This study explores the evolution of cycling in Istria, a region located in parts of Slovenia and Croatia along the Northern Adriatic coast, recognised for its vibrant tourism sector. The research aims to evaluate the potential of cycling for both daily commuting and tourism while examining its economic, environmental, and social impacts. The study uses secondary data from 2010 to 2023, econometric methods, and interviews to assess how cycling contributes to economic growth, regional collaboration, employment rates, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In Slovenia, regression analysis indicates that bicycle imports positively correlate with tourist arrivals, which positively influences GDP. However, VAR analysis shows that employment has a negative impact on GHG emissions. In contrast, the increase in bicycles contributes to higher GHG emissions, suggesting the possibility of greenwashing or double pollution. In Croatia, regression coefficients were found to be insignificant, aligning with insights gained from interviews. Nonetheless, VAR analysis reveals that tourist arrivals and GDP positively reinforce each other, while GHG emissions negatively affect employment. Bicycles are shown to reduce GHG emissions, and tourist arrivals are also associated with lowered GHG emissions. The study concludes that cycling holds significant potential for fostering sustainable tourism and regional development; however, the differing impacts observed in Slovenia and Croatia necessitate tailored policy interventions. The hypothesis is partially confirmed in Slovenia, where bicycle imports positively impact tourist arrivals and GDP but are challenged by increased GHG emissions, while in Croatia, the hypothesis is not supported by direct economic gains from cycling. However, bicycles contribute to reducing GHG emissions.

Proces europeizacije Jugoistočne Europe u Hrvatskoj ogledao se kroz provedbu pristupnih pregovora te u konačnici i pristupanju Hrvatske Europskoj uniji. Službeni proces pristupanja Hrvatske Europskoj uniji započeo je 2003. i trajao...

This study examines the influence of transportation policies and urbanisation on cycling participation and environmental sustainability in Slovenia. Factor and regression analyses were employed. The yearly data from 2008 to 2021 were isolated. A modest increase in urban cycling frequency was observed, bolstered by investments in environmental protection and safety enhancements; however, additional evidence is needed to confirm the long-term effects (H1). Furthermore, while increased cycling was linked to a reduction in CO₂ emissions and improved air quality, the overall environmental benefits were found to be affected by other factors, such as motorisation and public transportation in summer (H2). The study revealed that the introduction of reduced urban speed limits and expanded cycling lanes significantly enhanced cycling safety and desirability, leading to a shift from car usage to bicycles (RQ). These findings indicate that cycling could play a vital role in advancing Slovenia’s sustainable development goals, emphasising the need for continued investments and supportive urbanisation policies.

With its profound impact, climate change has emerged as the most significant challenge for economic development. The primary cause of this global crisis is “fossil” capitalism, which denotes the pollution caused by greenhouse gas emissions. As the main contributors, cars significantly add to this pollution, making traffic one of the largest polluters responsible for the ecological and economic crisis. At the European Union (EU) level, countries have formulated environmental policies within the framework of the Green Deal. The Green Deal recognises sustainable mobility as a promising solution for reducing greenhouse gases and managing the consequences of climate change. The research background highlights the promising effects of the sustainable mobility strategy in the Austrian city of Graz. The research methodology is based on a case study analysis of the “eco-transformation” of Graz, focusing on developing a local sustainable mobility strategy and implementing the “soft mobility” concept. Soft mobility refers to non-motorised forms of transportation, such as walking, cycling, and public transit, which are environmentally friendly and contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The research examines three key components—space, culture, and ambition—as fundamental elements of sustainable mobility. All available online data were collected through desk analysis and a literature review to assess the effectiveness of sustainable policies in Graz. In addition, a quantitative analysis using daily cyclist counts and weather data from 2022–2024 was conducted, confirming the impact of environmental and temporal variables on cycling behaviour. The findings underscore Graz’s replicable value as a sustainable mobility model and highlight the broader implications for EU climate goals.

Slovenia is one of the few countries where the species Proteus anguinus lives. This species' habitat is mainly in the Natura 2000 area of Slovenia. The agricultural industry developed in this area, including local farms and dairies. One of them is the Krepko dairy, strategically located directly in the habitat of the Proteus anguinus. According to current Slovenian legislation, directly releasing wastewater from the dairy industry into the environment is prohibited. For this reason, the dairy is obliged to clean wastewater before releasing into the environment. The Proteus anguinus has a very narrow ecological tolerance regarding its habitat. Because of that, the Krepko dairy wastewater treatment plant has three phases: primary, secondary, and tertiary. The primary phase involves chemical treatment, a process that this paper thoroughly investigates. The process of neutralization, coagulation, and flocculation will be examined, and the impact of this chemical phase on the cleaning process will be analyzed using on-site jar tests and pH measuring instruments. The quality of the chemical treatment will be evaluated based on visual and time data for neutralization, coagulation, and flocculation. The data for chemical oxygen demand will be taken in laboratory analysis as control data for the effectiveness of new chemicals. The primary data of the research will relate to the secondary literature on Proteus anguinus habitat protection ecology. The discussion will link primary and secondary data, highlighting the potential impact on the habitat of Proteus anguinus. The conclusions will outline the main challenges and provide recommendations for better environmental protection of Proteus anguinus, emphasizing the need for immediate action to prevent potential harm.