Environmental Sustainability
#19Key Findings
In the category of environmental sustainability, Greece falls into the sample’s lower-middle ranks (rank 19).
A national climate law was passed in in 2022, and the national climate strategy is binding. The state aims to phase out coal-powered electricity by 2028, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030. However, the country ranked near the OECD’s bottom in greenhouse gas intensity growth and carbon emissions from land cover during the 2010s.
Waste and water management and air pollution are all weaknesses. The country has faced significant natural disasters in recent years, including wildfires and floods in 2023. Considerable areas of forest, grasslands and wetlands have been lost over the last decade.
A biodiversity strategy in place, but implementation is the responsibility of regional governments. The country has become more active in global and regional environmental protection initiatives since recovering from its economic crisis, with a focus on the Mediterranean region.
A national climate law was passed in in 2022, and the national climate strategy is binding. The state aims to phase out coal-powered electricity by 2028, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030. However, the country ranked near the OECD’s bottom in greenhouse gas intensity growth and carbon emissions from land cover during the 2010s.
Waste and water management and air pollution are all weaknesses. The country has faced significant natural disasters in recent years, including wildfires and floods in 2023. Considerable areas of forest, grasslands and wetlands have been lost over the last decade.
A biodiversity strategy in place, but implementation is the responsibility of regional governments. The country has become more active in global and regional environmental protection initiatives since recovering from its economic crisis, with a focus on the Mediterranean region.
Graph View
Graph View
How committed is the government to the goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2050?
10
9
9
The government is clearly committed to achieving climate neutrality by 2050.
8
7
6
7
6
The government is largely committed to achieving climate neutrality by 2050.
5
4
3
4
3
The government is only somewhat committed to achieving climate neutrality by 2050.
2
1
1
The government is not at all committed to achieving climate neutrality by 2050.
Compared to other OECD countries, Greece ranks average in projected GHG emissions by 2050 (Yale Center for Environmental Law and Policy 2019a). Greece also ranks average in the adjusted emissions growth rate for carbon dioxide and methane (Yale Center for Environmental Law and Policy 2019b and 2019c). However, Greece ranks near the bottom of OECD countries in greenhouse gas intensity growth rate during the 2010s (Yale Center for Environmental Law & Policy 2019d) and the carbon dioxide emissions growth rate from land cover in the same decade (Yale Center for Environmental Law & Policy 2019e).
To address these challenges, the Greek government has implemented a national strategy to achieve zero emissions by 2050, outlined in the National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP, Ministry of Energy and Environment 2019). The “Greece 2.0” Recovery and Resilience Plan further supports this goal, dedicating 37.5% of grants and loans to green objectives (OECD 2023: 9, Government of Greece 2021).
The legal framework for these efforts includes Article 24 of the Greek constitution, which guarantees the right to a natural environment and mandates state action to protect it. Following EU environmental legislation, the Greek parliament adopted a national climate law in 2022 to transition to climate neutrality and adapt to climate change. The aforementioned NECP plan was adopted by a decision of the cabinet in 2019. In brief, Greece’s strategy on climate change is legally binding.
The NECP plan sets national environmental policy targets for the period 2021 – 2030, along with sector-specific targets for tourism, agriculture, and naval commerce, among other policy sectors (Figure 1 and section 3.7 of the NECP plan). A concrete example is the Greek government’s ban on the use of fossil fuels to generate electricity by 2028. Additional targets address greenhouse emissions, buildings, and transport. In other words, the policy is comprehensive.
The Greek government monitors policy implementation by measuring progress against quantitative targets specified in the NECP and Greece 2.0 plans. The Ministry of Environment and Energy leads policy formulation and implementation, while public procurement in this and other areas is overseen by the independent Hellenic Single Public Procurement Authority (EADHSY).
Although Greece lacks an independent climate council, the Special Permanent Committee on Environmental Protection in parliament scrutinizes environmental policy, and the Council of State’s Department “E” reviews cases of environmental law violations that are modeled on the French Conseil d’État.
