Parliament Adopts Amendments to Climate Change Mitigation Act at Second Reading

Risida Dimitrova, Teodora Tsaneva

Parliament holds its regular sitting, Sofia, September 19, 2025 (BTA Photo/Nikola Uzunov)

19.09.2025 16:01

(BTA)

On Friday, Bulgaria’s Parliament adopted at second reading amendments to the Climate Change Mitigation Act, which transpose several EU directives and introduce national measures to implement three EU regulations.

Among the amendments is the transposition of Directive (EU) 2023/959, establishing a new emissions trading scheme for the transport and buildings sectors. The directive also refers to the Social Climate Fund, which provides funding for Member States' social climate plans. Emissions from maritime transport are also brought under the scope of the emissions trading scheme, and these must now be monitored, reported, and verified.

Amendments from Directive (EU) 2023/958 introduce key reforms in the aviation sector. Starting in 2026, free emission allowances for aviation will be gradually phased out, aiming for a fairer contribution of the sector to environmental goals. In parallel, a price compensation mechanism will be introduced for sustainable aviation fuels, which are significantly more expensive than traditional kerosene.

For the period January 1, 2024 – December 31, 2030, part of the total quota volume will be reserved for commercial aircraft operators for the use of sustainable and other non-fossil aviation fuels, as these are considered contributors to the minimum share of sustainable aviation fuel, according to the amendments.

The bill also sets a national long-term goal of achieving climate neutrality and net zero greenhouse gas emissions by no later than 2050, in line with the Paris Agreement and Regulation (EU) 2021/1119.

Under the amendments, the Energy Minister, in cooperation with the Environment and Water Minister, is tasked with preparing an Integrated National Climate and Energy Plan in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2018/1999. The Environment and Water Minister, with the support of the relevant ministers, must also draft a long-term national strategy for climate change mitigation, aimed at achieving the overall national goal of climate neutrality. This strategy must be approved by the Council of Ministers.

Today, Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) – United Left MP Dragomir Stoynev withdrew his proposal, which had been adopted yesterday by the Energy Committee. The proposal suggested that starting August 1, 2026, the revenues from the sale of quotas, which are spent by the Enterprise for Management of Environmental Protection Activities should increase by 1%.

/DD/