Integrated Policies Improving the Air Quality in Plovdiv

Topics: Climate Policy Climate Strategies and Plans

Countries: Bulgaria Croatia Germany Romania

EUKI project ClimAct CEE supported the Bulgarian city of Plovdiv in improving air quality for its citizens through the development of evidence-based climate policies. Through the successful pilot project, the city has transitioned toward lower-emission urban development. It analysed the energy consumption and emissions of the Trakia district and created a roadmap for a Decarbonised and Low-Emission Zone (DLEZ). The analyses helped to implement concrete measures in Trakia and support political decision-making processes. Today, they serve as the basis for assessing measures to reduce traffic in the city centre and for a planned ban on fossil fuel heating systems by 2030. The project has created an important foundation to ensure that local climate action measures can be based on robust data and well-founded decisions in the future. This strategic plan was continued by the City Council and the Plovdiv Energy Agency as part of the GINNGER project, funded by Horizon Europe.