Society for Sustainable Living in the Slovak Republic (STUŽ/SR)
TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE SLOVAKIA
National study in the framework of FOEE Sustainable Europe Campaign 

INTRODUCTION

Sustainable Europe Campaign

The aim of the Sustainable Europe Campaign of Friends of the Earth Europe is to enhance the development and diffusion of concrete ideas and proposals on sustainable development in Europe between all key social groups, business, NGOs, consumer organisa-tions, trade unions, government bodies and other institutions.
In 1994 initial contacts were established with key individuals in industry, trade unions, NGOs and governments all over Europe. The study "Towards Sustainable Europe" was produced by the Wuppertal Institute. It serves as the basis for the debates in 1995.
In 1995, in more than 30 countries in Europe, an inventory of  national use was made with a common methodology. Options for social and economic development are being discussed with key per-sons. The National studies will be available at the end of 1995 ( corrected and enlarged english of the Slovak national study was issued at the beginning of 1996 as the second edition ). In 1996 the outcomes of the National inventories and debates will be integrated on a pan-European level.
 

Environmental space approach

The Study ,"Towards Sustainable Europe", analyzes the available "environmental space" for Europe, based on the principles of sustai-nable use of resources, environmental quality, global justice and equity in consumption. Environmental space is the total amount of absorption capacity, non-renewable resources, agricultural land, water, forests and other resouces that we can use globally wihout impinging on the access of future generations to the same amount.
The amount of environmental space is limited and parially quantifiable. To live within their environmental space , the in-dustrialized countries  in general will have to cut their use of energy and non renewable resources by approximately 80-90%.
 

National Study

The study "Towards Sustainable Slovakia"  was prepared by an expert team headed by the Society for Sustainable Living in SR, an environ-mental non-governmental and non-profit organization. This study analyzes the  concerning the si-tuation in contemporary use of the environmental space in Slovakia and a prognosis of future trends, possibilities as well as obstacles. It is also dealing with the results of pan-Slovakian Conference "Towards Sustainable Slovakia in the International Context”, November 1995.