an MoU to build a Slovenia hydrogen ecosystem, focusing on better coordination between electricity, gas and hydrogen networks and a possible hydrogen plant demo. Rivers & Water Quality: A new study finds European river quality is improving, but only Slovenia is on track for 2030 targets—others must speed up action. Wastewater Compliance (EU): The Commission issued a reasoned opinion to Sweden over Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive gaps, while also pursuing other infringement steps. Slovenia Politics & Referendums: A Mediana poll for POP TV shows public dissatisfaction with the government crossing 50% ahead of 11 October referendums. Circular Packaging (Slovenia/Europe): Bayer launched a mono-material recyclable blister for Talcid in Germany (after an earlier Slovenia launch), aiming to expand across more markets by 2027. Local TV Ads (Slovenia): Telekom Slovenije/TSmedia is using Synamedia Iris to sell local ads on international TV channels, starting with AMC and BBC. Climate & Food Resilience: COOL-BORDER begins work to cut waste and barriers in chilled and frozen food supply chains across Central Europe, including Slovenia.

EU Enforcement: The European Commission updated infringement actions against Bulgaria, referring it to the EU Court of Justice in two electricity internal-market cases over incomplete transposition, with gaps on network access, generation authorisation, consumer rights and flexibility rules. Ad Tech & Energy Transition: Telekom Slovenije and its TSmedia unit are rolling out local advertising on international TV channels using Synamedia Iris, aiming to monetize AMC and BBC airtime for Slovenian brands without changes for viewers. Hydrogen Infrastructure: ELES, Plinovodi and Yokogawa signed an MoU to build a hydrogen ecosystem in Slovenia, focusing on electricity–gas–hydrogen integration, resilience and a possible connected hydrogen plant demo. Water Quality: A new study finds European rivers are improving but not fast enough for 2030 goals; only Slovenia is fully on track, while others may need stronger measures. Climate Extremes: Slovenian climbers retreated from K7’s East Face after heavy snowfall forced a stop around 6,350 m. Circular Food Logistics: COOL-BORDER (Interreg CENTRAL EUROPE) starts implementation with hubs across six countries to cut packaging, cold-chain and documentation waste for chilled and frozen food SMEs.

TV Advertising & Local Economy: Telekom Slovenije (via TSmedia) is using Synamedia Iris to let Slovenian brands buy local ads on international linear channels, replacing international ad spots with locally scheduled campaigns (currently AMC and BBC), without changes for viewers’ set-top boxes. Climate & Health: A EU-funded research team says childhood obesity has deep biological, environmental and behavioural drivers—warning that public debate focused only on food and exercise misses the bigger picture. Marine Biodiversity: A deliberately sunk shipwreck in Ireland’s Killala Bay is now showing colonisation by barnacles, sponges and fish, with experts calling it a long-term biodiversity boost when done responsibly. Mountain Weather Extremes: Slovenian climbers on K7’s East Face retreated after heavy snowfall at about 6,350 m, highlighting how fast conditions can turn. Packaging & Circularity: Bayer is rolling out a mono-material polypropylene blister for its Talcid antacid (launched first in Slovenia), aiming for higher recyclability and wider European uptake. Water Quality in Europe: A study finds river quality improvements aren’t fast enough for 2030 targets—only Slovenia is on track. Food System Resilience: Potato growers across Europe face drought and rising costs; Slovenian estimates point to potential yield losses up to 90%, pushing calls for climate-adapted varieties and better water management. Cross-border Waste Reduction: Interreg COOL-BORDER starts work to cut barriers for chilled and frozen food SMEs, including reusable/lower-waste packaging and more efficient cold-chain logistics across six countries including Slovenia.

