Due to its unique topography and climate, Bulgaria is unusually rich in biodiversity. Unfortunately, due to industrial pollution, municipal waste, and agricultural runoff, some of these species are facing extinction. The World Resources Institute also supports the development of Bulgaria's national environmental action program. Working groups consisting of distinguished local environmental professionals were established to assist in policy analysis and to provide continuity with national decision-makers. The participation of indigenous professionals provides the advantages of local expertise and long term sustainability to the policy process.
Project teams explore numerous approaches to sustainable economic recovery and growth.
Their activities cover economic instruments for environmental management including full-cost pricing for environmental services and decentralized pollution control programs, and environmental liability issues and finance. In Stara Zagora, residential, municipal, commercial and many industrial facilities provided heating by burning heavy oil and, in some cases, coal. Consequently, concentrations of SO 2 and particulates in the city were more than twice Bulgaria's legal standards. EAPS developed the technical specifications and financed the conversion of boilers in 21 municipal facilities, while the city contracted for the conversions and incurred all connection costs, and a gas distribution company installed the gas supply network under the city's streets. Conversion of all 21 facilities was completed in the spring of 1998.