site.btaDiscussion on Fight Against Illegal Logging Held in Sofia

A discussion on countering illegal logging is being organized by the Centre for the Study of Democracy (CSD) on Thursday in Sofia, the organizers said. Leading independent experts and representatives of state institutions will take part in it.

CSD will present an in-depth analysis of illegal logging in Bulgaria and the characteristics of the timber market. The study will reveals the role of illegal logging in deepening the problem of energy poverty in Bulgaria and will offer specific approaches to promote sustainable biomass consumption.

The organizers noted that burning wood remains the predominant means of heating for many Bulgarian households, which is a direct result of the delay in the implementation of the decarbonization policy in Bulgaria and the electrification of heating, combined with insufficient measures to improve the energy efficiency of housing. "All these governance weaknesses ultimately lead to high levels of energy poverty", concluded the CSD.

According to CSD, by reducing household energy consumption and implementing stricter controls on logging, Bulgaria will significantly reduce deforestation and increase the carbon sequestration potential of forests. In this way, the decarbonization of the economy will be accelerated, biological diversity will be preserved and air quality will be significantly improved, the centre added.