Climate Extremes in Slovenia: Slovenian climbers on K7’s East Face in Pakistan were forced to retreat around 6,350m after heavy snowfall, a reminder of how fast mountain weather can turn dangerous. EU Methane Rules Under Pressure: The European Commission is weighing a delay to the activation of methane import rules, citing energy supply security and prices as Brussels prepares further decisions. Water Quality Watch: A new study finds European river quality has improved since 2015–2021, but only Slovenia is on track for 2030 targets—others may need stronger action to keep up. Cross-Border Marine Safety: Slovenia hosted an Adriatic exercise simulating a hydrocarbon spill, bringing nearly 200 participants from six countries to test coordinated response and anti-pollution operations. Adriatic Clean Energy Push: The Hydrogen Ecosystem North Adriatic moves into a broader innovation and market-deployment phase, with open calls and a major conference in Gorizia and Nova Gorica in November. Food & Climate Resilience: Drought and rising costs are hitting potato growers across Europe; Slovenian yields could face losses up to 90%, while calls grow for resilient varieties and better water management. Sustainable Tourism Debate: Europe’s tourism “heat” is set to be debated at a Brussels summit focused on crowding, flights, and greening as demand hits record levels. Circular Food Logistics: The COOL-BORDER project launches cross-border hubs to cut waste and barriers in chilled and frozen food supply chains, including reusable packaging and better cold-chain documentation.

River Health Check: A new study says European rivers have improved since 2015–2021, but only Slovenia is on track for 2030 environmental targets—others need to keep strengthening pollution control. Methane Rules Delay: The EU is weighing a further postponement of methane import rules as energy ministers cite supply security and price pressure. Adriatic Spill Readiness: Slovenia hosted a cross-border exercise simulating a hydrocarbon spill in the Northern Adriatic, testing procedures and anti-pollution response with nearly 200 participants. Circular Food Logistics: COOL-BORDER (Interreg CENTRAL EUROPE) starts its first phase to cut packaging, cold-chain, paperwork and waste barriers for chilled and frozen SMEs across six countries, including Slovenia. Hydrogen Push in the North Adriatic: The Hydrogen Ecosystem North Adriatic moves into a new phase for innovation and market deployment, with open calls and a major conference in November. Climate Extremes Watch: A “Super El Niño” is intensifying rapidly, with winter 2026/2027 impacts expected to be among the strongest in over a century. Local Governance: Slovenia’s Ministry of Local Self-Government is relocating its headquarters to Maribor as a step toward decentralisation. Consumer Sustainability Reality: A Slovenia-based Gen Z coffee study finds people like sustainability ideas, but convenience, price and routine still drive purchases.

Methane Rules on Hold: The European Commission is ready to delay activation of the EU methane rules for fossil-fuel imports, as energy ministers weigh supply security and price risks ahead of a decision expected in October/December. FSD Expands, EU Vote Delayed: Tesla’s supervised Full Self-Driving got approval in Croatia, while an EU-wide decision is pushed to December—raising new questions for Slovenia and the region as more countries move ahead. River Health Check: A new study finds European rivers improved since 2015–2021, but only Slovenia is on track for 2030 environmental targets, with others needing faster progress. Chilled Food Waste Barriers: Interreg CENTRAL EUROPE launches COOL-BORDER to cut packaging, cold-chain logistics, paperwork and hygiene-related waste barriers for frozen and chilled SMEs across six countries, including Slovenia. Adriatic Pollution Drill: Slovenia hosted a cross-border exercise simulating a Northern Adriatic hydrocarbon spill, testing coordination and anti-pollution response with nearly 200 participants from partner countries. Super El Niño Watch: Scientists report the 2026 Super El Niño is intensifying rapidly, with major winter weather impacts likely.

