World Wildlife Day and the European Climate Law: Protecting Health, Nature and the Future

On March 3rd, World Wildlife Day is observed, declared by the UN General Assembly in 2013 on the occasion of the signing of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). This year's theme is dedicated to medicinal and aromatic plants: preserving health, heritage and livelihoods, as stated on the initiative's official website.

In the context of the need for better protection of wildlife and the preservation of human health, including the conservation of plants and livelihoods, lies the topic of the European Climate Law, which turns the commitment of the European Green Pact to achieve climate neutrality by 2050 into a legally binding goal, introducing an interim target to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels, as stated on the European Commission's website.

Emission reductions, investments in clean technologies and environmental protection are part of the priorities. The law creates a framework for long-term climate policy planning, introduces monitoring and accountability mechanisms, and requires all European and national policies to be aligned with the goal of climate neutrality.

On June 24, 2021, the European Parliament (EP) approved the European Climate Law with 442 votes "for", 203 "against" and 51 "abstentions". The law was later adopted by the EU Council and published in the Official Journal of the EU, as stated on the EP website. 

Actions on the ground

At the end of 2025, the European Parliament and the Council also reached a political agreement on a binding interim target for a 90% reduction in net greenhouse gases by 2040, as part of the long-term transition to climate neutrality, the Ministry of Environment and Water (MOEW) said in response to BTA regarding our country's commitments under the European Climate Law.

Within this regulatory framework, the MOEW performs a coordinating and controlling function with regard to national policies for decarbonization and climate adaptation. The Ministry is actively involved in the development and implementation of the Integrated Energy and Climate Plan, the Long-Term Low-Carbon Development Strategy and the accountability mechanisms, the eco-ministry further stated.

Need for flexibility

The European Climate Law does not prescribe specific policies or measures, which allows flexibility for the Member States and takes into account the regulatory framework for achieving the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, commented for BTA Plamen Peev, an expert on environmental and climate law and policies at the "BlueLink" Foundation, part of the "Climate Coalition". According to him, more specifics are needed in the implementation of the country's set goals. According to Peev, greater involvement of the scientific and expert community is needed on the path to climate neutrality. The expert also draws attention to the role of national legislation, pointing out that the effective implementation of the European Climate Law depends on how national frameworks create conditions for long-term planning, transparency and public participation in climate policies.

Bulgaria in the international climate dialogue

As part of the EU's goals to achieve climate neutrality, Bulgaria participates in the international dialogue on the topic. Our country was also represented at the last edition of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP) in Brazil in 2025. There, progress on the implementation of the Paris Agreement and recommendations for follow-up actions were discussed. Bulgaria continues to monitor international trends in the field of climate policies and to draw experience from the global dialogue on the topic. The MOEW then told BTA that our country's participation in the COP complements the implementation of the European Climate Law at the national level and Bulgaria's commitments within the framework of the EU's common climate policy.

The topic of the European Climate Law is within the scope of the BTA project for the implementation of European legislation in Bulgaria. More information can be found in the BTA's "EU Law BG" rubric.