Finally, despite the Greek government’s commitment to achieving climate neutrality by 2050, policy implementation may be delegated to the public administrations of Greece’s 13 self-governed regions. However, the central government is entitled to – and frequently does – intervene at lower political levels if effective implementation is endangered.
Citations:
Government of Greece. 2021. “Greece 2.0 – National Recovery and Resilience Plan.” https://greece20.gov.gr/en/
Ministry of Energy and Environment. 2019. “National Energy and Climate Plan.” https://ypen.gov.gr/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/%CE%A6%CE%95%CE%9A-%CE%92-4893.2019.pdf
OECD. 2023. “Transitioning to a Green Economy in Greece.” Working Paper no. 1757. https://one.oecd.org/document/ECO/WKP(2023)10/en/pdf
Yale Law Center for Environmental Law and Policy. 2019. “Environmental.”
Performance Index (EPI): Projected GHG Emissions in 2050 (GHN) https://epi.yale.edu/downloads
Yale Center for Environmental Law & Policy. 2019b. “Environmental Performance Index (EPI): Adjusted Emissions Growth Rate for Carbon Dioxide.” https://epi.yale.edu/downloads
Yale Center for Environmental Law & Policy. 2019c. “Environmental Performance Index (EPI): Adjusted emissions growth rate for methane.” https://epi.yale.edu/downloads
Yale Center for Environmental Law & Policy. 2019. “Environmental Performance Index (EPI): Greenhouse Gas Intensity Growth Rate.” https://epi.yale.edu/downloads
Yale Center for Environmental Law & Policy. 2019. “Environmental Performance Index (EPI): Growth rate in carbon dioxide emissions from land cover.” https://epi.yale.edu/downloads
The national climate law that was adopted in 2022 is Law 4936/2022.
The website of the Hellenic Single Public Procurement Authority (EADHSY) is https://www.eaadhsy.gr/index.php/en/
The website of the parliament providing information on the Special Permanent Committee on Environmental Protection is https://www.hellenicparliament.gr/en/Koinovouleftikes-Epitropes/Katigories
To address these challenges, the Greek government has implemented a national strategy to achieve zero emissions by 2050, outlined in the National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP, Ministry of Energy and Environment 2019). The “Greece 2.0” Recovery and Resilience Plan further supports this goal, dedicating 37.5% of grants and loans to green objectives (OECD 2023: 9, Government of Greece 2021).
The legal framework for these efforts includes Article 24 of the Greek constitution, which guarantees the right to a natural environment and mandates state action to protect it. Following EU environmental legislation, the Greek parliament adopted a national climate law in 2022 to transition to climate neutrality and adapt to climate change. The aforementioned NECP plan was adopted by a decision of the cabinet in 2019. In brief, Greece’s strategy on climate change is legally binding.
The NECP plan sets national environmental policy targets for the period 2021 – 2030, along with sector-specific targets for tourism, agriculture, and naval commerce, among other policy sectors (Figure 1 and section 3.7 of the NECP plan). A concrete example is the Greek government’s ban on the use of fossil fuels to generate electricity by 2028. Additional targets address greenhouse emissions, buildings, and transport. In other words, the policy is comprehensive.
The Greek government monitors policy implementation by measuring progress against quantitative targets specified in the NECP and Greece 2.0 plans. The Ministry of Environment and Energy leads policy formulation and implementation, while public procurement in this and other areas is overseen by the independent Hellenic Single Public Procurement Authority (EADHSY).
Although Greece lacks an independent climate council, the Special Permanent Committee on Environmental Protection in parliament scrutinizes environmental policy, and the Council of State’s Department “E” reviews cases of environmental law violations that are modeled on the French Conseil d’État.
Finally, despite the Greek government’s commitment to achieving climate neutrality by 2050, policy implementation may be delegated to the public administrations of Greece’s 13 self-governed regions. However, the central government is entitled to – and frequently does – intervene at lower political levels if effective implementation is endangered.
