site.btaEnvironment Minister, French Ambassador Discuss Current Topics on Environmental Protection

Caretaker Minister of Environment and Water Julian Popov discussed current topics on environmental protection with the Ambassador of France to Bulgaria Marie Dumoulin, the Ministry's press centre reported on Friday.

A topic raised by the French side was the import of batteries and solar panels. Popov shared the view that this is a common European issue and explained that the possibility of reducing fees for companies operating in this sector is being considered. No decision has been made yet, but the Minister expressed his position on finding a workable solution on this issue, the press release states.

Dumoulin stated that she has the ambition to work with Bulgaria on projects in various areas that are part of the European policy agenda. One of these areas is energy - nuclear, solar and hydroelectric energy. She also emphasized that the French side is strongly committed to the topic of protecting the seas and oceans and preserving marine biodiversity. Dumoulin raised the issue of two important initiatives for France related to the oceans - the Agreement to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement) and the intergovernmental ocean monitoring centre Mercator Ocean International. 

In response, Popov confirmed the country's ambition to ratify the BBNJ Agreement soon. He explained that the package of documents has been prepared and is expected to be considered by the Council of Ministers. The Minister said that the Ministry of Environment and Water has a partnership role with the leading institution under Mercator - the Ministry of Education and Science, and confirmed the importance of the development of marine and ocean sciences, as well as of such an ocean monitoring centre.

Regarding renewable energy, Popov said that it is important to expand wind and solar energy in the country, adding that work continues towards the decarbonization of the industry through investments and innovations to reduce carbon emissions, including through new technologies, energy efficiency and the transition to clean energy. The French Ambassador said that in order to achieve decarbonization and energy efficiency, it is necessary to achieve a balance between nuclear, solar and hydroelectric energy.  

Regarding the European Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), Ambassador Dumoulin stated that in order to address the current crisis, it is important to work on a long-term strategy for reducing emissions, while maintaining the current form of the ETS. Popov noted that instruments such as the ETS should not be seen as a regulatory burden, but as a powerful driver for technological modernization and economic security. He said that the scheme is a significant source of revenue for each Member State, which has the potential to activate additional investments in the decarbonization and modernization of European industry. 

The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) was also among the topics of conversation. Popov informed that the CBAM could fulfil its role of protecting carbon-intensive industries against the risk of unfair displacement to countries with weaker environmental standards, but it is important for the Bulgarian State to closely monitor its implementation. Meetings are being held with representatives of the industry and state institutions that have a bearing on the topic in order to take into account the different points of view when preparing a national position.