Environment – Climate Change

The international community began its efforts to protect the environment in the 1970s. Addressing environmental challenges, which have become increasingly pronounced in recent years, has gained significant international dimensions due to their complexity, interdependence, cross-border nature and global impact. Sustainable Development, Climate Change mitigation, Biodiversity and Ozone Layer protection, combating Desertification, tackling Environmental Pollution and Water Management are pressing environmental issues occupying the international community, as they also have socioeconomic aspects. Some issues, like climate change and water management, also extend into the realm of international security. The EU, recognizing that climate change represents not only the greatest challenge of our time but also a significant opportunity to build a new economic model, proposed a transformation of the economy and society through the adoption of the EU Green Deal (12/2019). The EU Green Deal is the EU's growth policy aiming to transform the EU into a fair and prosperous society with a modern, competitive and resource-efficient economy, where greenhouse gas emissions will be climate-neutral by 2050.

Greece recognizes the EU Green Deal as a roadmap for actions that can play a vital role in the green transition, directing EU's collective efforts towards sustainable and inclusive economic growth. Within this framework, Greece has placed the green transition at the core of its National Recovery and Resilience Plan by adopting policies and goals that cover all sectors of the economy.

Greece has prioritized the issue of Climate Change and Security as part of its candidacy for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2025-26 term.

Greece’s Environmental Performance for the decade 2009-2019 is summarized in the OECD – Environmental Performance Review – Greece, published on October 5, 2020, by the OECD.

The full text of the report is available here:
https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/environment/oecd-environmental-performance-reviews-greece-2020_cec20289-en).

TOPICS:
- Sustainable Development
- Climate Change
- Biodiversity
- Barcelona Convention
- Circular Economy
- EU Green Diplomacy Network
- Our Ocean Conference

Sustainable Development

Within the United Nations framework, Sustainable Development is an issue of particular importance that encompasses three dimensions: Environmental, social, and economic. The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) included in the UN's 2030 Agenda for sustainable development are universal, apply to all countries, and primarily aim to end poverty, hunger, and inequality, take action on climate change and the protection of the environment, and improve access to health and education, all while requiring the establishment of robust institutions and partnerships.

Greece is working to align the SDGs with national priorities, policies and needs, ensuring sectoral policy coherence for Sustainable Development and shaping a new, more ambitious national strategy for their implementation by 2030.

Climate Change

Climate Change is a global environmental and developmental challenge whose effects impact all sectors, including water resources, energy, food production and human health. In response, the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (Rio, 1992) adopted the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Subsequently, in 1997, the Kyoto Protocol was adopted, introducing legally binding emission reduction targets for the developed countries only.

At the 21st UN Conference on Climate Change (COP21) held in Paris in 2015, the parties to the UNFCCC adopted a new universal and legally binding global climate agreement, the "Paris Agreement." This agreement, the first major multilateral agreement of the 21st century, sets out a global action plan to limit the planet's temperature increase to well below 2°C, preferably to 1.5°C, in order to avoid dangerous climate changes.

Participating actively in the ongoing international negotiations on climate change and supporting the European Union's efforts to lead the battle against this phenomenon, Greece:
- was among the first countries to ratify the Paris Agreement (2015),
- remains committed to its obligations,
- advocates for the swift implementation of the Agreement by all states,
- has achieved its greenhouse gas emissions mitigation targets set for 2020,
- supports the EU's ambitious and binding target of at least a 55% reduction in emissions by 2030,
- endorses the goal of EU climate neutrality by 2050,
- has made significant strides in climate adaptation with the adoption of a National Strategy and the establishment of a National Council for Adaptation to Climate Change, as well as the development of Regional Adaptation Plans,
- is committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels.

The National Climate Law, adopted in 2022 (Law 4936/2022/17.5.2022), stipulates, inter alia, a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030 and by 80% by 2040, compared to 1990, with the ultimate goal of climate neutrality by 2050.

