Project number

PPA02/BG/9/2

Project title

Updating and extending the National Action Plan on Climate Change

Country

Bulgaria

Theme

Environment

Project purpose

To assist the Ministry of Environment and Water with the development and implementation of an updated and extended National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC), which is in conformity with the European Climate Change Programme (ECCP) and the Kyoto Protocol.

Project outline

Relevance for accession (acquis)
In June 2001 the EU adopted the European Climate Change Programme (ECCP). The aim of this programme is to identify the most efficient and effective measures to achieve an 8% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, as laid down in the Kyoto Protocol. Updating and extending the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) is in line with the ECCP and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The Bulgarian National Programme for the Adoption of the Acquis (NPAA) affirms the need to implement the NAPCC in order to meet the commitments made by Bulgaria under the UNFCCC and the Kyoto Protocol. This is identified as a medium-term priority.

Summary
Bulgaria ratified the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 1995 and signed the Kyoto Protocol in 1998. Under these agreements the country has committed itself to an 8% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions during the first period (2008-2012) in comparison with 1998.

The Kyoto Protocol was ratified by the EU in June 2002 and by Bulgaria in September 2002. This ratification will lead to the application of various measures aimed at reducing the emission of greenhouse gases.

The obligations flowing from the ratification of the Kyoto Protocol pose a major challenge for the Bulgarian authorities. The National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) was drawn up in 1996-1997; it was approved by the Council of Ministers on 6 July 2000. The NAPCC is a complex plan of activities, measures and policy proposals at various levels, which indicate the scope for achieving reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. The experiences with the application of the NAPCC until 2002 have made clear that this plan needs to be updated and extended in parts.

The Bulgarian Ministry of Environment and Water is responsible for fulfilling the obligations under the Kyoto Protocol and the UNFCCC. This means that the Ministry is responsible for co-ordinating, monitoring and implementing the NAPCC. The Interministerial Climate Committee has been set up, which is responsible for updating, extending and implementing the NAPCC. To update and implement the NAPCC in an efficient and effective way, it is important to involve NGOs, other representatives of civil society and businesses in the updating and implementation process. However, the Ministry and the Interministerial Climate Committee do not have sufficient knowledge and technical capacity to update and implement the NAPCC. The proposed project aims to provide the required knowledge and expertise.

Project results

·         A National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) is in conformity with the European Climate Change Programme (ECCP), relevant EU directives and the Kyoto Protocol;

·         a strengthened capacity at the Bulgarian Ministry of Environment and Water and the Interministerial Climate Committee to update and implement the NAPCC;

·         a (partial) implementation of measures and policies from the updated NAPCC through incorporation into strategies, programmes and plans of other government institutions;

·         enhanced public participation in the preparation and implementation of measures from the updated NAPCC.

Recipient(s)

Ministry of Environment and Water

Contractor

DHV Milieu en Infrastructuur B.V. in co-operation with Energieonderzoek Centrum Nederland (ECN) and CAP SD Capacity for Sustainable Development

Project budget

EUR 366,825

Project duration

01 January 2003 - 31 December 2004