In 2023, Bulgaria achieved the EU’s fifth-largest greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions cut since 1990 but still it remained the most carbon-intensive economy in the bloc with 968 gCO2-eq per euro of Gross Value Added, according to a new SeeNext analysis. Titled Decarbonization in Bulgaria: Fifth in cuts, first in carbon intensity, the report examines the country’s progress as it moves toward EU climate targets and the global goal of limiting warming to below 2 C above pre-industrial levels.
The study evaluates where carbon emission reductions are happening, where they are not and what is needed to accelerate the country’s path to net-zero.
The authors of the report say that a population decline of over 26% since 1990 has contributed to emission reductions, but per-capita progress lags behind the EU.
Energy use dominates emissions and the energy sector remained the largest emitter through 2023, followed by industry.
Also, Bulgaria is a net exporter of emissions: from 2010 to 2023, Bulgaria was one of the EU’s few net exporters of emissions, with production-based emissions exceeding those tied to domestic consumption.