SOCIO-ECONOMIC CHALLENGES IN THE TRANSITION TO A LOW-CARBON ECONOMY AT REGIONAL LEVEL IN BULGARIA

A number of dynamic events have taken place in recent years, leading to an uncertain global and national situation. One of these is the signing of the European Green Deal, which attempts to make Europe a climate-neutral continent. This, in turn, has further worsened the situation of some European countries, including Bulgaria. The presence of three active coal mining complexes in the country largely exposes it to serious challenges in the transition stages and hinders the finding of appropriate methods and instruments to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. The aim of the study is to explore the main socio-economic challenges in the transition to a low-carbon economy at a regional level and to present some of the author's views on limiting the negative impacts on regional development. The analysis of the available data shows that the sustainable dimensions of the three coal mining regions is highly threatened.