The Minister of Environment and Energy presented both the Government’s energy policy and the actions of the Ministry of the Interior for the protection of the marine environment
Energy and environmental Greece-USA cooperation and the policies of the Greek Government for energy efficiency and exports were discussed at the meeting held today by the Minister of Environment and Energy, Kostas Skrekaswith US President Joe Biden’s Special Climate Envoy, John Kerry. The meeting was also attended by the Deputy Minister of Environment and Energy, Giorgos Amyras, the Secretary General of Natural Environment and Water, Petros Varelidis, the US Ambassador to Greece, George Tsounis and the Climate Policy Officer of the Office of Global Change of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of USA, Rohemir RamÃrez Ballagas.
In particular, according to the Ministry of the Interior:
– The Greek-Egypt energy interconnection and its multi-level importance for the whole of Europe were discussed. Mr. Skrekas explained how the electrical systems of Greece and Egypt will be connected, with the creation of a common, vital field of economic and energy cooperation, he referred to the benefits that this development will have for the energy transition and the response to the climate crisis, with given that it will transport green energy produced by RES in Egypt to Greece and requested that this plan be included in the Initiative undertaken by Mr. Kerry, which addresses the pressing global challenges from climate change.
– The initiative taken by Greece to organize the 9th International Conference “Our Ocean Conference” in 2024, in cooperation and with the support of the USA, was also discussed. Among the topics to be considered at the 9th Congress are the effects of climate change and pollution on marine ecosystems, the problem of illegal and uncontrolled fishing and the issue of environmentally sustainable maritime transport and shipping.
The Minister of Environment and Energy, Kostas Skrekas, presented both the Government’s energy policy, as well as the actions of the Ministry of the Interior for the protection of the marine environment and the measures included in the National Waste Prevention Program 2021-2030, in the National Waste Plan 2020- 2030, as well as in the new Action Plan for the circular economy. At the same time, Mr. Skrekas highlighted the importance of international and regional cooperation in dealing with marine pollution and highlighted the relevant initiatives that Greece is participating in.
Also, the initiatives of the USA were discussed. for the climate, for which Greece’s support has been requested, such as the “Ocean Conservation Pledge” initiative to protect marine biodiversity and the “Net-Zero Government Initiative” to achieve zero emissions from government operations, until 2050.
Finally, the two sides discussed the US initiative. “Green Shipping Challenge” to be announced by the American President, Joe Biden, in the context of the next UN Summit. on climate change (COP 27), in Egypt, in November. The initiative is part of the actions to achieve zero emissions from shipping by 2050 and aims to reduce emissions from ships, upgrade port infrastructure, use biofuels and create green maritime corridors. Mr. Skrekas referred to the initiative of the Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, for the creation of a European Research Center for alternative marine fuels and technologies with the aim of decarbonizing maritime transport.
After the meeting was over, the Minister of Environment and Energy, Kostas Skrekas, made the following statement: “Today, we had an extremely constructive discussion with Special Envoy Kerry and the American delegation about the initiatives that the USA is undertaking regarding with the climate, as well as the actions implemented by our country to deal with climate change. In 2024, Greece, in collaboration with the United States of America, will organize a very important International Conference, the “Our Ocean Conference”, with the aim of addressing the effects of climate change, overfishing and marine pollution. In addition, the Greek government has committed to the inclusion of 30% of the Greek seas in a protected status and a third of them in a status of absolute protection. Greece and the USA can benefit significantly from the cooperation between us on the Climate, and at the same time contribute decisively to the battle of all Humanity against climate change”.
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