Citations:
Government of Greece. 2021. “Greece 2.0 – National Recovery and Resilience Plan.” https://greece20.gov.gr/en/
Ministry of Energy and Environment. 2019. “National Energy and Climate Plan.” https://ypen.gov.gr/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/%CE%A6%CE%95%CE%9A-%CE%92-4893.2019.pdf
OECD. 2023. “Transitioning to a Green Economy in Greece.” Working Paper no. 1757. https://one.oecd.org/document/ECO/WKP(2023)10/en/pdf
Yale Law Center for Environmental Law and Policy. 2019. “Environmental.”
Performance Index (EPI): Projected GHG Emissions in 2050 (GHN) https://epi.yale.edu/downloads
Yale Center for Environmental Law & Policy. 2019b. “Environmental Performance Index (EPI): Adjusted Emissions Growth Rate for Carbon Dioxide.” https://epi.yale.edu/downloads
Yale Center for Environmental Law & Policy. 2019c. “Environmental Performance Index (EPI): Adjusted emissions growth rate for methane.” https://epi.yale.edu/downloads
Yale Center for Environmental Law & Policy. 2019. “Environmental Performance Index (EPI): Greenhouse Gas Intensity Growth Rate.” https://epi.yale.edu/downloads
Yale Center for Environmental Law & Policy. 2019. “Environmental Performance Index (EPI): Growth rate in carbon dioxide emissions from land cover.” https://epi.yale.edu/downloads
The national climate law that was adopted in 2022 is Law 4936/2022.
The website of the Hellenic Single Public Procurement Authority (EADHSY) is https://www.eaadhsy.gr/index.php/en/
The website of the parliament providing information on the Special Permanent Committee on Environmental Protection is https://www.hellenicparliament.gr/en/Koinovouleftikes-Epitropes/Katigories
Graph View
How committed is the government to protecting the public from environmental health risks?
10
9
9
The government is clearly committed to the goal of protecting environmental health.
8
7
6
7
6
The government is largely committed to the goal of protecting environmental health.
5
4
3
4
3
The government is only somewhat committed to the goal of protecting environmental health.
2
1
1
The government is not at all committed to the goal of protecting environmental health.
“Greece faces challenges in waste and water management, and air pollution remains a serious concern” (OECD 2020: 4). Compared to other OECD countries, Greece lags in areas such as PM2.5 exposure, household solid fuels, ozone exposure, lead exposure, unsafe sanitation, and mismanaged solid waste (Yale Center for Environmental Law and Policy 2019). However, Greece performs well in ensuring the safety of drinking water.
The Greek government is committed to preventing environmental pollution and safeguarding public health. Various lead units, including the General Secretariat for Natural Environment and Water and the General Secretariat of Environmental Policy within the Ministry of Environment and Energy, are responsible for coordinating water management, monitoring air pollution, and ensuring soil security. An annually updated report on atmospheric quality is published every year (Ministry of Energy and Environment 2022). The same General Secretariat is also responsible for soil security.
In response to natural disasters in 2023, including record wildfires and floods, Greece’s National Public Health Organization (EODY) has informed the public about potential health risks (i.e., waterborne and vector-borne diseases) and conducted water quality testing. However, the scale and abruptness of these disasters have hindered the efficiency of government response.
In summary, while Greece has relevant policies in place to address environmental health risks, the country’s institutional capacity faces limitations that impact effective implementation. (Schismenos et al. 2022: 3).
Citations:
Ministry of Energy and Environment. 2022. “Annual Report on Atmospheric Quality 2022.” https://ypen.gov.gr/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/%CE%95%CE%A4%CE%97%CE%A3%CE%99%CE%91-%CE%95%CE%9A%CE%98%CE%95%CE%A3%CE%97-2022.pdf
OECD. 2020. “OECD Environmental Performance Reviews -Greece Highlights 2020.” https://ypen.gov.gr/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/OECD-EPR-Greece-2020-Highlights-English.pdf
Schismenos, S., D. Emmanouilidis, G. J. Stevens, N. D. Katopodis, and A. M. Melesse. 2022. “Soil Governance in Greece: A Snapshot.” Soil Security 6.
