National Climate Change Adaptation Strategy and Action Plan.

This document builds on the National Climate Change Risk and Vulnerability Assessment of the Bulgarian Economic Sectors (MoEW 2014) and draws extensively on the information, analyses, and recommendations of the nine sector assessment reports, the Disaster Risk Management Assessment report, and the report on the ‘Macroeconomic Implications of Climate Change’ (as listed in Annex 4). The development objectives of this project are to: Assess options to address climate risks across the economy; Formulate a National Climate Change Adaptation Strategy and Action Plan, which shall cover the period to 2030; and Strengthen capacity for implementation and cross-sector coordination on climate change adaptation. The structure of the document is as follows: Chapter 1 outlines climate change risks and vulnerabilities for economic sectors (agriculture, forestry, biodiversity and ecosystems, water, energy, transport, urban environment, human health, tourism, and disaster risk management considered as a cross-sectoral topic) as well as sector interrelationships in relation to these risks and vulnerabilities and macroeconomic consequences of climate change. In Chapter 2, the policy and institutional context of Climate Change Adaptation is discussed in terms of stakeholder awareness and knowledge, legal and institutional frameworks, ongoing actions and gaps, and barriers hindering CCA response. As a basis for development of CCA strategic objectives and actions, Chapter 3 presents Political, Economic, Social, and Technical (PEST) and Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) Analyses and guiding principles for strategy implementation. Chapter 4 develops strategic objectives and adaptation options and priorities, along with presenting key findings of the Cost-Benefit Analysis of implementing adaptation measures, and discussion of cross-cutting issues and financial resources. The National Programme and Action Plan is elaborated in Chapter 5 including operational objectives and specific actions. Chapter 6 presents conclusions on the way forward for the Strategy and Action plan including proposed arrangements for monitoring and reporting. A number of annexes provide further details on specific subjects. Annex 1 explains climate scenarios in the Bulgarian context. Annex 2 gives more analysis of sector interrelationships in relation to climate change risks and vulnerabilities. Full tables of Action Plans per sector, including details of proposed responsible institutions, resources, timelines, targets, and monitoring indicators are given in Annex 3 (including sectors as follows: agriculture; biodiversity and ecosystems; energy; forestry; human health; transport; environment). Annex 4 provides a list of sector assessment reports. Finally, the nine sector assessment reports, the Disaster Risk Management Assessment Report and the Macroeconomic Implications of Climate Change Analysis Report are presented as appendices to this report. The reader is directed to these assessment reports for more detailed and consolidated sector information and analysis than the overview given in this Strategy and Action Plan document.
The Bulgarian Government’s vision regarding climate change adaptation is as follows: “To develop the country’s highest possible level of resilience against climate change, by taking any measures needed and feasible, thus securing the undisturbed functioning of the country’s economic sectors, safeguarding its population’s health and well-being, and preserving its rich natural assets”. The ultimate goal is the natural environment, buildings and infrastructures, health and emergency services, as well as the key economic sectors to become not only resilient to the risks, but also ready to maximize opportunities. To achieve this goal, the MoEW will lead and coordinate action at the national level to reduce the vulnerability of natural, social, and economic systems in Bulgaria and to maintain and improve their capacity to adapt to the inevitable impacts of global climate change. The adaptation action will aim at building resilience of the society and businesses which are able to make timely and well-informed decisions to address challenges and opportunities presented by a changing climate. The vision for such a society has driven the set of general objectives in the Strategy and the choice of adaptation actions related to awareness rising, institutional and capacity building, and mainstreaming of climate change adaptation into the sectoral policies. The long-term objective of the NAS is as follows: “To proactively pursue long-term high-impact economic, social, and ecological resilience and sustainability, to allow Bulgaria’s citizens, private sector, and public institutions to adequately prepare and protect themselves against vulnerabilities deriving from climate change”.