Minister Dimov Participates in EU Environment Council in Luxembourg

Sofia/Luxembourg, June 20 (BTA) - Bulgaria's Environment and Water Minister Neno Dimov participated in a regular meeting of the EU Environment Council in Luxembourg. On June 19 the Council discussed two legislative proposals to cut emissions in sectors not covered by the emissions trading scheme: the effort-sharing regulation and the regulation on land-use, land-use change and forestry. The EU is committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 40 per cent by 2030 compared to 1990 levels, Dimov's ministry said on Tuesday.

To reach the target, the reduction will amount to 43 per cent in sectors covered by the emissions trading scheme (ETS) and 30 per cent in non-ETS sectors, in both cases by 2030 compared to 2005. Bulgaria's target is the lowest - 0 per cent.

The ministers discussed the decision of the United States to withdraw from the Paris Agreement. The Bulgarian side expressed regret and said the implementation of the agreement should continue. Dimov reaffirmed this country's commitment and underscored that progress should be made in the negotiation of technical rules for the application of the Paris Agreement provisions. The future process should be mutual trust and encouragement of effective implementation of commitments stemming from the agreement.