Bulgaria 2003
Air
Air emissions - Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air polution and its related Protocols
Impact
Àir pollution released from stationary and mobile sources effects the air quality, the composition of precipitation, and soil and water. The dispersal of pollutants is not affected by national boundaries, and they can be dispersed in long distances from their sources.
Bulgarian agreements and national legislation
The objectives of the UNECE Geneva Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Polution are to assess and control transport of pollutants between countries. Bulgaria ratified the Convention in 1981 as well as its related Protocols – EMEP Protocol /1985/, Sulphur Protocol /1985/, Nitrogen Protocol /1988/, VOCs Protocol /1991/, Second Sulphur Protocol /1994/, and Protocol on Heavy metals.
SO2
Completed agreements
In 1993 the SO2 emissions were reduced by 31% compared to their level in 1980. In 2000 the emissions were 982 000t and it is below the Bulgaria’s commitment for 2010.
Measures
It is planed a DeSOx system to be installed in TPP Maritsa East II with capacity 90%. It will reduce the SO2 emissions by 126 000 t/y, or 15% of the national emissions.
NO2
Completed agreements
The Bulgarian commitment for 1994 was to keep the 1987 level of emissions. The forecast for emissions level in 2010 is between 215 and 290 t/y, which means that the maximum expected decrease is 43% compared to the level of 1990
Measures
Directive 88/609/EC on the limitation of emissions of certain pollutants into the air from large combustion plants is transposed into the national legislation. According to Directive 96/61/EC concerning integrated pollution prevention and control the licenses for installations, which are built based on the Best Available Technologies /BAT/ will be introduced in 2003
NMVOCs
Completed agreements
The national commitments foreseen in the National Strategy for emissions reduction for the period 1991-1995 have been fulfilled.
Measures
Bulgaria has adopted a National Strategy on Environment and Action Plan for the period 2000 – 2006. One of their main tasks is the implementation of the VOCs Protocol measures to meet the requirements of Directive 94/63/EC on the control of volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions resulting from the storage of petrol and its distribution from terminals to service stations (transposed into the national legislation in 1999) and Directive 99/13/EC on the limitation of emissions of volatile organic compounds due to the use of organic solvents in certain activities and installations (in process of transposition)
Heavy metals
Completed agreements
The national commitments related to reduction of Pb, Cd, and Hg emissions in 2010 compared to 1990 are respectively: 60%, 58% and 56%.
Measures
At present Bulgaria is implementing a Bulgarian National Program for Phasing out the Use and Production of Leaded Petrol. According to the Action plan of this program after 2003 Bulgaria will stop producing and using the leaded gasoline.
The requirements of Directive 96/61/EC on the Best Available Techniques /BAT/ will be introduced in Bulgaria in 2003.
Last update on March 2003