site.btaEnvironmental Challenges in Bulgaria in 2021: Pollution, Construction and Criminal Proceedings
GB 12:16:31 27-12-2021
DT1213GB.105
105 ENVIRONMENT - CHALLENGES - 2021 - OVERVIEW
Environmental Challenges
in Bulgaria in 2021: Pollution, Construction
and Criminal Proceedings
Sofia, December 27 (BTA) - Combating water and air pollution, protecting the Black Sea coast and criminal proceedings by the European Commission (EC) were some of the challenges in the environment sector in 2021. Some of the critical moments of the year included the accumulation of large amounts of waste along the Iskar River in the Svoge area, the danger of pollution after the cargo ship Vera Su ran aground near Kamen Bryag and illegal construction in Alepu Beach. In 2021, new criminal proceedings were initiated by the EC against Bulgaria for violating environmental legislation or for delaying the declaration of Natura 2000 protected areas.
Iskar River Landfill
At the beginning of January this year after heavy rains, waste floated on the surface of the Iskar River and required immediate coordination of the responsible institutions. Additional funds were allocated by the Council of Ministers and 560 tonnes of household and 160 cubic meters of timber were removed. In January, the same happened in the Struma River.
On several occasions, instructions were issued and sanctions were imposed on the municipalities for neglecting the problems of cleaning the riverbeds, and 864 inspections followed. In June, the Ministry of Environment and Water said that the country's drinking water supply was guaranteed until the end of this year.
Waste Import Ban
In the summer of 2021, the caretaker government adopted the National Waste Management Plan 2021-2028. It will introduce measures to improve the separate collection of waste and reduce the harmful effects on nature.
Then-caretaker minister Assen Lichev aimed to stop the import of waste from abroad, following the case of illegal waste from Italy a year earlier.
During the summer, a total of 20 trucks with plastic waste detained at the border with Turkey were gradually returned under strict control by the Environmental water Ministry to its point of departure in Poland, Romania, Hungary, the Netherlands, Germany and Bulgaria.
Air Quality
Bulgaria has not yet closed some of the criminal proceedings initiated by the EC for non-compliance with the requirements for atmospheric norms. The main problem is related to the excess of fine dust particles (PM) and is most visible in large cities, and its solution requires the efforts of the municipalities themselves.
The Green Deal and Coal-fired Power Plants
In 2021, there was more talk about the requirements for the operation of coal-fired power plants in the country. Environmentalists point to these facilities as the main causes of air and water pollution. The debate is also part of the measures set out in the EU Green Deal, according to which Bulgaria has to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55 per cent by 2030 compared to 1990 levels.
The Government's October Recovery and Resilience Plan calls for phasing out coal and includes target dates by 2024, 2026, 2030, 2035 and 2038.
Vera Su Ship and the Danger of Environmental Disaster
On September 20, the merchant ship Vera Su, with a Panamanian-flagged crew of nine, ran aground in the rocks off Kamen Bryag. Nitrogen fertilizers were transported on board. As the bottom of the vessel was damaged, there was a risk of Black Sea pollution in the area. Authorities organized the unloading the ship with continuous monitoring of water quality, which took 36 days and ended on October 26. Elevated levels of ammonium nitrogen were reported, but more serious damage, according to authorities, did not occur. An eco-assessment of the effect on the flora and fauna in the area was also commissioned.
Construction by the Sea and Protection of the Dunes
The encroachment on nature near the Black Sea was the focus of the Ministry of Environment and Water this year as well.
In August, plowing was found on the dunes of Alepu Beach. This provoked a reaction from Minister Lichev. He also expressed dissatisfaction with the work of the regional inspectorates for environment and water (RIEW). Due to the case, the director of RIEW-Burgas was replaced. Eventually, the court stopped the construction.
Criminal Proceedings from Brussels
The EC has initiated criminal proceedings in the EU Court of Justice against Bulgaria for failing to properly introduce into national law Art. 6 (1) of the Habitats Directive, regarding the declaration of Natura 2000 protected areas. To address this issue, the caretaker government has drafted amendments to the Biodiversity Act, which, however, must be voted on by the 47th Parliament.
There more proceedings against Bulgaria have been initiated - for exceeding the norms of sulfur dioxide for the territory of the South-East region, for exceeding the values of fine dust particles and for delayed reporting of data related to the state of the marine environment.
Data from the Environment Ministry shows that as of November 29, 16 criminal proceedings for environmental violations have been opened against Bulgaria.
On December 10, Lichev signed an agreement with the Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences to develop specific and detailed conservation objectives at the protected area level for 22 protected areas of the Natura 2000 network.
New Minister and New Goals
Shortly before Christmas, parliament voted on the new regular government. Borislav Sandov, nominated by Democratic Bulgaria, was elected Minister of Environment.
The coalition agreement included environmental priorities like the closure of criminal proceedings, strengthening control over the implementation of legislation, lasting measures to improve air quality, and preventing illegal landfills. An important task is the development of the circular economy - a process in which businesses and citizens are encouraged to recycle or use products as much as possible to reduce waste. The protection of water, forests, animal and plant species is also a priority.
