site.btaFor the Nature Environmental Association: Climate Social Plan Requires Urgent Revisions to Reach the Most Vulnerable

Fifteen leading civil society, business, and consumer organizations in Bulgaria have submitted a joint position calling for revisions to the national Climate Social Plan (CSP) to ensure it reaches the most vulnerable groups.

Bulgaria is set to distribute BGN 5 billion through the CSP between January 1, 2026, and December 31, 2032, aiming to support energy- and transport-poor households and microenterprises. This compensation is intended to soften the expected moderate price increases in gasoline, diesel, natural gas, and transport services resulting from the new EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS 2) set to begin in 2027. ETS 2 will place a price on carbon emissions from fossil fuels used in buildings, road transport, and microenterprises, pushing for a transition to low- or zero-emission energy sources.

Despite positive aspects such as increased resources for building renovation, intercity transport, and mobile health-social services, the current CSP draft significantly underestimates the impact of ETS 2 on vulnerable groups, the organizations warn. The plan also heavily relies on administrative execution, despite limited municipal capacity. Additionally, it allocates substantial funding for 100% renovation subsidies for multifamily buildings regardless of the residents’ social status.

Bulgaria still lacks a national methodology to identify energy-poor households, creating risks of opaque and unfair resource distribution. The criteria for identifying transport-poor households are also vague, making it difficult to measure the effectiveness of planned measures.

“This plan is a good starting point for addressing energy and transport poverty among households and microenterprises,” said Teodora Peneva, Senior Climate and Energy Expert at WWF Bulgaria, “but unfortunately many of the measures are poorly targeted, lack transparency, and are overly complex for municipalities to implement effectively.”

Among the organizations endorsing the statement are WWF Bulgaria, Za Zemiata (For the Earth), EnEffect, the Bulgarian-Austrian Consultancy Company, Habitat Bulgaria, the Active Consumers Association, and Greenpeace Bulgaria.