Report on – 33rd IC Resolution 7: Disaster laws and policies that leave no one behind (33IC/19/R7) – Bulgaria

Has your State/National Society/Institution incorporated the commitments contained in this resolution into the relevant strategic or operational plans?

The commitments are incorporated into:
Strategy
Policy
Operational plan

At the International, Regional, National, Local level

Explanation:

A National Strategy for Adaptation to Climate Change and an Action Plan to implement it were adopted. The document outlines the strategic framework and priorities for climate change adaptation until 2030. The aim is reducing the country’s vulnerability to climate change’s effects and improving the capacity of ecological, social and economic systems adaptation to these effects.

In 2022, Bulgaria adopted a long-term strategy for mitigating climate change until 2050.

Under the “Environmental Protection and Climate Change” Programme contracts have been concluded and projects are being implemented for the increased ability of local communities to reduce emissions and adapt to a changing climate. The projects are aimed at conducting educational and informational campaigns to raise awareness regarding the reduction of climate change; application of technologies for mitigation and adaptation to climate change; implementation of innovative measures to reduce the impact and adapt to climate change in Bulgarian municipalities, ensuring the ground capacity to fight forest fires and prepare the population for response; completion of the system for early warning and notification of the population at the district level; risk analysis, monitoring and implementation of prevention and protection measures in adverse geodynamic processes – landslides, collapses, erosions, abrasions.

Permanent and continuous monitoring of hydro-meteorological conditions in the country is ensured and issuing daily forecasts and timely warnings of upcoming dangerous hydro-meteorological phenomena, thus enabling responsible institutions to carry out prevention in order to reduce the adverse effects of natural disasters of hydro-meteorological origin.

In 2022 the Republic of Bulgaria signed the UNICEF Intergovernmental Declaration on Children, Youth and Climate Action. One of the goals of the declaration is increasing the participation of children and young people in the processes of reducing the effects of climate change by raising awareness, as well as facilitating the acquisition of knowledge and skills that contribute to a safe and sustainable future.

Under the Programme Environment 2021-2027 green infrastructure projects are financed, including protection and improvement of existing green areas in cities and suburban environments and establishment of new green infrastructure. Nature-based Solutions for Flood Risk Reduction are also be supported. The total cost of the measures is approximately 100 million Euro.

Bulgaria is a part from the European Commission plans to achieve the “3 Billion Additional Trees Pledge”. The national campaign has been launched in 2022 and the plan is to plant 100 million trees by 2030. The initiative should increase the area of forest and tree coverage, to increase the resilience of forests and their role in reversing biodiversity loss and to mitigate the effects if climate change.

Has your State/National Society/Institution been working with other partners to implement the commitments contained in this resolution?

Partner with:
Government and/or public authorities
Humanitarian and development partners (e.g. UN, NGOs etc.)

Examples of cooperation:

• Under the “Environmental Protection and Climate Change” Programme contracts have been concluded and projects are being implemented for the increased ability of local communities to reduce emissions and adapt to a changing climate.
• In 2022 the Republic of Bulgaria signed the UNICEF Intergovernmental Declaration on Children, Youth and Climate Action. One of the goals of the declaration is increasing the participation of children and young people in the processes of reducing the effects of climate change by raising awareness, as well as facilitating the acquisition of knowledge and skills that contribute to a safe and sustainable future.
• Bulgaria is a part from the European Commission plans to achieve the “3 Billion Additional Trees Pledge”. The national campaign, launched in 2022, included an active participation of NGOs and youth organizations.

Have you encountered any challenges in implementing the commitments contained in this resolution?

Have the commitments contained in this resolution had an impact on the work and direction of your State/National Society/Institution?

Type of Impact:
Cooperation between Government/public authorities and National Society has been strengthened
Programming and operations have become more effective and efficient
Partnerships with other humanitarian actors have been created or enhanced

Have the commitments contained in this resolution had an impact on the communities that your State/National Society/Institution serves?

Description of the impact:

• Under the “Environmental Protection and Climate Change” Programme contracts have been concluded and projects are being implemented for the increased ability of local communities to reduce emissions and adapt to a changing climate. The projects are aimed at conducting educational and informational campaigns to raise awareness regarding the reduction of climate change; application of technologies for mitigation and adaptation to climate change; implementation of innovative measures to reduce the impact and adapt to climate change in Bulgarian municipalities, ensuring the ground capacity to fight forest fires and prepare the population for response; completion of the system for early warning and notification of the population at the district level; risk analysis, monitoring and implementation of prevention and protection measures in adverse geodynamic processes – landslides, collapses, erosions, abrasions.
• Bulgaria is a part from the European Commission plans to achieve the “3 Billion Additional Trees Pledge”. The national campaign has been launched in 2022 and the plan is to plant 100 million trees by 2030. The initiative should increase the area of forest and tree coverage, to increase the resilience of forests and their role in reversing biodiversity loss and to mitigate the effects if climate change.