Journalists and experts: It’s time for national policies on climate adaptation

The majority of Bulgarians are well-informed about climate change and its consequences. The best journalistic approach to climate issues is the regular presentation of scientifically sound information with a practical focus on solutions and adaptation. These were some of the conclusions reached by the participants in the final informational and training session of the 3CTV project (“Capacity for Quality Climate Reporting”), which took place yesterday (May 19, 2026) at BNT. The event, titled “New TV Stories on Climate,” was organized by the BlueLink Foundation and brought together journalists from public television with two leading experts from the fields of science and governance—Professor Emil Gachev, head of the “Water” section at ICAW (Institute for Climate, Atmosphere, and Water Research) at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, and Julian Popov, senior policy advisor at “Strategic Perspectives” in Brussels and former Minister of Environment and Water.

The session was opened by Genoveva Radeva, Deputy Director of “Information TV and Online Content Development” at BNT, and by Pavel Antonov, Managing Editor of “BlueLink,” who led and moderated the entire discussion. Teodora Stoyanova from the ECF (European Climate Foundation) and Katerina Kostadinova from the Friedrich Ebert Foundation – Bulgaria (FES) expressed their greetings to the participants and their satisfaction with the progress of the 3CTV project. The event also featured the presentation of the FES publication “Climate Change in Bulgaria – From Scientific Data to Economic and Social Decisions,” which includes materials from the 3CTV training program held in September 2025.

Yesterday’s training session featured several panel discussions, the first of which was dedicated to the television segment “The Climate: The Hot Truth,” created by BNT as part of the 3CTV project and broadcast on the program “Around the World and Here at Home.” The discussion included an analysis of the practical experience gained from over 20 segments aired, access to scientific sources, ethical considerations, and the challenges of addressing climate skepticism. The authors shared their experience that the most effective way to reach the audience on climate issues is through the regular publication of compelling human stories and science-based information, with a strong emphasis on possible solutions and concrete adaptation measures. In other words, a journalistic piece on climate change should encourage people to see themselves as part of the solution, rather than as passive victims of a climate catastrophe.

Konstantin Ivanov of the ECF made an important contribution to the discussion on climate skepticism. He cited a study indicating that over 70% of Bulgarians are “climate realists” who are well aware of the reality of climate change. “Overall, climate skepticism is declining because people are increasingly experiencing the effects of climate change,” said the representative of the European Climate Foundation. “We must insist that the government do its job. Policies for climate adaptation are needed,” added Konstantin Ivanov.

A moment from Professor Emil Gachev’s presentation (on the right in the photo). Photo: BlueLink

Prof. Emil Gachev of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (BAS) echoed the observations made so far, delivering a detailed presentation on the impact of climate change on water resources in Bulgaria. According to him, one of the effects on our country is the decline in water resources, a trend that has already begun and will continue over the coming decades. The renowned hydrologist also added a note of confidence and optimism. “I believe we can overcome the challenges posed by climate change. We must urge the government to take the necessary adaptation measures,” the Bulgarian scientist stated emphatically.

The afternoon panel was led by Yulian Popov, who analyzed the benefits for Bulgaria of emissions trading within the European Union. The former Minister of Environment and Water argued that the way the state uses revenue from carbon emissions is unproductive and could be effectively invested in initiatives beneficial to the country, including the modernization of industry or the financing of the country’s energy transition.

The event concluded with the presentation of certificates to the television journalists who completed the program, as well as a group photo of the participants with Yulian Popov. Overall, the event established the 3CTV project as a successful model for building capacity for high-quality, science-based journalism in Bulgaria.

A moment from the discussion featuring Julian Popov. Photo: BlueLink

Yesterday’s seminar served both as a recap and a direct follow-up to the previous activities under the 3CTV project. The key event was the specialized training program on September 11 and 12, 2025, in which ten journalists from BNT's "Around the World and at Home" and its regional centers worked directly with leading Bulgarian and international climate experts and scientists. The direct result of this training was the aforementioned segment “Climate: The Hot Truth” in BNT’s news programs. By April 2026, over 20 original reports had been broadcast on national television, covering topics such as drought, wildfires, agricultural adaptation, the health effects of heatwaves, and the socioeconomic dimensions of the energy transition.

The 3CTV project launched in 2025 as a partnership between the BlueLink Foundation and BNT, with the support of the European Climate Foundation, with the primary goal of building a sustainable bridge between the scientific community and national broadcasting, translating the complex subject of climate change into language that citizens can understand.
 

"BlueLink" is implementing the project with co-funding from the European Climate Foundation.