The Bulgarian "Energy and Climate" plan will be presented to the EC before autumn

The Bulgarian Integrated National Plan "Energy and Climate" (INPEC) is already in an advanced phase and reflects the opinions of all those who participated in its public discussion. The caretaker government's plans with INPEC plan to be sent to the European Commission before autumn. This message to 3eNews Deputy Minister of Energy Krasimir Nenov. He participated in the international conference "Climate policies as an opportunity for investments in the development of the urban environment", which is being held today in Sofia. The event is part of the accompanying program of the 61st session of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

Nenov confirmed that the energy department is working in close coordination with the Ministry of Environment and Water regarding the creation of a precise and up-to-date document to be presented to the EC. "Final settings" of the plan, which were received following public consultation, are currently being drawn up.

We remind you that the EU countries must present their current "Climate and Energy" plans in Brussels by the end of June. However, very few countries were ready with the documents. Based on these INPEC plans, the future EU goal of climate neutrality and emission limitation in the coming decades will be created. The plan itself will also lead to serious changes in the operation of the coal regions.

Together with the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, we managed to develop a modern document that meets the most current views, measures and policies for the purposes of decarbonization, the internal energy market, energy efficiency and local communities, Nenov explains to the forum participants. The conference is part of our country's preparation for participation in the upcoming UN Climate Change Conference in 2024, COP29, which will be held in the Azerbaijani capital, Baku. The Bulgarian capital is hosting the scientific panel, and a statement will be prepared by world-renowned scientists, which will be presented in Baku.

The focus of the conference is mainly on municipal decarbonisation policies. In Bulgaria, two cities have the ambition to become climate neutral - Sofia and Gabrovo. Both cities are expected to achieve their climate neutrality in the coming decades.

Such a goal - to achieve decarbonization in 2030 is very ambitious, Nenov confirmed. In his words, for this ambitious goal, it will be necessary to take important measures regarding the decarbonization of the building stock, sustainable mobility, waste management and the electrification of cities, Nenov added. Research and innovation will also be key to getting the right 'anti-carbon' measures in place, consumers told the conference.

According to the deputy minister, climate policies can be beneficial for attracting investments in all regions of our country, especially in the coal regions. It is in the region of "Maritsa East" that a serious transformation towards new technologies in the decarbonization process is expected.

The principle of "leaving no one behind" is also an important element, and therefore social adaptability is a key priority in the process of decarbonization of local communities. According to Nenov, more resources and the right to implement policies at the local level for sustainable development are needed. It is at the local level that there are many niches for the development of innovations, according to Nenov.

Cooperation between local government, business and civil society is important for adapting to climate change. This was stated by the Acting Minister of Environment and Water, Petar Dimitrov, who opened the conference.

Climate change is one of the great challenges of our time, it is now indisputable, as IPCC colleagues found. Not only global and national measures should be taken, but also those at the local level, experts comment. The local government is closest to the people and it is clear how to implement the policies related to the mitigation of the effect of climate change and adaptation to the already existing changes, also introduced. According to him, society and business are actively involved in the activities for a healthier life and a cleaner environment.

The official minister reminded BTA about the restructuring of the Directorate "Climate Change Policies" into a General Directorate - a change aimed at helping local authorities to implement climate policies and adapt to climate change. Very soon there will be three new units in Gabrovo, Plovdiv and Stara Zagora to support the implementation of climate policies, informed Dimitrov.