Sofia, December 8 (BTA)- The effectiveness of a low-emission zone in reducing total emissions in Sofia will depend on the territory that the restrictions will effectively cover, show the results of a study on "Low-emission Zone in Sofia: Projected NO2 and PM Emissions Benefits". The report was presented by Swedish Ambassador to Bulgaria Katarina Rangnit within the Swedish week (December 6-12), organized by the Swedish-Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce.

The study was conducted by the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) in 2020 on behalf of the Clean Air Fund. It investigates the impact of a low-emission zone in Sofia on vehicular emissions of harmful air pollutants, using real emissions data from European vehicles of the TRUE initiative, information on the composition of registered cars in Sofia, and the remote measurements made by Green Sofia of emissions from 20,000 cars back in 2017.

The use of private cars is one of the main sources of air pollution in Sofia, and the city's population has become increasingly motorized in the last few years, experts say.

It is important to have strategies with clear goals to fight pollution, Rangnit said during the presentation of the study's results. According to her, municipalities should limit parking in the central parts; parking lots should be created on the outskirts of the city with an easy transfer to public transport. She stressed that old cars are also a problem, and noted that there should be appropriate sanctions for violations. Political will and a large-scale awareness-raising campaign on restrictions for air quality improvement are needed, added Rangnit.

Expectations are that the first low-emission zone for cars in Sofia will be introduced next year.

/YV/