Can there be a convergence between economic development and environmental protection? The debate on “Economic development and marine protection” that took place in the context of the 9th Delphi Economic Forum attempted to answer this question.

The panel was attended by general secretary of Shipping and Ports of the Ministry of Shipping and Insular Policy Evangelos Kyriazopoulos, the director of the Ephorate of Antiquities (EFA) of Cyclades and Dodecanese Dimitris Athanasoulis, the Head of Research of the independent, non-profit research organization “diaNEOSis”, Faye Makandasis and the Professor of the School of Agronomists and Topographical Engineering of the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA) and President Board of Directors of the Natural Environment and Climate Change Organization Maria P. Papadopoulou. The discussion was moderated by the Executive Director of the A. K. Laskaridis Foundation, Angeliki Kosmopoulou, who set the framework for the topic, emphasizing the need for spatial planning in economic development. Mrs. Kosmopoulou sent a message of optimism for the search for the golden balance and for economic development to go hand in hand with environmental protection.

E. Kyriazopoulos: We need young people in the entire spectrum of the maritime economy

“Our young people have turned their backs on the sea” said the Secretary General of Shipping and Ports of the Ministry of Shipping and Island Policy, Mr. Evangelos Kyriazopoulos, recalling the significant progress being made in the field of infrastructure projects with a positive environmental impact as well as the important moves that the Greek shipping community is doing in the same direction. At the same time, he emphasized the need for spatial planning that will allow further economic development at the same time as the protection of the environment and especially of the sea.

“Shipping is a key pillar of economic development” emphasized Mr. Kyriazopoulos, underlining that the transport of goods by sea is seven times cheaper and more environmentally sound than the corresponding rail transport and thirty times compared to air transport. At the same time, he reminded that although shipping is only responsible for 2.9% of total carbon dioxide emissions, it is on a course of exploring new greener technologies in fuel and more environmentally friendly transport by sea. Finally, he recalled the important role of the Coast Guard in the protection of the marine environment through actions and educational programs.

D. Athanasoulis: Need for clear boundaries in development

For his part, the director of the Ephorate of Antiquities (EFA) of Cyclades and Dodecanese, Dimitris Athanasoulis, made a historical review of the relationship between the management and consumption of natural resources and the development of human communities and economies.

“Until the 20th century there was no problem because there were enough natural resources. When it was realized that resources are finite, the need to protect the environment was born to promote a sustainable way of economic development. Accordingly, as he said, the connection between development, investment and the protection of the cultural environment came at the end of the 20th century. Then it was understood that there are other types of opportunities for investment, protection and maintenance of cultural monuments, which in turn can lead to the development of other sectors of the economy, such as tourism. However, he underlined the need for clear boundaries as, he said, when tourism does not incorporate sustainability, it consumes resources in an environment where they are finite.

F. Makandasis: The third most important threat to the future of Greece is the climate crisis

The Head of Research of the independent, non-profit research organization “diaNEOSis”, Faye Makandasis, mentioned the new findings of the survey “What the Greeks think” that will be announced in the near future. These include:

The third most important threat to the future of Greece is climate change, with economic and demographic risks occupying the first two positions.
Globally, climate change is the most important threat to Greeks
88% believe that climate change is already affecting or will negatively affect their lives in the coming years
9 out of 10 believe that it negatively affects marine life, while 83% believe that a lot of seafood and fish should not be consumed due to overfishing and contamination.
76% believe that coastal countries like Greece will be more affected by climate change
9 out of 10 proceed to use greener light bulbs or recycle in order to protect the environment, while 44.7% participate in collective actions such as reforestation and beach cleanups. As Mrs. Makandasi pointed out, the findings show that there is a great interest and willingness to participate in the protection of the environment on an individual and not a collective level.

At the same time, he emphasized that earlier research had shown that the average Greek man and woman emits 7 tons of carbon dioxide per year, while with the goals of Fit for 55 he should reduce this figure to 3 tons per year.

In addition, he underlined that there are perceptual gaps among Greeks as 3 out of 4 believe that arson is responsible for the fires, while more than half believe that they are followed by the construction of wind turbines. One in three believes that wind turbines harm the environment. Finally, presenting a series of figures, Mrs. Makandasi emphasized that natural disasters, such as in Thessaly, significantly burden the economy, while the increase in temperature in the coming years is expected to push energy costs and consumption upwards and burden the Health System.

M.P. Papadopoulou: Natura areas can be a driving force for development through rational management

Greece has 446 Natura areas that are “precious wealth and natural capital for the country”, said the Professor of the School of Agronomists and Topographical Engineering of the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA) and President of the Board of the Natural Environment and Climate Change Organization (OFYPEKA) Maria P Papadopoulou. As he said, the rules, prohibitions and conditions concerning these areas are not horizontal, while he emphasized that OFYPEKA provides the possibility to control and advance projects and activities with specific specifications and conditions within these areas. In this way, according to Mrs. Papadopoulou, there can be a development perspective in sectors such as the primary sector and that of services, creating new jobs.

In this context, he recalled a 2017 study that showed that over 9,500 jobs with new professions for young people could be created through the rational management of these areas. “The rational functioning of Natura areas is crucial in order for them to be a driving force for development,” he concluded.