site.btaSofia Mayor Calls for Setting Up Scientific Advisory Body to Help Improve Air Quality

Sofia Mayor Vassil Terziev believes that the air quality policies of the local administration should be supported by a scientific advisory body which should become operational in 2025. According to him, the first task of the future body should be to offer advice for a design specification for a new comprehensive and scientifically sound programme, with a specific goal in sight, regarding air quality control. Terziev set forth the idea on November 5 during the opening of a scientific conference on the challenges associated with ambient air quality measurements in Sofia in the context of climate change and the city’s geography.

Sofia Municipality has invested in air quality improvement for years, but the actions usually follow the events, Terziev said. He added that his administration wants Sofia Municipality to spearhead the “building of air quality” in the city by creating conditions for discussions involving everyone who can help. “The right policies can only be planned and implemented on the basis of knowledge derived from hard data,” the Mayor argued.

He singled out the designation of low-emission transport and heating zones in Sofia as one of the important future measures. The plan is for old motor vehicles of first and second eco category to be barred from the city centre between December 1, 2024, and February 28, 2025. The use of solid fuel for heating will be banned in nine boroughs from the start of 2025. Later, actions may be modified based on the effect of these initial steps.

The issue of air quality in Sofia can be addressed successfully if the local government works in close cooperation with the academic community and the NGO sector, with the administration acting as the lead party, and if the effort is based on reliable data, Terziev said.

Speaking to journalists before the conference, the Mayor said air quality in the capital is improving, although there are doubts about the reliability of the data. “Empirically, judging from opinions expressed by members of the public, we can say that this year there has been tangible improvement thanks to our efforts to wash the streets far more thoroughly, do more cleaning and grass cutting.” Terziev also noted that a campaign to replace heating appliances has also yielded positive results.

Speakers at the conference concurred with the Mayor that the municipal government should work together with scientists and NGOs to improve ambient air quality.

The event was organized by Sofia Municipality and held in the ceremonial hall of the University of Sofia.