Greece breaks one renewable energy record after another according to the latest data, both at investing and demand levels with green technologies covering 67 and 68 percent of the country’s energy needs on April 1st and 2nd.

The operation of the system with 68 percent participation of the RES is a great performance for today, but, will be the rule in a few years as the target for 2030 is 67 percent of the electricity to derive from renewable energy sources.

As Independent Power Transmission Operator (ADMIE) president and CEO said at the Delphi Economic Forum “The major storage works are necessary in order to maximize the benefits of the green energy and in parallel preserving the stability of the electricity system”.

Meanwhile, a week ago at the Delphi forum, the Greek tourism ministry and Google announced on Friday a new partnership for the acceleration of a green and sustainable transformation of the Greek tourism industry. The collaboration includes the creation of a new training program for small and medium-sized tourism enterprises, in collaboration with the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC).

The American company also announced one million dollars in funding from Google.org to support organizations that help social enterprises in Greece, with an emphasis on sustainability and ecotourism.

The transition of the Greek tourism industry to a more sustainable and environmentally-friendly growth model is a key priority in dealing with the inevitable consequences of the climate crisis.

According to a new survey conducted by the Institute for Tourism Research and Forecasting (ITEP) on behalf of Google and the Hotel Chamber of Greece, three out of four hotel owners consider the implementation of sustainability practices crucial for the future of their business, with 79%t expressing interest in obtaining sustainability certification. However, only 41% consider their level of knowledge about sustainability practices to be satisfactory.

Originally published on: greekcitytimes.com

Starting Tuesday, April 26th, big brown wheelie bins for organic waste will be installed at 20 farmers’ markets in Attica to encourage vendors to join a composting scheme.

During the first four weeks of the program, these so-called “green stations” will travel to markets across the region with representatives of the Attica Regional Authority program, who will inform vendors of the benefits of joining up.

They will also be giving vendors who have their own farms sacks of compost made in Attica by recycling organic waste.

Originally published on: ekathimerini.com

The Greek government will launch a program to subsidize the purchase of e-vehicles such as electric cars as well as electric two-wheelers, three-wheelers, and e-bicycles in the framework of a strategy to promote the use of electric cars in the country.

The platform for submitting applications opened on Thursday, July 28, 2022.

The subsidy for individuals reaches 30 percent on the retail price of a vehicle (pre-tax) Additional subsidy was offered for the purchase of a home charger or the withdrawal of an old car.

The subsidy covers only the purchase of e-vehicles and not plug-in hybrid cars.

Skrekas said the program has four goals, renewal of car fleet, developing of smart charging infrastructure, reducing CO2 emissions, and saving funds for citizens.

To read this article in full and analytically view the subsidies for individuals and businesses, please visit: keeptalkinggreece.com

The European Commission has launched an online public consultation on the development of a possible EU Soil Health Law.

Soils are the foundation of our food security, providing 95% of the food we eat. Healthy soils are vital for life on Earth. They deliver many essential services and are crucial to achieving key objectives of the European Green Deal such as climate neutrality, biodiversity restoration, zero pollution, healthy and sustainable food systems, and a resilient environment.

The EU Soil Strategy for 2030, adopted on 17 November 2021, sets the vision to have all soils in healthy condition by 2050 and to make the protection, sustainable use, and restoration of soils the norm. It also announces that the Commission will table a new legislative proposal on soil health providing a comprehensive legal framework for soil protection granting it the same level of protection that exists for water, the marine environment, and air in the EU. This proposal will complement the Nature Restoration Law and, ensure synergies with climate change mitigation and adaptation actions.

Sustainable soil management and restoration require the involvement of a wide range of economic and societal actors. Therefore, from farmers to foresters, from land planners to industry, from national governments to local authorities, from NGOs to citizens, all stakeholders are invited to share their views on this initiative on soil health via an online consultation that runs until 24 October 2022.

