Bulgaria’s Minister of Environment and Water Rositsa Karamfilova stated her country’s support for the introduction of legally binding European Union goals for nature restoration. This proposal complements and builds upon the existing legislative framework in the field of protecting and restoring ecosystems and biodiversity.
“To the extent that healthy ecosystems contribute to mitigating the effects of climate change, the proposal for a Regulation undoubtedly has the potential to support the fight against climate change,” underlined Minister Karamfilova.
In her intervention at a meeting in Brussels, at the end of December, she noted that in order to achieve the ambitious goals, the proposal must allow for planning flexibility. It is necessary to take into account that the countries with rich biological diversity and a high percentage of the territory in Natura 2000, among which is Bulgaria, must undertake more significant administrative and financial efforts.
“We find it appropriate that the contribution of the individual member states be individually determined, which will provide the opportunity to take into consideration national characteristics and socio-economic development,” emphasised Minister Karamfilova.
She also underlined that the restoration of ecosystems in the Southern and Southeastern regions of Europe – in the Mediterranean and continental biogeographic region and of the forest and water ecosystems, in particular, will require more time and funds due to geographical and climatic particularities, as well as considering the alarming trends of enhancement of extreme events resulting from changes in the regional climate. These factors need to be taken into account and accordingly reflected in the regulation proposal.
