Background information

The decree defines the procedure for preparing the Social Climate Plan (SCP) of the Republic of Bulgaria, and its amendments, the bodies and structures responsible for preparing and managing the implementation of the Plan, and their main functions. The Social Climate Plan of the Republic of Bulgaria is a national strategic document, developed in line with Regulation (EU) 2023/955 on the Social Climate Fund. Its purpose is to mitigate the social and economic impacts of the new Emissions Trading System (ETS2), which will cover the building sector and road transport. The draft of the SCP is currently open for public consultation.

Content of measure

The Social Climate Fund (SCF) was established under the 'Fit for 55' legislative package and represents a key instrument for mitigating the social consequences of the expansion of the European Union Emissions Trading System (ETS2). Its aim is to support vulnerable households, micro-enterprises, and transport users who will be affected by rising fuel and energy prices as a result of the green transition.

In line with its commitments under Regulation (EU) 2023/955, Bulgaria is developing a Social Climate Plan (SCP) – a strategic document that includes a set of structural measures, temporary income support, and technical activities for the effective and inclusive implementation of ETS2 policies. The Plan is closely linked to the national climate and energy framework and complements the Integrated National Energy and Climate Plan (INECP), the Long-term Strategy for the Renovation of the Building Stock, and the Territorial Just Transition Plans.

Support for vulnerable households – through measures for energy efficiency, direct compensation for rising energy and transport costs, and targeted policies to eliminate energy poverty.

Measures in the building sector – energy renovation of residential buildings, decarbonisation, replacement of heating technologies, and infrastructure development aimed at reducing carbon emissions and lowering heating costs.

Measures in the transport sector – policies and investments in clean mobility, sustainable and public transport, and compensatory mechanisms to address the increase in fuel and transport service costs

Use of measure

n/a

Target groups

Workers	Businesses	Citizens
Applies to all workers	Applies to all businesses	Applies to all citizens

Actors and funding

Actors	Funding
National government Social partners jointly Other social actors (e.g. NGOs) Public employment service	European Funds National funds

Social partners

Social partners' role in designing the measure and form of involvement:

	Trade unions	Employers' organisations
Role	Consulted	Consulted
Form	Direct consultation outside a formal body	Any other form of consultation, institutionalised (as stable working groups or committees) or informal

Social partners' role in the implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:

• Social partners jointly
• Main level of involvement: Peak or cross-sectoral level

Involvement

In the Inter-ministerial Working Group: Social partners (CITUB, Podkrepa, BIA, BCCI, KRIB, AIKB) are expected to be members of the group drafting the SCP, so they can shape the priorities and the design of support measures. In the Consultative Council for SCP implementation: They will participate alongside ministries, municipalities, and NGOs, providing feedback, monitoring, and recommendations during the roll-out of the plan. Proposal for a 'Social Climate Observatory': Employer organisations and unions jointly suggested the creation of such a body to monitor energy poverty, track the effects of measures, and ensure transparency. Municipalities (via NAMRB): Will have a central role in implementing local measures — energy renovations, social assistance, clean mobility projects — and feeding back practical information on beneficiaries’ needs. NGOs and civil society: Expected to contribute with expertise on energy poverty, consumer protection, vulnerable groups, and to monitor environmental and social impacts.

Views and reactions

Civil and environmental NGOs (e.g. Za Zemiata, WWF, Greenpeace, Habitat Bulgaria): Generally support the idea of a Social Climate Plan but highlight weaknesses: lack of clarity on timeline and stages of preparation, very short deadlines, missing environmental assessment, and risk of inadequate coordination so close to the submission deadline. Employers’ organisations and trade unions (AOBE / BIA / BCCI / KRIB / AIKB together with CITUB and Podkrepa): In a joint statement ('Social Climate Plan – 4+2'), they insist that social partners must be active participants in the inter-ministerial working group and in the consultative council for implementation. They propose creating a 'Social Climate Observatory' to monitor energy poverty and oversee implementation, with the participation of both social partners and state institutions. NAMRB (National Association of Municipalities in Bulgaria): Notes that municipalities will play a key role in implementing SCP measures and announces that they will provide an official opinion on draft version 1.0 of the Plan.

Sources

• 11 April 2025: Постановление № 24 от 8 април 2025 г. за организация и координация на подготовката на Социалния план за климата на Република България и за определяне на органите и структурите, отговорни за неговата подготовка и управление, и на техните основни функции (dv.parliament.bg)