Soils host more than 25% of the world’s biodiversity, are the largest terrestrial carbon pool on the planet, and play a key role in the circular economy and adaptation to climate change. Yet, some 60-70% of EU soil ecosystems are unhealthy and suffering from degradation. Soil degradation is thought to cost the EU around 50 billion euros per year. Halting and reversing current trends of soil degradation could generate up to EUR 1.2 trillion per year in economic benefits globally.

To read this article in full, please visit the European Commission's official website. 

The European Commission has launched an online public consultation on the upcoming legislative proposal for a new EU framework for forest monitoring and strategic plans. The aim is to develop an EU-wide forest observation framework to provide open access to detailed, accurate, regular, and timely information on the condition and management of EU forests. All stakeholders are invited to share their views on this initiative via an online consultation that runs until 17 November 2022.

The European Green Deal calls for action to improve the quantity and quality of forests in the European Union, so the EU can reach its goal of climate neutrality and creating a healthy environment. The new EU Forest Strategy for 2030 sets the vision for effective afforestation, forest preservation, and restoration in Europe. The Strategy also announces a legislative proposal for a forest observation, reporting and data collection framework and requires the Member States to prepare strategic plans for forests.

In addition to improving forest monitoring, this information will lead to more data-driven decision-making on forests. It is expected to increase public trust in forest management, reduce illegal logging, incentivize and reward more sustainable forest management, and support the adaptation of forests to climate change. This initiative will also help deliver a Europe fit for the digital age as it will empower people, businesses, and administrations by providing access to harmonized forest-related data and making better use of digital technologies.

To read this article in full, please visit the European Commission's official website. 

Greece has seen a record production of electricity from renewable energy sources exceeding the corresponding output from natural gas this year, without considering the contribution of large hydroelectric plants with exports expected to reach 3 billion cubic meters this year.

The structural upheavals in the energy market brought about by the international crisis also include the fact that Greece became an energy exporter and an energy channel for the Balkan countries, supporting their energy supply with Liquefied Natural Gas infrastructure.

Environment and Energy Minister Kostas Skrekas pointed out that with the increase in RES, Greece has a comparative advantage in electricity production for the first time because it has twice as much solar radiation compared to Northern Europe. He estimated that the production of "green" energy will translate into savings of more than 2 billion euros in 2023 from the substitution of natural gas imports.

The developments in natural gas exports are also impressive with the Liquefied Natural Gas storage and gasification infrastructure in Revythoussa playing a leading role. Skrekas has recently stated at the Ministerial Council of the International Natural Gas Conference in Bucharest, that the country exported 0.7 billion cubic meters of natural gas last year, while this year it is already approaching 2 billion.

Moreover, the country's export potential will be strengthened with the commercial operation of the Greek-Bulgarian natural gas pipeline that began on October 1 and the start of operation, in 2023, of the new floating Liquefied Natural Gas station in Alexandroupolis.

Originally published on: greekcitytimes.com

The independent power transmission operator said that power generation from renewables fully covered Greece’s electricity demand over a few hours last week, for the first time in the history of the country’s electricity system.

Independent Power Transmission Operator (IPTO) said on Monday that renewables accounted for 100% of the power generation for at least five hours last Friday, reaching a record high of 3,106 megawatts.

Like other European countries, Greece has cut its reliance on Russian gas following the war in Ukraine by increasing liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports. It has also boosted coal mining, pushing back its decarbonization plan.

The share of renewables from solar, wind, and hydro stood at 46% of the country’s power mix in the eight months to August this year, from 42% in the same period in 2021, according to Greece-based environmental think-tank The Green Tank.

Greece aims to attract about 30 billion of euros in European funds and private investments to upgrade its electricity grid and more than double its green energy capacity to account for at least 70% of its energy mix by 2030.

It plans to have 25 gigawatts of installed renewable energy capacity from about 10 gigawatts now but analysts say Athens might reach that target sooner.

Originally published on: ekathimerini.com

The creation of the first completely 'green' Greek island has entered the final stretch. The small island of Ai Stratis, with just over 200 inhabitants, is expected to become the first island in Greece to be powered exclusively by electric and thermal energy from renewables, ANA reports.