Because of the global problem with climate change and because of the Green Deal, Sandov was also appointed Deputy Prime Minister for Climate Policy. Sandov promised to fight corruption, more transparency and to improve the work of the RIEW. DT //
/DT/
DT1213GB.105
105 ENVIRONMENT - CHALLENGES - 2021 - OVERVIEW
Environmental Challenges
in Bulgaria in 2021: Pollution, Construction
and Criminal Proceedings
Sofia, December 27 (BTA) - Combating water and air pollution, protecting the Black Sea coast and criminal proceedings by the European Commission (EC) were some of the challenges in the environment sector in 2021. Some of the critical moments of the year included the accumulation of large amounts of waste along the Iskar River in the Svoge area, the danger of pollution after the cargo ship Vera Su ran aground near Kamen Bryag and illegal construction in Alepu Beach. In 2021, new criminal proceedings were initiated by the EC against Bulgaria for violating environmental legislation or for delaying the declaration of Natura 2000 protected areas.
Iskar River Landfill
At the beginning of January this year after heavy rains, waste floated on the surface of the Iskar River and required immediate coordination of the responsible institutions. Additional funds were allocated by the Council of Ministers and 560 tonnes of household and 160 cubic meters of timber were removed. In January, the same happened in the Struma River.
On several occasions, instructions were issued and sanctions were imposed on the municipalities for neglecting the problems of cleaning the riverbeds, and 864 inspections followed. In June, the Ministry of Environment and Water said that the country's drinking water supply was guaranteed until the end of this year.
Waste Import Ban
In the summer of 2021, the caretaker government adopted the National Waste Management Plan 2021-2028. It will introduce measures to improve the separate collection of waste and reduce the harmful effects on nature.
Then-caretaker minister Assen Lichev aimed to stop the import of waste from abroad, following the case of illegal waste from Italy a year earlier.
During the summer, a total of 20 trucks with plastic waste detained at the border with Turkey were gradually returned under strict control by the Environmental water Ministry to its point of departure in Poland, Romania, Hungary, the Netherlands, Germany and Bulgaria.
Air Quality
Bulgaria has not yet closed some of the criminal proceedings initiated by the EC for non-compliance with the requirements for atmospheric norms. The main problem is related to the excess of fine dust particles (PM) and is most visible in large cities, and its solution requires the efforts of the municipalities themselves.
The Green Deal and Coal-fired Power Plants
In 2021, there was more talk about the requirements for the operation of coal-fired power plants in the country. Environmentalists point to these facilities as the main causes of air and water pollution. The debate is also part of the measures set out in the EU Green Deal, according to which Bulgaria has to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55 per cent by 2030 compared to 1990 levels.
The Government's October Recovery and Resilience Plan calls for phasing out coal and includes target dates by 2024, 2026, 2030, 2035 and 2038.
Vera Su Ship and the Danger of Environmental Disaster
On September 20, the merchant ship Vera Su, with a Panamanian-flagged crew of nine, ran aground in the rocks off Kamen Bryag. Nitrogen fertilizers were transported on board. As the bottom of the vessel was damaged, there was a risk of Black Sea pollution in the area. Authorities organized the unloading the ship with continuous monitoring of water quality, which took 36 days and ended on October 26. Elevated levels of ammonium nitrogen were reported, but more serious damage, according to authorities, did not occur. An eco-assessment of the effect on the flora and fauna in the area was also commissioned.
Construction by the Sea and Protection of the Dunes
The encroachment on nature near the Black Sea was the focus of the Ministry of Environment and Water this year as well.
In August, plowing was found on the dunes of Alepu Beach. This provoked a reaction from Minister Lichev. He also expressed dissatisfaction with the work of the regional inspectorates for environment and water (RIEW). Due to the case, the director of RIEW-Burgas was replaced. Eventually, the court stopped the construction.
Criminal Proceedings from Brussels
The EC has initiated criminal proceedings in the EU Court of Justice against Bulgaria for failing to properly introduce into national law Art. 6 (1) of the Habitats Directive, regarding the declaration of Natura 2000 protected areas. To address this issue, the caretaker government has drafted amendments to the Biodiversity Act, which, however, must be voted on by the 47th Parliament.
There more proceedings against Bulgaria have been initiated - for exceeding the norms of sulfur dioxide for the territory of the South-East region, for exceeding the values of fine dust particles and for delayed reporting of data related to the state of the marine environment.
Data from the Environment Ministry shows that as of November 29, 16 criminal proceedings for environmental violations have been opened against Bulgaria.
On December 10, Lichev signed an agreement with the Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences to develop specific and detailed conservation objectives at the protected area level for 22 protected areas of the Natura 2000 network.
New Minister and New Goals
Shortly before Christmas, parliament voted on the new regular government. Borislav Sandov, nominated by Democratic Bulgaria, was elected Minister of Environment.
The coalition agreement included environmental priorities like the closure of criminal proceedings, strengthening control over the implementation of legislation, lasting measures to improve air quality, and preventing illegal landfills. An important task is the development of the circular economy - a process in which businesses and citizens are encouraged to recycle or use products as much as possible to reduce waste. The protection of water, forests, animal and plant species is also a priority.
Because of the global problem with climate change and because of the Green Deal, Sandov was also appointed Deputy Prime Minister for Climate Policy. Sandov promised to fight corruption, more transparency and to improve the work of the RIEW. DT //
/DT/
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