A ban on the use of wood and coal stoves in nine Sofia districts comes into effect from today. This was announced by the Sofia Municipality in response to a request from BTA.
The low-emission zone for domestic heating comes into effect from January 1.
The ban on the use of wood and coal stoves will be in effect for the Sofia districts of "Vazrazhdane", "Izgrev", "Ilinden", "Krasno Selo", "Lozenets", "Oborishte", "Sredets", "Studentski", "Triaditsa". About 1,600 households will be affected by the restriction.
What goals does the Sofia Municipality set with its introduction?
The introduction of the zone is in implementation of a decision of the Sofia Municipal Council from the end of 2022 and aims to reduce air pollution. Wood and coal heating is the biggest air pollutant. The total share of pollution from domestic heating is 56%, and in winter 80% of the excesses of fine dust particles are due to domestic heating using solid fuel, the Sofia Municipality indicated.
The introduction of a low-emission zone for domestic heating is part of the systematic efforts of the administration of Vasil Terziev to improve air quality in the capital, which also include limiting unregulated waste incineration; reducing emissions from cars, for which a low-emission zone was also introduced; limiting secondary dusting, which is addressed with strict control over construction companies, with the elimination of muddy spots and more frequent washing of the streets; expanding the green system and others, the Municipality added.
How will it monitor violations?
The control of combustion will be carried out by the mobile teams of the Sofia Inspectorate, assisted by the "Emergency Assistance and Prevention" Directorate of the Sofia Municipality. They will carry out standard patrols and respond to signals from citizens. The fire tower in the district will also be available to the inspecting inspectors. "Faculty", which has four stationary and one mobile camera for detecting smoky areas, as well as two drones, which will carry out periodic control in the perimeter of the risk zones and are ready to react in case of signals, informed the Municipality.
The Sofia Municipality will continue in 2025 to strengthen the capacity of the Inspectorate with new, even more technological means for monitoring air pollution and controlling violators.
What will the sanctions be and how will they be applied and collected?
The fine for violators is from 50 to 500 leva, and the sanctions will be imposed in accordance with Art. 41a and Art. 41b of the Clean Air Act.
What effects does the Sofia Municipality expect with the introduction of the zone?
Air pollution affects everyone, but has a particularly harmful impact on vulnerable groups, such as the elderly and people with pre-existing diseases, children and people living in difficult socio-economic conditions, the Municipality indicated. Cities with low-emission zones report significant improvements in air quality. Cleaner air has also been proven to lead to improvements in people's health, including a reduction in respiratory diseases, improved cardiovascular health, improved general well-being, reduced healthcare costs for citizens, and more, they added.
What are the other measures of the Sofia Municipality to combat dirty air?
The introduction of a low-emission zone for domestic heating is just part of the efforts of the Sofia Municipality to improve air quality and ensure a healthier environment in Sofia. These also include limiting emissions from cars, a program to replace solid fuel stoves with more environmentally friendly alternatives, limiting unregulated waste incineration, removing mud points to limit secondary dusting, which is addressed with strict control over construction companies, as well as increasing green areas, etc. Streets are now being washed more often than before, which is also a proven solution for improving air quality, the Sofia Municipality informed.
As of December 1, the low-emission zone for cars with an extended scope, which imposes restrictions on the movement of motor vehicles from the first and second eco-groups, has been in effect. It will be valid during the winter months - from December 1, 2024 to February 28, 2025, and was adopted by a decision of the Sofia Municipal Council at the end of 2022.