Scientific Forum on Climate Concludes in Sofia on Thursday

Nikolay Zabov

Scientific conference on research and innovation for climate, Sofia, August 1, 2024 (BTA Photo/Nikola Uzunov)

Sofia,

01.08.2024 19:38

(BTA)

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Antarctica

The scientific conference entitled "Research and Innovation for Climate, Sustainability, and Citizens - From Local to National and Global Perspectives and Lessons Learnt for Better Policies, Practices, and Life" concluded here on Thursday.

The forum, hosted by the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration of the St Kliment Ohridski University of Sofia, was part of the programme accompanying the 61st session of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC-61), which is taking place in Sofia between July 27 and August 2.

The conference was comprised of four panels dedicated to public engagement with sustainable development, achieving zero emissions, Antarctic climate change research and the prospects for increased international cooperation in the field of marine polar research.

Dr Iliya Atanassov of the Faculty of Economics presented a survey conducted by the Faculty, which shows that some 73% of Bulgarians believe that reducing resource consumption is necessary for sustainable development.

Prof. Vanya Ivanova, an economist at Sofia University, reported that Bulgaria ranks last in terms of recycling rate, waste generation per capita and circularity rate.

Dr Vladimir Shopov of the European Council on Foreign Relations said that systemic changes come with personal behavioural changes.

The second panel looked at the path to zero net emissions and how the EU's strategic technology agenda can be applied in Bulgaria.

ETIPWind Project Manager Capucine Vannoorenberghe cited ETIPWind's research, according to which Bulgaria has great potential for wind energy production.

The third panel was opened by former environment minister Julian Popov, who said that serious educational programmes aimed at deepening understanding of climate issues and science have been emerging in Bulgaria.

The panel focused on Antarctica and the Southern Ocean as natural experimental environments for climate change and environmental observations.

Dr Rositsa Yaneva of the National Center for Polar Studies (NCPS) spoke about the need for Bulgaria to have its own National Polar Research Program.

The fourth panel focused on the first Bulgarian naval research vessel Sv. Sv. Kiril i Metodii (RSV 421) and the prospects for increased international cooperation in the field of maritime polar research.

Prof. Christo Pimpirev noted that the 33rd Antarctic expedition is currently being prepared and the Bulgarian Antarctic base is growing, thanks to the vessel.

Assoc. Prof. Rayna Hristova from the Institute of Oceanology at BAS reported on the work of marine geologists in Antarctica who study bottom sediments and their formation.

Climatologist Dr Hristo Popov told BTA that the forum was a diplomatic success for Bulgaria while also being an opportunity for Bulgarian scientists to present their work related to global climate change.

/MY/