Chilled Food Cross-Border Support: The Interreg CENTRAL EUROPE project COOL-BORDER (Sept 2026–Aug 2028) is rolling out €1.19m to cut packaging, cold-chain logistics, documentation, hygiene and waste barriers for frozen and chilled food SMEs, with six cross-border hubs across Hungary, Croatia, Austria, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia. Energy Security for Winter: Europe is entering winter with “exceptionally low” gas storage, as hot/dry weather drained reserves and LNG flows are squeezed, raising fears the energy price crisis could turn into a supply problem. Adriatic Pollution Readiness: Slovenia hosted a Northern Adriatic marine pollution exercise simulating a hydrocarbon spill, testing cross-border procedures and response assets with nearly 200 participants from six partner countries. Hydrogen Push in the North Adriatic: Hydrogen Ecosystem North Adriatic is moving from a “Hydrogen Valley” into a broader platform for innovation and market deployment, with new open calls and a major conference in Gorizia and Nova Gorica in November. Super El Niño Watch: A rapidly intensifying 2026 Super El Niño is breaking records, with winter 2026/2027 weather impacts expected worldwide. Sustainable Tourism Debate: Europe’s Travel Summit in Brussels puts overtourism and “greening” cruise and aviation on the agenda, with record summer flight numbers cited. EU Public Data and Surveillance Concerns: An open letter calls for ending public sector contracts with Palantir across Europe, citing surveillance and AI warfare uses.

Sustainable Tourism in the Spotlight: Europe’s Travel and Tourism Summit in Brussels takes on overtourism and record demand, with Eurocontrol reporting the busiest summer ever (about 35,959 flights per day in July–August) and cruise/aviation leaders debating how to “green” growth. Energy Security for Winter: Brussels warns the EU heads into winter with “exceptionally low” gas storage after hot, dry weather boosted gas burn for power; LNG flows are also constrained by war-related disruptions. Adriatic Pollution Readiness: Slovenia hosted a cross-border exercise simulating a Northern Adriatic hydrocarbon spill, testing procedures and anti-pollution booms with nearly 200 participants from six partner countries. Renewables Push in the Western Balkans: A regional conference in Budva targets 20 GW of new renewable capacity by 2040, focusing on solar, wind and storage. Climate Extremes Watch: A “Super El Niño” is intensifying fast, raising concerns for major winter weather impacts across Europe and beyond. Local Consumer Reality Check: A Slovenia-based Gen Z coffee study finds sustainability matters, but convenience, price and routine drive what people actually buy.

EU Enforcement Watch: The European Commission has launched infringement procedures over gaps in how countries are transposing the EU “right to repair” rules, including extending repair rights to indoor heating appliances; letters of formal notice go to 18 states, including Slovenia, with two months to respond. Cross-Border Clean Energy: The Hydrogen Ecosystem North Adriatic is moving from a “hydrogen valley” concept to wider cooperation and market deployment, with new open calls and a major conference in Gorizia and Nova Gorica on 11–12 November. Regional Power Balance: Croatia’s wind and solar output dropped sharply week-on-week, while hydropower rose—yet imports increased, showing how fast the grid can swing when renewables vary. Ocean Monitoring Funding: Canada, the EU and partners launched the OceanEye International Alliance, securing over C$339 million (€211m) to expand global ocean observation that supports weather, climate and coastal protection. Biodiversity & Forests: Analysis credits Brazil’s Lula-era policies with avoiding at least 20,000 km² of Amazon deforestation since 2022, underscoring how political choices shape climate outcomes.

Ocean Monitoring Boost: Canada, the EU and 29 partners launched the OceanEye International Alliance to strengthen the Global Ocean Observing System, securing over C$339m (€211m) in pledges plus €92m from the EU—aimed at better weather forecasts, climate predictions and coastal protection. Right to Repair Enforcement: The European Commission opened infringement steps over incomplete transposition of the EU right-to-repair rules, including an expanded scope covering indoor heating appliances, pushing member states to cut waste and emissions by making products easier to fix. Industrial Emissions Pressure: Brussels also moved against EU countries for failing to fully notify the revised industrial emissions directive, with governments given two months to respond. EU Ocean Data for Climate Resilience: The new funding is set to keep ocean data flowing from thousands of platforms worldwide, supporting maritime safety and high seas protection. Slovenia in the Mix: Slovenia is named among states facing EU legal follow-ups on right-to-repair and other compliance gaps.

