Sustainability Forum Sofia took place on the 26th September 2023 in Sofia. By having the forum, this year the Bulgarian Green Building Council celebrated the World Green Building Week - an international annual event of the World Green Building Council. The event was held under the World Green Building Week 2023  motto: #BuildingTheTransition. The World Green Building Network focuses on Green Transition and its three aspects as energy, regenerative and just transition.

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The forum was opened by the Minister of Environment and Water Yulian Popov, followed by Deputy Minister of Regional Development and Public Works Angelina Boneva. The official ceremony was also attended by Arch. Chris Halligan, Sustainable Building Technologist, Adina Welsh, BGBC Chairperson, and CEO of Raiffeisen Property Management Bulgaria,  as well as Lara Ivanova, founder of the St. George's School Sustainability Club, creator of Green Human Being.

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In his congratulatory address, Minister Julian Popov emphasized the huge role that buildings play as energy consumers and noted their potential to transform from carbon emitters into modern energy sources, mini-energy hubs, a natural element of the transition to zero emissions.

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Deputy Minister Angelina Boneva expressed her support for green construction, recycling of materials in the sector and also focused on the huge impact that buildings and infrastructure can have on reducing carbon emissions if innovative technologies and methods are used, both in the construction of facilities and in their operation and maintenance.

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The forum was attended by key local and international professionlists who represented big companies from the construction sector - investors, building materials and smart building systems producers, green building certification experts and legal advisors, specialized in the legal framework of green financing and ESG disclosure.

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The audience had the opportunity to see the presentations of: Eng. Dimitar Mankov, System Architect for Building Automation Solutions for Southeast Europe - Schneider Electric, Eng. Todor Dimitrov, Technical Consultant - Alukoenigstahl, Ekaterina Radeva, Head of Special Projects and ESG Initiatives - Business Park Sofia, Arch. Ludmila Pencheva, Owner of No Name Arch, Michaela Tsvetanova, Marketing and Business Development Director -Sotheby's Realty Bulgaria, Arch. Andrea Momerin, Arch., BGBC Advisory Board member, and owner at Momerin Awarded BREEAM Assessors, Katerina Novakova, Senior Attorney -Wolf Theiss and Arch. Vesela Valcheva-McGee, BGBC Board member and Managing Partner at Triple Green Building Group. The panel discussions, moderated by Diana Kanazireva, BGBC Advisory Board member, Director of Project Development, Marketing and Sales at OKOL Lake Park and Aglika Georgieva, Senior Sustainability and Risk Management Consultant at Deloitte Bulgaria gave our participants the opportunity to share their perspectives and professional experiences.

 

In conclusion, all experts agreed that sustainable construction is an integral part of the green transition path and only possible future for the generations that come after us."

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