In 2025, the Slovak Republic successfully completed its first In-country Review (ICR)—an on-site assessment under the Paris Agreement related to its first Biennial Transparency Report (BTR). This process examines how countries are meeting their climate commitments and builds trust between parties under the international climate regime.
Every country that is party to the Paris Agreement is required to regularly submit a Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), outlining its emission reduction goals. However, Slovakia does not set these targets independently, as it is a member state of the European Union. The EU submits a joint NDC on behalf of all member states, and its implementation is ensured through legislative instruments such as the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS), binding national targets, and other regulatory and support measures.
The BTR is the main document through which countries report on their greenhouse gas emissions, mitigation measures, emission projections, and the financial, technological, and capacity-building support they provide or receive. The In-country Review is conducted by independent experts—or reviewers—from other countries, who assess the quality of the data and the way it is processed and presented.
Slovakia underwent this review as one of the first countries in the world, during the week of 17–21 March 2025, when international experts visited Slovakia and met in person with the national institutions involved in climate reporting. The international review team consisted of eight experts from various countries—four from developed and four from developing countries. Each focused on a specific area, such as energy, agriculture, waste, finance, or emission projections. The team included representatives from Brazil (lead reviewer for developing countries), Japan, Algeria, Argentina, Sweden, the United Kingdom (lead reviewer for developed countries), Armenia, and Zimbabwe. The group was accompanied by a representative of the UNFCCC Secretariat as an independent observer from the international community.
On the Slovak side, the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, the Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute (SHMÚ) – Department of Emissions and Biofuels, and the Institute for Environmental Policy (IEP) participated in the review. The first day was dedicated to in-depth presentations by Slovak experts, who introduced data and methodologies across all assessed sectors—greenhouse gas emissions from energy, industrial processes, agriculture, land use, and waste; mitigation policies and measures; emission projections; and financial support to developing countries. The following days included technical discussions to clarify specific methodological issues and receive feedback from the reviewers. The entire week was characterized by a constructive and professional atmosphere, which all parties appreciated.
Particular attention was given to emission projections, i.e. estimates of future developments based on existing and planned measures. Slovakia prepared two scenarios—one with current measures (WEM) and one with additional measures (WAM). These scenarios show possible pathways toward achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. Reviewers welcomed this ambition and recommended the inclusion of a sensitivity analysis—such as how developments might be affected by changes in energy prices or other technological factors.
The final assessment confirmed that Slovakia had prepared its report with high quality and transparency. The reviewers particularly commended the scope and quality of the data, the expertise of the Slovak team, and the openness of communication. They also provided several recommendations and encouregments, mainly concerning technical aspects of the reporting. These included suggestions to improve the analysis of uncertainties in emissions, to enhance methodological descriptions in the energy, agriculture, and industrial sectors, and to present financial and technological support to developing countries more clearly and comprehensively—including how this support aligns with the recipients' needs.
This type of review is of key importance for Slovakia. It is not just an international formality but a tool to improve data quality, strengthen the credibility of our reporting, and provide a basis for climate policy planning. The outcomes of this review will be incorporated into the preparation of the next report and used to refine methodological documents.
Slovakia being among the first countries to undergo this process demonstrates its commitment to transparency and its active role in global efforts to combat climate change. It is a practical step toward building trust in climate policies and improving the effectiveness of our national climate action.