EU Enforcement Watch: The European Commission has launched infringement procedures against 18 countries, including Slovenia, over incomplete transposition of the EU “right to repair” rules—aimed at cutting waste and emissions by making products easier to fix, and also extending repair rights to indoor heating appliances. Industrial Pollution & Clean Air: The Commission also opened action over gaps in industrial emissions rules, with no EU member state fully notifying the revised directive—governments now have two months to respond. Ocean Monitoring Boost: Canada, the EU and 29 partners launched the OceanEye International Alliance at UN headquarters, pledging over €211 million (plus C$82 million from Canada) to strengthen global ocean observation that supports weather forecasts, climate predictions and coastal protection. Circular Economy in Practice: A separate EU push targets the “right to repair” directive’s rollout, while the broader enforcement wave signals tighter follow-through on sustainability policies. Slovenia in the Spotlight: The enforcement steps place Slovenia directly in the EU’s compliance spotlight on repair and emissions—key issues for greener consumption and cleaner air.

EU Enforcement Watch: The European Commission has opened infringement procedures over gaps in how countries implement the revised industrial emissions rules, plus separate action on hydrogen and gas market rules and other legal areas—member states now have two months to respond. Right to Repair: The Commission also started infringement steps against Slovenia and others for not fully transposing the right to repair directive, including expanded coverage for indoor heating appliances—aimed at cutting waste and emissions. Circular Economy & Waste: A report on illegal toxic dumping in Croatia’s Gospić links buried waste to PFAS contamination in groundwater and heavy metals in soil, fueling calls for cleanup and accountability. Ocean Climate Data: Canada, the EU and 29+ partners launched the OceanEye alliance to strengthen global ocean monitoring, pledging over €211 million to support weather, climate predictions and coastal protection. Urban Clean Mobility: Nissan unveiled the all-new Pixo electric city car for Europe, with a 259 km range on a 27.5 kWh LFP battery—another push for lower-cost urban EVs. Slovenia Angle: The right-to-repair infringement list explicitly includes Slovenia, tying EU consumer and climate goals to local implementation.

Right to Repair: The European Commission has started infringement steps over the EU right-to-repair rules, including for Slovenia, after member states failed to fully transpose the directive and a revised scope covering indoor heating appliances. Industrial Emissions: The Commission also opened infringement procedures because no EU state fully notified the revised industrial emissions directive, with letters of formal notice sent to multiple countries and a two-month deadline to respond. Ocean Protection: The EU and Canada helped launch the OceanEye International Alliance at the UN, securing at least €211 million in pledges to strengthen global ocean observing for weather, climate and coastal resilience. Urban EV Push: Nissan unveiled the Pixo electric city car for Europe, with up to 259 km range and fast charging, a sign of continued momentum for cleaner urban transport. Local Waste Fallout: A report on illegal toxic dumping in Croatia’s Gospić highlights PFAS contamination risks—another reminder of why enforcement and cleanup matter for public health.

Right to Repair: The European Commission has started infringement steps over the EU “right to repair” rules, saying several countries—including Slovenia—failed to fully transpose both the original directive and a 2026 update that widens repair rights to indoor heating appliances. Industrial Emissions & Energy Rules: The Commission also launched broad infringement letters because no EU member state has fully notified the revised industrial emissions directive, and it is pursuing many states over hydrogen and gas market rules plus gaps in electricity, anti-money laundering, anti-trafficking and consumer protection. Ocean Monitoring Push: Canada, the EU and 29 other countries backed the OceanEye International Alliance for the Global Ocean Observing System at the UN, with pledges of at least €211 million (including €92 million from the EU) to keep ocean data flowing for weather, climate and coastal protection. Slovenia Angle: Slovenia is explicitly named in the right-to-repair notification gaps, tying EU waste-and-emissions goals directly to national implementation. Packaging & Recycling: Bayer introduced a mono-material polypropylene blister for Talcid in Germany, aiming to improve recyclability and extend the approach across more European markets.