site.btaEnvironment Minister: Air Pollution in Sofia Caused by Combination of Fog, Inversion, Already Existing Pollution

Environment and Water Minister Julian Popov Wednesday told bTV that air pollution in Sofia is caused by a combination of fog, inversion, lack of air currents and already existing pollution. He said that the main culprit is heating with solid fuels, tyres, wet wood, and coal. "The only solution is not to pollute," Popov added, recalling that the air quality in the country has been steadily improving in recent years.

He noted that the average air pollution levels are improving enough for Bulgaria to meet the EU air quality standards and to win a case filed by the European Commission for non-compliance with air quality rules.

"85% of public transport in Sofia is electrified. A process is underway to swiftly electrify both taxi and business transport, which will also help improve air quality," the minister noted.

Popov said that the participants in the Environment Council in Brussels discussed ways to meet the World Health Organization air quality guidelines at the European level. He added that "in order to meet them, we must give up internal combustion engines and solid fuel heating". "Bulgaria has been named the country that has registered the largest reduction in carbon emissions in the EU in 2023. This is due to the reduced production of electricity from coal-fired power plants, which operate at a loss," Popov added.