Yale Center for Environmental Law and Policy. 2019. “Environmental Performance Index (EPI): PM2.5 Exposure.” https://epi.yale.edu/downloads
Yale Center for Environmental Law and Policy. 2019b. “Environmental Performance Index (EPI): Household solid fuels.” https://epi.yale.edu/downloads
Yale Center for Environmental Law and Policy. 2019. “Environmental Performance Index (EPI): Ozone Exposure.” https://epi.yale.edu/downloads
Yale Center for Environmental Law and Policy. 2019. “Environmental Performance Index (EPI): Lead exposure.” https://epi.yale.edu/downloads
Yale Center for Environmental Law and Policy. 2019. “Environmental Performance Index (EPI): Unsafe sanitation.” https://epi.yale.edu/downloads
Yale Center for Environmental Law and Policy. 2019. “Environmental Performance Index (EPI): Mismanaged Solid Waste.” https://epi.yale.edu/downloads
Yale Center for Environmental Law and Policy. 2019. “Environmental Performance Index (EPI): Unsafe drinking water.” https://epi.yale.edu/downloads
The website of the Ministry for Energy and Environment is https://ypen.gov.gr/
The website of the National Health Public Organization (EODY) is https://eody.gov.gr/en/.
The Greek government is committed to preventing environmental pollution and safeguarding public health. Various lead units, including the General Secretariat for Natural Environment and Water and the General Secretariat of Environmental Policy within the Ministry of Environment and Energy, are responsible for coordinating water management, monitoring air pollution, and ensuring soil security. An annually updated report on atmospheric quality is published every year (Ministry of Energy and Environment 2022). The same General Secretariat is also responsible for soil security.
In response to natural disasters in 2023, including record wildfires and floods, Greece’s National Public Health Organization (EODY) has informed the public about potential health risks (i.e., waterborne and vector-borne diseases) and conducted water quality testing. However, the scale and abruptness of these disasters have hindered the efficiency of government response.
In summary, while Greece has relevant policies in place to address environmental health risks, the country’s institutional capacity faces limitations that impact effective implementation. (Schismenos et al. 2022: 3).
Citations:
Ministry of Energy and Environment. 2022. “Annual Report on Atmospheric Quality 2022.” https://ypen.gov.gr/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/%CE%95%CE%A4%CE%97%CE%A3%CE%99%CE%91-%CE%95%CE%9A%CE%98%CE%95%CE%A3%CE%97-2022.pdf
OECD. 2020. “OECD Environmental Performance Reviews -Greece Highlights 2020.” https://ypen.gov.gr/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/OECD-EPR-Greece-2020-Highlights-English.pdf
Schismenos, S., D. Emmanouilidis, G. J. Stevens, N. D. Katopodis, and A. M. Melesse. 2022. “Soil Governance in Greece: A Snapshot.” Soil Security 6.
Yale Center for Environmental Law and Policy. 2019. “Environmental Performance Index (EPI): PM2.5 Exposure.” https://epi.yale.edu/downloads
Yale Center for Environmental Law and Policy. 2019b. “Environmental Performance Index (EPI): Household solid fuels.” https://epi.yale.edu/downloads
Yale Center for Environmental Law and Policy. 2019. “Environmental Performance Index (EPI): Ozone Exposure.” https://epi.yale.edu/downloads
Yale Center for Environmental Law and Policy. 2019. “Environmental Performance Index (EPI): Lead exposure.” https://epi.yale.edu/downloads
Yale Center for Environmental Law and Policy. 2019. “Environmental Performance Index (EPI): Unsafe sanitation.” https://epi.yale.edu/downloads
Yale Center for Environmental Law and Policy. 2019. “Environmental Performance Index (EPI): Mismanaged Solid Waste.” https://epi.yale.edu/downloads
Yale Center for Environmental Law and Policy. 2019. “Environmental Performance Index (EPI): Unsafe drinking water.” https://epi.yale.edu/downloads
The website of the Ministry for Energy and Environment is https://ypen.gov.gr/
The website of the National Health Public Organization (EODY) is https://eody.gov.gr/en/.