The small hybrid project in progress on Ai Stratis, a remote Greek island of the northern Aegean, will act as a guide for larger projects.

The plan calls for the small Public Power Corporation (PPC) power plant on the island, which runs on expensive diesel, to fully shut down its operation and for the island to make a transition to full energy autonomy.

The Environment and Energy Ministry granted a unified license to the municipality of Ai Stratis to install a hybrid power plant for the production of electricity using wind and solar and for the storage of electricity with the use of accumulators.

Originally published on: tornosnews.gr

According to ancient myth, the sacred island of Delos was the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis – namesakes in our modern age for the two space missions putting humans on the moon (the Apollo mission sending the first men in 1969, and the current Artemis mission soon to send the first woman).

Today, the island of Delos has also inspired a different mission: to spread knowledge of climate change around the world. Being one of the most important archeological sites in the world (the whole island is an open museum) already affected by the climate crisis and the rising sea level, it appears the perfect spot to send a message from; The “Alpha Mission – Delos” project, created in collaboration with space research centers around the world, aims to combine art and technology to inspire action for the environment.

Representatives from the sectors of arts and culture, space technology, archaeology, and philosophy took part in a unique event at UNESCO’s Paris headquarters, as part of the project. The event consisted of a discussion about the future and how to salvage our planet for the next generations, followed by the screening of last year’s much-talked-about concert at Delos titled “The [Uncertain] Four Seasons.”

For the first time bringing a classical music orchestra for a broadcast concert amongst the ancient ruins on Delos, the performance consisted of an algorithmic re-composition of the Vivaldi classic (The Four Seasons). The work, meant to highlight the uncertainty about the future of our planet, was broadcast live at the Athens Concert Hall then. Contributing musicians included the European Union Youth Orchestra along with Ukrainian and Russian musicians, as well as the Crimean-born and Berlin-based violinist Diana Tishchenko, and Greek virtuoso Sokratis Sinopoulos on the lyra. The concert was dedicated to the pioneering Greek composer Vangelis.

Participants at the event at UNESCO’s headquarters in Paris included the President and co-founder of the World Human Forum, Alexandra Mitsotaki; astrophysicist, planetologist and Director of Research at the National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) in Paris, Athena Coustenis; the philosopher Patrick Viveret; and the Director of the French School of Athens, Véronique Chankowski.

To read this article in full, please visit: greece-is.com

Seven out of the ten top sustainable beaches globally grace the shores of Europe, with two proudly located in Greece. Whether world-renowned or tucked-away gems, Greek beaches stand out for their unparalleled beauty, capturing the admiration of both international media and visitors alike.

Spanning from the Ionian and Cyclades to Crete and the Dodecanese, Greece boasts an array of beaches, inviting travelers to dip their toes into crystalline waters and unwind amidst breathtaking landscapes.

Recently, Greece celebrated a notable achievement as two of its beaches—one in the Aegean and another in the Ionian—claimed spots among the world's top 10 sustainable beaches for 2024, recognized through the esteemed Tripadvisor Travelers Choice Awards.

These accolades were based on user preferences on the popular travel platform, highlighting criteria such as serene waters, pristine sands, family-friendly amenities, cleanliness, and eco-conscious practices observed by beachside establishments. Galissas Beach in Syros and Myrtos Beach in Kefalonia stood out for their commitment to sustainability and guest satisfaction.

Travelers' growing emphasis on environmental stewardship and sustainability significantly influenced their choices for beach destinations. In fact, over half of Tripadvisor users now prioritize eco-friendliness when selecting their next travel spot, underscoring a shifting tide towards responsible tourism practices.

Collaborating with the travel sustainability firm BeCause, data from Blue Flag-certified beaches—indicative of cleanliness and safety—was utilized for the assessment, spanning from May 2023 to April 2024. These findings were complemented by positive reviews highlighting terms such as 'eco-friendly,' 'ecological tourism,' and 'clean water' over a 12-month period, providing a comprehensive overview of each beach's sustainability efforts and appeal.

Originally published in Greek on: intronews.gr