site.btaParliament to Debate Climate Change Mitigation Act Amendments

Parliament will consider at first reading amendments to the Climate Change Mitigation Act, tabled by the Council of Ministers, on Friday.

The bill, initially included in the 2024 EU Action Plan, has been rescheduled for the 2025 Plan after not being adopted this year, according to the sponsor.

The proposed amendments implement Directive (EU) 2023/959, establishing a new emissions trading scheme for the transport and buildings sectors and referencing the Social Climate Fund, which supports member states' social climate plans. The emissions trading scheme will be extended to cover maritime transport emissions, which must be monitored, reported, and verified. The objective is to promote the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in a cost-effective and economically efficient way.

According to the environment committee report, Directive (EU) 2023/958 will introduce significant reforms in the aviation sector. Starting in 2026, free emission allowances for aviation will be gradually eliminated to ensure the sector contributes more equitably to environmental objectives. Additionally, a mechanism will be implemented to offset the higher costs of sustainable aviation fuels relative to conventional kerosene. These measures aim to encourage the adoption of more sustainable fuels.

The bill establishes national measures to implement three EU regulations. It sets a long-term national goal to achieve climate neutrality and net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 at the latest, in accordance with the Paris Agreement and Regulation (EU) 2021/1119.

During Question Time, Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov and ministers Daniel Mitov, Georg Georgiev, Borislav Gutsanov, Krasimir Valchev, Georgi Tahov, Silvi Kirilov, Marian Bachev, and Manol Genov will respond to questions from Members of Parliament.