Graph View
How committed is the government to preserving ecosystems and protecting biodiversity?
10
9
9
The government is clearly committed to protecting ecosystems and biodiversity.
8
7
6
7
6
The government is largely committed to protecting ecosystems and biodiversity.
5
4
3
4
3
The government is only somewhat committed to protecting ecosystems and biodiversity.
2
1
1
The government is not at all committed to protecting ecosystems and biodiversity.
During the 2010s, Greece lagged behind other OECD countries in reducing emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrous oxides and performed poorly on species protection and biodiversity habitat indices (Yale Center for Environmental Law and Policy 2019a, 2019b, 2019c and 2019d). Over the last decade, the country has also experienced significant loss of forests, grasslands, and wetlands (Yale Center for Environmental Law and Policy 2019e, 2019f and 2019g). Many of Greece’s wetlands have been drained (Yale Center for Environmental Law and Policy 2019g).
Despite these challenges, the Greek government is committed to preserving ecosystems and biodiversity. The national strategy for 2014–2029 aims to safeguard ecosystem vitality and prevent biodiversity loss, with 13 national goals and 39 specific targets (Convention on Biological Diversity 2023).
Despite bureaucratic hurdles, Greece has also established the Natura 2000 network, which includes 241 SCI-SACs and 202 SPAs, covering 27.2% of the land and 6.1% of territorial waters (Biodiversity Information System for Europe 2023).
The biodiversity strategy and the corresponding action plan have been put forward by the Ministry of Energy and Environment, which monitors their implementation (Ministry of Energy and Environment 2014). Policy implementation, however, may be delegated to the public administrations of Greece’s 13 self-governed regions. Nonetheless, the central government is entitled to – and frequently does – intervene at lower political levels if effective implementation is endangered.
Citations:
Biodiversity Information System for Europe. 2023. “Greece – Biodiversity Strategy.” https://biodiversity.europa.eu/countries/greece/eu-biodiversity-strategy
Convention on Biological Diversity. 2023. “Country Profiles – Greece.” https://www.cbd.int/countries/profile/?country=gr#:~:text=Adopted%20in%202014%20as%20a,years%20(2014%2D2029)
Ministry of Energy and Environment. 2014. “National Biodiversity and Action Plan.” https://www.cbd.int/doc/world/gr/gr-nbsap-01-en.pdf
Yale Center for Environmental Law and Policy. 2019a. “Environmental Performance Index (EPI): Adjusted Emissions Growth Rate for Sulfur Dioxide (SDA).” https://epi.yale.edu/downloads
Yale Center for Environmental Law and Policy. 2019. “Environmental Performance Index (EPI): Adjusted Emissions Growth Rate for Nitrous Oxides (NHA).” https://epi.yale.edu/downloads
Yale Center for Environmental Law and Policy. 2019c. “Environmental Performance Index (EPI): Species Protection Index (SPI).” https://epi.yale.edu/downloads
Yale Center for Environmental Law and Policy. 2019. “Environmental Performance Index (EPI): Biodiversity Habitat Index (BHV).” https://epi.yale.edu/downloads
Yale Center for Environmental Law and Policy. 2019. “Environmental Performance Index (EPI): Tree Cover Loss (TCL).” https://epi.yale.edu/downloads
Yale Center for Environmental Law and Policy. 2019. “Environmental Performance Index (EPI): Grassland Loss (GRL).” https://epi.yale.edu/downloads
Yale Center for Environmental Law and Policy. 2019. “Environmental Performance Index (EPI): Wetland Loss (WTL).” https://epi.yale.edu/downloads
Despite these challenges, the Greek government is committed to preserving ecosystems and biodiversity. The national strategy for 2014–2029 aims to safeguard ecosystem vitality and prevent biodiversity loss, with 13 national goals and 39 specific targets (Convention on Biological Diversity 2023).
