The first green buildings in Bulgaria will be built in the next couple of years. Work has begun on a project for a seaside resort in Bulgaria which will have zero carbon dioxide emissions, Colliers International Bulgaria Executive Director Atanas Garov said. The first stage of the project is expected to start within the next two or three years, BTA reports.

The energy in the village will be fully provided by renewable energy sources.

Garov said that most of the technologies for green or sustainable building are still unfamiliar to the Bulgarian experts so that such buildings are for now designed by foreign companies.

The investment in a green building is about two per cent higher than in conventional ones, Garov said, adding that in real terms, this is between 30 and 50 U. S. dollars per square meter.

Bulgaria is to introduce the European classification of buildings in terms of harmful emissions and energy efficiency. As of January 2008 this becomes compulsory for the older EU member states.