The National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP) provides a detailed roadmap for achieving specific Energy and Climate Targets by the year 2030. The NECP presents and analyzes Policy Priorities and Measures across a wide range of developmental and economic activities for the benefit of Greek society. The revised National Plan for Energy and Climate (NECP), aligned with the new national and European climate targets, is expected to be ratified within 2023.

Greece, wishing to contribute to the achievement of the goals of the Climate Action Summit convened by the UN Secretary-General (New York, 25.09.2019), promoted a proposal jointly with UNESCO and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), titled "Addressing climate change impacts on cultural and natural heritage," which includes the Conclusions of the scientific segment of the International Conference on the Impacts of Climate Change on Cultural Heritage, successfully organized in Athens (Zappeion Megaron, 21-22 June 2019).

Following its international initiative, Greece established a committee known as the Flexible Mechanism to monitor the progress of implementing its proposal. This mechanism focuses on actions included in the fields of scientific research, administration/management and education, in collaboration with supporting countries and international organizations. Furthermore, Greece has constituted a national-level Coordination Unit aimed at implementing these actions.

More details about the progress made towards the implementation of the Greek initiative can be found on the initiative's website (www.ccich.gr).

Lastly, Greece actively participates in multilateral meetings within the competent international organizations and contributes to the effort to improve global environmental governance. Concurrently, as a member of the European Union, it collaborates at the European level to shape an advanced framework for environmental protection.

Biodiversity

Due to a great variety of climatic and geomorphologic conditions, Greece possesses one of the highest levels of biodiversity in Europe and the Mediterranean, with a very high degree of endemism, as well as large areas characterized by an almost unaltered natural environment. Therefore, a primary concern for the country is to halt biodiversity loss and to protect and restore sensitive habitats and high-value ecosystems.

Greece has a long-standing conservation policy, with legislation dating back to 1930 for the establishment of national parks. It was one of the first countries globally to adopt a comprehensive environmental protection law in 1986, while principles of environmental protection are incorporated into its Constitution. The "National Biodiversity Strategy 2014-2029" and the related "Five-Year Action Program" set the long-term vision for the country to prevent the destructive changes due to biodiversity loss by 2050 and outline three general strategic objectives: To halt the loss of biodiversity, to promote biodiversity as a national natural capital, and to intensify Greece's contribution to the global prevention of biodiversity loss.

Remaining dedicated to the protection, preservation and restoration of its ecosystems, Greece has 446 areas in the Natura 2000 network of protected areas of the European Union, corresponding to 27.9% of the country's land area and 22.3% of its marine area.

Additionally, Greece welcomes the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 and the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF). Furthermore, Greece actively supports the 30x30 target, which aims to protect at least 30% of terrestrial lands and 30% of the seas globally by 2030, as included in the GBF.

Barcelona Convention

The Barcelona Convention "for the Protection of the Marine Environment and the Coastal Region of the Mediterranean" was adopted in 1976 by the Mediterranean countries and the then EEC, aiming to coordinate their actions and take all appropriate measures to prevent, combat and eliminate pollution in the Mediterranean, as well as improve its marine and coastal environment. The Coordinating Unit - Secretariat of the Barcelona Convention has been hosted in Athens since 1981. In 1995, the Member States adopted the amended Barcelona Convention, now titled "Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment and the Coastal Region of the Mediterranean".

Greece is an active member of the Convention, supporting its objectives to improve the marine and coastal environment of the Mediterranean, develop collaborations between the parties, and ensure the sustainable development of the countries in the region. The 19th Meeting of the Contracting Parties (COP19) to the Barcelona Convention and its Protocols was held in Athens in 2016. At its Ministerial segment, themed "40 years of cooperation to ensure the health and productivity of the Mediterranean and its coasts: A collective journey towards sustainable development," Environment Ministers from the Mediterranean countries participated and adopted the "Athens Declaration," committing to implement the programs, action plans, and guidelines approved at COP19.

