site.btaDeputy Environment Minister Koleva: As EU Member, Bulgaria Is Part of Community with Some of Most Ambitious Climate Goals

Deputy Environment and Water Minister Reneta Koleva Thursday told BTA that being an EU Member State, Bulgaria is part of a community which has set itself one of the most ambitious climate goals on a global scale - net-zero emissions by 2050. Koleva is attending the COP29 UN Climate Change Conference in Baku.

This, however, is not enough, given that the EU generates only 7% of global emissions, said Koleva. "Therefore, our ambition in the climate negotiations that Bulgaria is conducting as an EU Member State is to negotiate a reduction in pollution by the major emitting countries, which would make it possible to limit climate warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius compared to the pre-industrial era. The other goal is to provide more serious funding for the countries most impacted by the effects of climate change, such as small island states."

The Deputy Minister also said that while emissions have been reduced, achieving the EU-wide target of a 55% reduction by 2030 compared to 1990 levels remains a challenge that requires a lot of effort and strategic national action on energy, transport, mobility and agriculture as sectors which are important for reducing emissions. One of the instruments in this regard is the EU Emissions Trading Scheme, whose new provisions include buildings and transport.

In this context, Bulgaria is faced with the challenge of developing a National Action Plan under the EU Social Climate Fund by June 2025.

This is a resource of EUR 2.5 billion from the EU and an additional 25% in national co-financing aimed at improving the building stock and reducing transport emissions, as well as supporting energy-poor households and micro-enterprises, Koleva said.

A special event at the Bulgarian Pavilion at COP29 focused on women, who, together with children, are one of the most vulnerable groups to climate change.

Although Bulgaria is among the countries at the forefront of gender equality, there is still much to strive for, including creating a favourable working environment and equalizing pay, the Deputy Minister said.