Strategically important long-term directions and goals of the Ministry concerning environmental protection are aimed at preventing or mitigating adverse impacts presenting a threat to sustainable development. The Environmental Protection Act constitutes the regulatory framework for the environment in Slovenia. Moreover, the Resolution on the National Environmental Protection Programme brings forward the following four key areas: climate change, nature and biodiversity, quality of life, and waste and industrial pollution.

National territory is fundamental to the development of a nation and the entire population of the country, to the strengthening of national identity, to the wise exploitation of spatial potentials and to the conservation of landscape diversity and natural qualities. By encouraging and directing spatial development, the Ministry strives to develop and achieve the social well-being and freedom of every individual while conserving the environment, landscape diversity and natural resources.

General guidelines and principles of urban planning have already been included in Slovenia's strategic documents, such as the Spatial Development Strategy of Slovenia, the Spatial Order of Slovenia and the National Housing Programme. Common objectives for future spatial development are, in particular:

• to provide decent housing for everyone;

• to bring settlements in line with the new social and spatial cohesion and a higher level of social interaction;

• to ensure conditions for everyday life in historical urban centres;

• to limit dispersed construction and to protect unbuilt areas;

• to ensure that heating, cooling and lighting of buildings does not further damage the environment;

• to protect national, regional and local characteristics of the land, architecture and landscape; and

• to ensure the development of modern architecture.