Despite bureaucratic hurdles, Greece has also established the Natura 2000 network, which includes 241 SCI-SACs and 202 SPAs, covering 27.2% of the land and 6.1% of territorial waters (Biodiversity Information System for Europe 2023).
The biodiversity strategy and the corresponding action plan have been put forward by the Ministry of Energy and Environment, which monitors their implementation (Ministry of Energy and Environment 2014). Policy implementation, however, may be delegated to the public administrations of Greece’s 13 self-governed regions. Nonetheless, the central government is entitled to – and frequently does – intervene at lower political levels if effective implementation is endangered.
Citations:
Biodiversity Information System for Europe. 2023. “Greece – Biodiversity Strategy.” https://biodiversity.europa.eu/countries/greece/eu-biodiversity-strategy
Convention on Biological Diversity. 2023. “Country Profiles – Greece.” https://www.cbd.int/countries/profile/?country=gr#:~:text=Adopted%20in%202014%20as%20a,years%20(2014%2D2029)
Ministry of Energy and Environment. 2014. “National Biodiversity and Action Plan.” https://www.cbd.int/doc/world/gr/gr-nbsap-01-en.pdf
Yale Center for Environmental Law and Policy. 2019a. “Environmental Performance Index (EPI): Adjusted Emissions Growth Rate for Sulfur Dioxide (SDA).” https://epi.yale.edu/downloads
Yale Center for Environmental Law and Policy. 2019. “Environmental Performance Index (EPI): Adjusted Emissions Growth Rate for Nitrous Oxides (NHA).” https://epi.yale.edu/downloads
Yale Center for Environmental Law and Policy. 2019c. “Environmental Performance Index (EPI): Species Protection Index (SPI).” https://epi.yale.edu/downloads
Yale Center for Environmental Law and Policy. 2019. “Environmental Performance Index (EPI): Biodiversity Habitat Index (BHV).” https://epi.yale.edu/downloads
Yale Center for Environmental Law and Policy. 2019. “Environmental Performance Index (EPI): Tree Cover Loss (TCL).” https://epi.yale.edu/downloads
Yale Center for Environmental Law and Policy. 2019. “Environmental Performance Index (EPI): Grassland Loss (GRL).” https://epi.yale.edu/downloads
Yale Center for Environmental Law and Policy. 2019. “Environmental Performance Index (EPI): Wetland Loss (WTL).” https://epi.yale.edu/downloads
Graph View
To what extent is the government committed and credible in designing and promoting global environmental protection regimes and policies?
10
9
9
Government policy and institutions are fully aligned with efforts to achieve global environmental sustainability.
8
7
6
7
6
Government policy and institutions are largely aligned with efforts to achieve global environmental sustainability.
5
4
3
4
3
Government policy and institutions are somewhat aligned with efforts to achieve global environmental sustainability.
2
1
1
Government policy and institutions are not at all aligned with efforts to achieve global environmental sustainability.
Although Greece initially appears to be a laggard in contributing to the Green Climate Fund and participating in multilateral environmental agreements, Greece has become more active in global and regional environmental protection initiatives since recovering from its economic crisis.
In 2019, Greece launched the “Addressing Climate Change Impacts on Cultural and Natural Heritage” initiative at the UN Climate Action Summit, which gained support from over 100 UN member states by 2022. Greece also plays a significant role in the Barcelona Convention for the protection of the Mediterranean coasts and sea, hosting the convention’s Coordinating Unit/Secretariat in Athens (Presidency of the Hellenic Government 2022: 188).
