The environment in the Czech Republic is improving, driven by substantial investments in protection and modernisation and the country’s carbon intensity is gradually declining, according to the Environmental Report of the Czech Republic 2023. However, a faster transition away from fossil fuels is hampered by external factors such as energy price volatility and supply challenges arising from geopolitical instability. These factors continue to influence the environmental behaviours of households and businesses.
“The 2023 Environmental Report delivers a clear message: thanks to significant investments in conservation, the state of our environment has markedly improved compared to previous decades,” said Environment Minister Petr Hladík. “Modernisation, economic growth and new legislation have enhanced our ability to protect the environment while supporting economic performance. However, this does not mean our air, water, soil, or ecosystems are in optimal condition.”
He emphasised that 2023 was the hottest year on record in the Czech Republic, with climate change exacerbating risks like extreme weather events. Recent floods served as a stark reminder of these dangers. “To address these challenges, we have proposed three key amendments aimed at protecting water, soil, and air. Climate change is an undeniable reality, and we must do everything possible to mitigate its impacts,” Mr Hladík added.
Air quality has steadily improved, with fewer areas exceeding pollution limits in recent years, partly due to milder winters. The Czech Republic is on track to meet its 2030 national emission reduction targets, except for ammonia emissions, which remain a challenge. Despite progress, some households still use outdated heating methods, such as burning coal and wood, which release harmful pollutants.
Government subsidy programs, including Kotlíková subsidies and New Green Savings, have helped reduce pollution from domestic heating. To further enhance air quality, the Ministry of the Environment has introduced an amendment to the Air Protection Act. Currently under discussion in Parliament, the amendment proposes stricter emission monitoring and additional measures to curb pollution.
Surface water quality has also improved significantly since 2000, thanks to investments in wastewater treatment plants that have reduced ammonia and phosphorus levels in waterways. However, recent years have seen stagnation in these improvements, suggesting that further reductions in water pollution may be difficult to achieve.
Intensive land use continues to degrade ecosystems and reduce biodiversity. Birds, a key indicator of forest and agricultural biodiversity, are in decline. However, conservation efforts in protected areas have successfully preserved some endangered species.
The share of fossil fuels in electricity and heat generation continued to decline in 2023, with renewable energy use increasing. However, energy efficiency has not improved, and overall energy consumption remains high.
The transport sector remains heavily reliant on fossil fuels, with the adoption of alternative powertrains progressing slowly. The Czech Republic has one of the lowest rates of new electric vehicle registrations in the European Union, ranking third from the bottom.
The transition to a circular economy is gaining momentum, with recycling as the dominant method of waste utilization, in line with waste management priorities. However, a significant portion of municipal waste still ends up in landfills. Efforts are focused on reducing landfill use and increasing material recovery.