Greece

Greece

Secretary General of Natural Environment and Water, of the Greek Ministry of Environment and Energy

Statement by the Secretary General for Natural Environment and Water, Ministry of Environment and Energy

Dear colleagues,

First of all, we would like to thank the Government of Japan for launching this Online Platform on Sustainable and Resilient Recovery from COVIC-19 and the United Nations Convention of Climate Change for supporting this attempt, because it provides an opportunity to exchange views and ideas, to promote international cooperation and the solidaridy required to deal with global risks.

Due to Covid-19 pandemic, the whole world is currently facing an unprecedented crisis with many socio-economic consequences at national, regional and global level.

Therefore, we need to intensify our efforts and further strengthen our environmental agenda to prevent future global pandemics and to initiate a green recovery with the creation of green jobs. The Recovery Plan has the potential to convert the challenges into opportunities for a Sustainable, Circular, Green Growth with a concrete set of actions and measures.

Greece remaining firmly committed to the Paris Agreement has in force an ambitious climate policy both for climate mitigation and adaptation, having surpassed the green-house gas reduction targets set for 2020, and aiming towards a zero carbon society by 2050.

To achieve that, Greece has adopted a revised National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP) at the end of 2019, which stresses Greece's priorities and development potential in terms of energy and addressing climate change.

The revised NECP has undergone public consultation, debate in the Greek Parliament and finally became national legislation. The main priorities set in the new NECP are:

1. Decarbonisation, i.e. the ending of Greece reliance on lignite by 2028. Towards this direction we plan to shut down all lignite-powered plants until 2028 at the latest (with all plants currently in operation closing by 2023), while guaranteeing a social and economic Just Transition for the affected regions.

2. Increase of the penetration of Renewable Energy Sources (RES) for electricity production to 60% within the next decade.

3. A target set for more than 42% reduction over 1990 Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions and more than 56% over 2005 emissions by 2030 in order to achieve a climate-neutral economy by 2050.

4. Energy saving initiatives, i.e. public and private funding programmes for the renovation of public buildings, industrial facilities and residences.

5. Optimal use of resources (energy, water, raw material) is one of the prerequisites for respecting planetary boundaries, halting biodiversity loss, and reducing global greenhouse gas emissions. In order to achieve this, a National Strategy for Circular Economy has been developed to promote circular use of materials and circular business models.

For the implementation of NECP and in order to reach the relevant targets, a number of legal and financial instruments have been introduced. Some of these instruments include investment in RES, in natural gas and electricity transport and distribution networks, financial incentives for the purchase of electric cars, etc.

Furthermore, due to the current extreme circumstances, the EU has adopted emergency measures in order to support the recovery and resilience of the Member States’ economy. This Recovery effort will be significant, focused and limited in time.

The target set by the European Council is a percentage of 30% of the overall EU budget for the period 2021-2027 to be allocated to climate action.

Greece and all other EU Member States, will prepare a national recovery and resilience plan for the years 2021-2023. The recovery plan and the reboot of the economy shall be consistent with Paris Agreement objectives and in line with the vision of climate neutrality by 2050.

Moreover, a new environmental legislative framework has been recently adopted, which will simplify the licensing and permitting process of projects such as the installation of Renewable Energy Sources without undermining the environmental protection.

In this endeavor we must not forget the economically weaker countries. Greece, despite the adversities it faces, will try as much as it can to continue providing financial and technological assistance to developing countries.

If we all work together, we will achieve our common goals for a green and sustainable future. No one should be left behind.

Thank you