Greece actively participates in implementing the Barcelona Convention for the protection of the Mediterranean coasts and sea. Greece hosts the convention’s Coordinating Unit/Secretariat in Athens, and within the context of the convention, it chaired the Mediterranean Commission on Sustainable Development from 2017 to 2019.
In the Eastern Mediterranean region, Greece has initiated or participated in several environmental protection initiatives. In 2023, Greece, Cyprus, and Israel ratified an implementation agreement on the subregional marine oil pollution contingency plan. Since 2020, the three countries have participated in a three-way partnership on renewable energy sources and the development of sustainable energy infrastructure. Since 2018, Greece, Cyprus, and Egypt have engaged in trilateral cooperation on sustainable development, which includes collaboration on electricity grids and environmental education. Moreover, since 2019, Greece, North Macedonia, Albania, and the European Union have signed and begun implementing an agreement on the protection and sustainable development of the Prespa Park area, which encompasses lakes spanning the three countries (Presidency of the Hellenic Government 2022: 184 – 186). Finally, regarding greenhouse gas emissions, Greece ranks above-average among OECD countries (OECD 2022).
In brief, Greece does not provide direct assistance to many other countries in promoting ecological sustainability but focuses its efforts on the Mediterranean region. Yet Greece actively contributes, within its capacity, to international efforts aimed at fostering and shaping environmental sustainability in other countries and on a regional and global scale.
Citations:
OECD. 2022. “Dataset: Greenhouse Gas Emissions.” https://stats.oecd.org/Index.aspx?DataSetCode=AIR_GHG
Presidency of the Hellenic Government. 2022. “Voluntary National Review 2022 on the Implementation of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.” https://hlpf.un.org/sites/default/files/vnrs/2022/VNR%202022%20Greece%20Report.pdf
In 2019, Greece launched the “Addressing Climate Change Impacts on Cultural and Natural Heritage” initiative at the UN Climate Action Summit, which gained support from over 100 UN member states by 2022. Greece also plays a significant role in the Barcelona Convention for the protection of the Mediterranean coasts and sea, hosting the convention’s Coordinating Unit/Secretariat in Athens (Presidency of the Hellenic Government 2022: 188).
Greece actively participates in implementing the Barcelona Convention for the protection of the Mediterranean coasts and sea. Greece hosts the convention’s Coordinating Unit/Secretariat in Athens, and within the context of the convention, it chaired the Mediterranean Commission on Sustainable Development from 2017 to 2019.
In the Eastern Mediterranean region, Greece has initiated or participated in several environmental protection initiatives. In 2023, Greece, Cyprus, and Israel ratified an implementation agreement on the subregional marine oil pollution contingency plan. Since 2020, the three countries have participated in a three-way partnership on renewable energy sources and the development of sustainable energy infrastructure. Since 2018, Greece, Cyprus, and Egypt have engaged in trilateral cooperation on sustainable development, which includes collaboration on electricity grids and environmental education. Moreover, since 2019, Greece, North Macedonia, Albania, and the European Union have signed and begun implementing an agreement on the protection and sustainable development of the Prespa Park area, which encompasses lakes spanning the three countries (Presidency of the Hellenic Government 2022: 184 – 186). Finally, regarding greenhouse gas emissions, Greece ranks above-average among OECD countries (OECD 2022).
In brief, Greece does not provide direct assistance to many other countries in promoting ecological sustainability but focuses its efforts on the Mediterranean region. Yet Greece actively contributes, within its capacity, to international efforts aimed at fostering and shaping environmental sustainability in other countries and on a regional and global scale.
Citations:
OECD. 2022. “Dataset: Greenhouse Gas Emissions.” https://stats.oecd.org/Index.aspx?DataSetCode=AIR_GHG
Presidency of the Hellenic Government. 2022. “Voluntary National Review 2022 on the Implementation of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.” https://hlpf.un.org/sites/default/files/vnrs/2022/VNR%202022%20Greece%20Report.pdf