Environmental Policies
#26Key Findings
With a cautious climate policy, Bulgaria falls into the lower-middle ranks internationally (rank 26) with regard to environmental policies. Its score in this area is unchanged relative to its 2014 level.
The country slightly exceeded renewable-energy use targets in 2020, with about 20% of total energy consumption coming from renewable sources. Half of this was provided by hydropower facilities. No new facilities were added to the system in 2021, and little progress has been made in phasing out polluting facilities.
Severe water shortages have been a problem in recent years, hampering industrial production. A state water company has been created in response. Half of the state’s environmental spending goes toward waste and water management.
The government has been reluctant to adopt aggressive carbon-reduction targets. The country has the EU’s third-largest share of territory falling under biodiversity protections.
The country slightly exceeded renewable-energy use targets in 2020, with about 20% of total energy consumption coming from renewable sources. Half of this was provided by hydropower facilities. No new facilities were added to the system in 2021, and little progress has been made in phasing out polluting facilities.
Severe water shortages have been a problem in recent years, hampering industrial production. A state water company has been created in response. Half of the state’s environmental spending goes toward waste and water management.
The government has been reluctant to adopt aggressive carbon-reduction targets. The country has the EU’s third-largest share of territory falling under biodiversity protections.
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How effectively does environmental policy in your country protect and preserve the sustainability of natural resources and environmental quality?
10
9
9
Environmental policy goals are ambitious and effectively implemented as well as monitored within and across most relevant policy sectors that account for the largest share of resource use and emissions.
8
7
6
7
6
Environmental policy goals are mainly ambitious and effectively implemented and are monitored within and across some of the relevant policy sectors that account for the largest share of resource use and emissions.
5
4
3
4
3
Environmental policy goals are neither particularly ambitious nor are they effectively implemented and coordinated across relevant policy sectors.
2
1
1
Environmental concerns have been largely abandoned.
Overall, developments in this area during the review period were encouraging, though much room for improvement remains. In 2018, Bulgaria ranked 30th out of 175 countries in terms of both environmental quality and environmental-protection policy according to the Environmental Performance Index (EPI). But after having significantly improved on previous years, the country’s performance deteriorated in 2020, as the country ranked 41st in the EPI (out of 180 countries). In 2020, all new EU members outperformed Bulgaria on this ranking.
In 2019-2020, certain industrial regions suffered severe water shortages as a result of mismanagement and poor weather conditions, which led to one large company, a steel processing factory, filing for bankruptcy. The government responded by establishing a State Water Company with financing equal to 1% of the country’s 2019 GDP, though the company is to date not operational and it remains unclear what this means for the 14 private water concessions already in place.
According to Natura 2000, Bulgaria ranks third in the EU in terms of how much of its territory (35%) constitutes protected areas. Only Slovenia and Croatia have a similar percentage of territories under biodiversity protection (37% and 36%, respectively).
In 2021, Bulgaria spent 3% of GDP on environmental protection, half of which came from the state budget and targeted waste and water management. National parks and protected habitats are financed by resources allocated via the Ministry of Environment and Waters and/or Ministry of Agriculture and Forest that amount to nearly 0.3% of GDP. Different EU programs contribute roughly the same amount of cash.
Pollution prevention and costs are covered by the private sector.
Climate change is addressed by policies to foster photovoltaic, wind and water power stations. Prior to 2020, renewables in electricity production accounted for 20% of final consumption (half of it provided by water power stations). No new facilities were added to the system in 2021. Bulgaria delayed efforts to harmonize its laws and regulations with the EU Renewable Energy Directive, particularly with regard to independent power producers. No progress has been registered in plans to phase out two “unclean” thermal power plants.
Citations:
2020 EPI Results, Yale University (https://epi.yale.edu/epi-results/2020/component/epi)
In 2019-2020, certain industrial regions suffered severe water shortages as a result of mismanagement and poor weather conditions, which led to one large company, a steel processing factory, filing for bankruptcy. The government responded by establishing a State Water Company with financing equal to 1% of the country’s 2019 GDP, though the company is to date not operational and it remains unclear what this means for the 14 private water concessions already in place.
According to Natura 2000, Bulgaria ranks third in the EU in terms of how much of its territory (35%) constitutes protected areas. Only Slovenia and Croatia have a similar percentage of territories under biodiversity protection (37% and 36%, respectively).
In 2021, Bulgaria spent 3% of GDP on environmental protection, half of which came from the state budget and targeted waste and water management. National parks and protected habitats are financed by resources allocated via the Ministry of Environment and Waters and/or Ministry of Agriculture and Forest that amount to nearly 0.3% of GDP. Different EU programs contribute roughly the same amount of cash.
Pollution prevention and costs are covered by the private sector.
Climate change is addressed by policies to foster photovoltaic, wind and water power stations. Prior to 2020, renewables in electricity production accounted for 20% of final consumption (half of it provided by water power stations). No new facilities were added to the system in 2021. Bulgaria delayed efforts to harmonize its laws and regulations with the EU Renewable Energy Directive, particularly with regard to independent power producers. No progress has been registered in plans to phase out two “unclean” thermal power plants.
Citations:
2020 EPI Results, Yale University (https://epi.yale.edu/epi-results/2020/component/epi)
Graph View
To what extent does the government actively contribute to the design and advancement of global environmental protection regimes?
10
9
9
The government actively contributes to international efforts to design and advance global environmental protection regimes. In most cases, it demonstrates commitment to existing regimes, contributes to their being advanced and has introduced appropriate reforms.
8
7
6
7
6
The government contributes to international efforts to strengthen global environmental protection regimes. It demonstrates commitment to existing regimes and occasionally contributes to their being advanced and/or has introduced some appropriate reforms.
5
4
3
4
3
The government demonstrates commitment to existing regimes, but does not contribute to their being advanced and has not introduced appropriate reforms.
2
1
1
The government does not contribute to international efforts to strengthen global environmental protection regimes.
While environmental sustainability issues are topics of concern within the Bulgarian government, successive governments have not sought to proactively shape international environmental and climate policies. While the country has a relatively large share of renewables in its energy mix, it is among the group of East-Central European countries that are comparatively cautious about adopting aggressive carbon reduction targets. Bulgaria also contributes relatively little to the Green Climate Fund.
Since 2019, and especially in 2021, in relation to the EU Green Deal and recovery plans, Bulgaria expressed its support and commitment, but did very little to make a difference. Bulgaria has directed only one-third of the EU resources earmarked for green goals as part of the Recovery and Resilience Plan for Bulgaria toward modern environmental investment projects.. The 2021 government, with the involvement of the Greens, is likely to attempt a more substantial involvement of Bulgaria in the global environmental protection.
Citations:
https://ec.europa.eu/info/business-economy-euro/recovery-coronavirus/recovery-and-resilience-facility/recovery-and-resilience-plan-bulgaria_en
Since 2019, and especially in 2021, in relation to the EU Green Deal and recovery plans, Bulgaria expressed its support and commitment, but did very little to make a difference. Bulgaria has directed only one-third of the EU resources earmarked for green goals as part of the Recovery and Resilience Plan for Bulgaria toward modern environmental investment projects.. The 2021 government, with the involvement of the Greens, is likely to attempt a more substantial involvement of Bulgaria in the global environmental protection.
Citations:
https://ec.europa.eu/info/business-economy-euro/recovery-coronavirus/recovery-and-resilience-facility/recovery-and-resilience-plan-bulgaria_en