Reducing Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions and the transition to a low carbon economy are without doubt the highest priorities of energy and environmental policies and strategies in many developed countries. Industry has an important impact on both sides, significantly contributing to the GDP, while emitting GHG, also significantly. Industry accounts for over 30% of the final energy consumed in the world and more than 40% of all GHG emissions (taking into account discharges in the use and conversion of fuels, process discharges and indirect discharges of electricity and district heating). Mitigation policy measures in general are dictated mainly by environmental and energy policies, energy supply requirements and business interests of various actors. In this research paper, the GHG emissions trends in Slovenian industry are presented, taking into account discharges in the use and conversion of fuels and process discharges. Furthermore, GHG mitigation policy targeting industrial sector is reviewed and discussed, to highlight the existing and proposed measures and industrial practices. The results of the research work show that GHG emissions in Slovenian industry sector are decreasing, mostly due to energy efficiency measures and process improvements that can mostly be attributed to the individual initiatives of energy intensive industries. The transition to a low-carbon economy is somewhat of a great development opportunity and challenge for the Slovenian industry, since it is necessary to reduce costs, while achieving the best environmental, economic and technological effects. Mitigation policy and corresponding GHG reduction measures should be implemented in a way to support the interdependent aspects of such transition.
COBISS.SI-ID: 32015143