site.btaCooperation among Local Authorities, Businesses and Civil Society Important for Adapting to Climate Change - Environment Minister

Environment and Water Minister Petar Dimitrov told an international conference in Sofia on Tuesday that, in addition to global and national measures, climate change also calls for local-level initiatives. "Cooperation among local authorities, businesses and civil society is important for adapting to climate change," Dimitrov said. He noted that local governments are closest to the people and know how to implement the policies for mitigating the effects of climate change and adapting to a changed environment.

The conference discussed climate policies as an avenue for investing in the development of the urban environment. It was a sideline event of the 61st Plenary Session of the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, taking place in Sofia between July 27 and August 2.

Dimitrov noted that the Environment and Water Ministry's Climate Change Policy Directorate has been upgraded to a Directorate General to assist local authorities in implementing climate policies and adapting their communities to climate change. Three new offices will be inaugurated shortly in Gabrovo, Plovdiv and Stara Zagora, he added.