Building on the success of last year’s “Green Cities are GREAT” conference, the British Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce (BBCC), in collaboration with the British Embassy and under the patronage of Sofia Municipality, is proud to present the 2025 edition of this impactful event. The conference serves as a high-level platform for dialogue, knowledge exchange, and cross-border collaboration on sustainable urban development.
In response to increasing global urgency around environmental challenges and climate resilience, Green Cities are GREAT 2025 will focus on urban sustainability, clean technology, and green infrastructure, connecting policy-makers, innovators, business leaders, and urban planners from Bulgaria and the UK.
When: 26 November, 13:00-19:30
Where: Hilton Sofia
Special Features this Year
- Afternoon Conference Format: Compact and focused afternoon sessions featuring expert panels, keynote presentations, and interactive discussions.
- Networking Reception: Immediately following the main conference, a networking reception will offer a relaxed environment for deepening connections, forging partnerships, and sparking new collaborations.
- UK Trade Delegation: A targeted UK delegation will join the event, creating new business opportunities and fostering trade and investment between the UK and Bulgaria in the green sector.
- Special Guests: Leading public figures and green experts from the UK.
- Green Expo Zone: A new Expo area will be introduced this year, giving sponsors and green tech companies the opportunity to showcase their products, services, and innovations to a curated audience.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Participation in the event offers opportunities ranging from keynote presentation,participation in expert panel discussions or moderating one, participation in a VIP Welcome reception hosted by the British Ambrassador, stand at the GreenExpo Zone. You can review the sponsorship packs here and get in touch with our team at sandrina.georgieva@bbcc.bg to discuss all the details.
Draft Agenda:
| 13:00 – 13:30 | Registration and networking |
| 13:30- 13:35 | Welcome note from BBCC Chair |
| 13:35 – 13:40 | Welcome note from Minister of Environment and Water (TBC) |
| 13:45 – 13:50 | Welcome note from Minister of Energy (TBC) |
| 13:50 – 13:55 | Welcome note from Nathaniel Copsey, British Ambassador to Bulgaria |
| 13:55- 14:00 | Welcome note from Vassil Terziev, Mayor of Sofia |
| 14:00- 14:20 | Keynote Presentation by Sam Evans Head of Natural Environment, Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) |
| 14:20- 15:10 | Climate Resilience & Adaptation Participants: • Trayko Mladenov, Mayor of Kostinbrod • Jacklin Tsocheva, Coca Cola HBC • Vesela Cherneva, European Council on Foreign Relations Objective: To explore how cities, industries, and infrastructure systems can prepare for, withstand, and recover from the impacts of climate change through strategic planning, innovative solutions, and inclusive adaptation. Subtopics: • Urban Climate Risk and Resilience Planning: – Identifying and mapping vulnerabilities (e.g. heat, flooding, drought) – Resilience strategies at municipal level (master planning, zoning updates) -Integrating climate risks into local policies and infrastructure decisions • Nature-Based Solutions (NbS): – Urban green spaces for cooling and air quality – Wetlands, rain gardens, and permeable surfaces for flood mitigation -Biodiversity preservation as a resilience tool • Critical Infrastructure and Adaptation Technologies: – Retrofitting existing infrastructure for climate extremes – Resilient energy grids and water systems – Early warning systems and climate-resilient ICT |
| 15:10- 15:40 | Coffee break |
| 15:40- 16:00 | Keynote Presentation by Shell – ‘’Transforming EV Charging in Europe‘’ by Karsten Weineich, Head of Customer Operations of Ubitricity |
| 16:00- 16:50 | Panel discussion – Urban Infrastructure Participants: •Vivacom •Oscar McDonald, Space Syntax •Blagoevgrad municipality, TBC Explore how urban infrastructure and planning can drive greener, more resilient cities through design, mobility, and integrated infrastructure. Emphasize cross-sector collaboration for implementing sustainable urban transformation. Subtopics: • Built Environment: – Sustainable architecture and green building standards (e.g. LEED, BREEAM) – Energy efficiency in residential and commercial construction – Mixed-use zoning and compact urban form •Transport: – Low-emission and public transport systems – Urban traffic planning and congestion reduction – Integration of active mobility (walking, cycling infrastructure) • e-Mobility: – Charging infrastructure in urban areas -Electrification of municipal fleets and public transport – Role of private sector and innovation (startups, mobility-as-a-service) |
| 16:50- 17:10 | Keynote Presentation |
| 17:10 – 18:00 | Panel Discussion – Digitalization and sustainability reporting Participants: • Ruse Municipality- tbc Objective: To explore how digital technologies and data-driven tools are transforming the way businesses and cities track, report, and improve their sustainability performance — with a focus on transparency, regulatory alignment, and operational efficiency. Subtopics: • Digital Tools for Sustainability: – Use of AI and automation in sustainability data management – Internet of Things (IoT) for real-time energy/waste tracking – Digital twins and predictive analytics in sustainability planning • Risk Management & Compliance: – Tracking environmental risks and regulatory exposure – Assurance and audit readiness in sustainability reporting – Cybersecurity and data integrity in ESG systems • Sustainable Finance & Investor Transparency: – Digital platforms for climate risk disclosure (e.g., CDP, TCFD) – Blockchain for carbon credits and green finance traceability – Role of fintech in green bonds and ESG investing |
| 18:00 – 18:05 | Final remarks and wrap up |
| 18:05- 19:30 | Networking reception |
About our keynote speakers:
Sam Evans
Head of Natural Environment, Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA)
Sam is Head of Natural Environment at GMCA, leading the Combined Authority’s work to improve the city region’s natural environment through developing strategy and policy, delivering key projects and working with a range of partners. This includes developing and delivering on the Greater Manchester Local Nature Recovery Strategy and Integrated Water Management Plan.
Sam joined GMCA in October 2018 on secondment from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs where most recently he was Head of Strategic Coordination. Before that, Sam held various roles in the civil service across several UK government departments.
Karsten Weineich,
Head of Customer Operations of Ubitricity
Karsten Weineich is the Head of Customer Operations at ubitricity, the UK’s largest public EV charging operator, with over 14,000 charge points across the UK, Netherlands, Germany, and France, being part of the Shell Group since 2021. Since joining ubitricity in 2021, Karsten has led the customer service function, ensuring a seamless experience for EV drivers and fostering long-term loyalty to the brand.
With more than 10 years of experience in the automotive industry and over 4 years in EV charging infrastructure, Karsten brings deep sector knowledge and operational expertise. He also serves as Head of Operations for ubitricity UK, where he focuses on the smooth rollout of public charge points, supporting the UK’s transition to sustainable mobility.
Karsten’s leadership is driven by a commitment to customer satisfaction, operational excellence, and accelerating the adoption of clean transport solutions.
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