Regarding the protection of the Mediterranean, at the 8th EU Mediterranean Countries Summit (EUMED9) held in Athens on 17.9.2021, nine EU countries adopted, on Greek initiative, the "Athens Declaration on Climate Change and the Environment in the Mediterranean", which includes, inter alia, commitments and actions to address climate change and protect the biodiversity of the Mediterranean.

Furthermore, Greece participates in the French initiative "Mediterranean: a model sea by 2030," which aims to protect the Mediterranean and its biodiversity and achieve sustainable development in the region by 2030.

Circular Economy

Within the context of sustainable development, the circular economy constitutes a priority for Greece. The transition to a low-carbon economy and optimizing resource use through the circular economy is of paramount importance to ensure environmental protection and public health, enhance green growth for social prosperity and create new job opportunities. Greece has already developed and is implementing its "National Strategy for the Circular Economy." Promoting the circular economy at the national level requires changes to the regulatory and legislative framework, alongside the selection of appropriate financial tools and the development of a monitoring framework for its application. Shortly, the Roadmap for the Circular Economy will be completed.

In December 2018, the Ministry of Environment and Energy published the National Strategy for the Circular Economy and the National Operational Action Plan for 2018-2019. In November 2021, the national action plan was revised and specified with the new Country Action Plan for the Circular Economy, which is fully aligned with the goals and commitments of the new European action plan for the circular economy. This plan:
- is fully harmonized with the goals and commitments of the new European action plan for the circular economy,
- is compatible with new European directives and institutional initiatives,
- takes into account all the new legislative developments in Greece, such as the new legislative framework for waste, alternative management, single-use plastics and related development policies at the sectoral and national level, as well as the National action plans for waste and the National program for waste prevention.

EU Green Diplomacy Network

At the European Council convened in Thessaloniki in 2003, it was agreed to promote the integration of environmental concerns into the EU's external relations by creating an informal network of relevant officials from the Foreign Ministries of Member States, the "Green Diplomacy Network" (GDN). The first meeting of the Network took place in Athens during the Greek Presidency on June 25, 2003. From 2012 onwards it operates within the framework of the European External Action Service of the EU (EEAS).

The Green Diplomacy Network fosters coordinated action of the EU's extensive diplomatic representation and its member states to achieve their international environmental goals, especially concerning climate change. It also facilitates the exchange of information, opinions and best practices on environmental issues and climate diplomacy among the Foreign Ministries of the member states and the EEAS, as well as dialogue regarding the incorporation of these issues into foreign policy.

Our Ocean Conference 2024

Greece hosted the 9th international "Our Ocean Conference" (OOC-9) on April 16-17, 2024 in Athens (Stavros Niarchos Foundation). Since 2014, the Our Ocean Conference (OOC) has been an international meeting where stakeholders (governments, the private sector, NGOs, the academic community, etc.) collaborate to protect and manage the oceans and seas. The Conference has been hosted by many countries (USA, Chile, Malta, Indonesia, Norway, Palau, Panama).

Participants at the OOC announce concrete policies, commitments, and actions for the oceans and their protection, as well as for the responsible management of marine resources and the promotion of sustainable economic development. The related commitments are distributed across sectors, such as climate change, sustainable fisheries, blue economy, marine protected areas, maritime security and pollution. From 2014 to 2023, the Conference mobilized over 2,160 commitments valued at more than 130 billion US dollars in the aforementioned sectors.

Among Greece's priorities is the promotion - beyond the six main thematic areas traditionally highlighted at these Conferences - of other important issues such as sustainable tourism, addressing pollution from plastics and microplastics, green shipping, and the green transition of the Mediterranean.

Related links:
- ccich.gr
- sdgs.un.org
- unfccc.int
- https://ypen.gov.gr/
- https://www.unep.org/unepmap/
- https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/climate-environment-energy_en