The goals for the sustainable development of the Basin and the 7 axes that will make it Attica as the first “green” Region of the country, presented by regional governor of Attica, Nikos Hardaliasspeaking at the 9th Energy Transition Symposium organized by the Hellenic Association for Energy Economics in Maroussi.

“We know well how we will achieve the goal of creating a truly sustainable Region. We have the plan, we have the will and we take the responsibility to put it into practice, with specific initiatives and policies, with projects that will concern the protection of the environment and dealing with the consequences of the climate crisis”, emphasized the regional governor, emphasizing the Metropolitan model administration that promotes for the largest Region of the country.

In particular, Mr. Hardalias stated that:

1. Interventions are planned in critical sectors, such as traffic and urban mobility, which will significantly improve the daily life of residents and upgrade the image received by visitors.

2. Emphasis is placed on the operation of an even more effective Civil Protection system so that citizens feel completely safe for their lives and property. In this context, he added, the priority is the implementation of a series of necessary anti-flooding projects, especially in the high-risk zones.

3. The principles of sustainable development and the circular economy are adopted as well as a modern solid waste management system, which promotes recycling and definitively puts an end to the burial of waste. For the implementation of the action, the securing of resources of more than 70 million euros is promoted, for the purchase and placement of recycling corners, while financial incentives are provided to municipalities to reduce waste, applying the “polluter pays” principle.

4. The great possibilities offered by technology and in particular the adoption of Artificial Intelligence in the Region’s operating model and tools are exploited. In fact, the Region of Attica was the first, Mr. Hardalias recalled, to put into operation an electronic stream observatory platform, constantly recording the degree of their cleaning.

5. An integrated wastewater management and marine environment protection plan is being implemented. In fact, the new Koropi-Peania Sewage Treatment Center with a budget of 112.9 million euros was recently put into use, which was built through the utilization of NSRF resources by the Attica Region, while the construction of other similar units for the area of Eastern Attica and the Municipalities of Spata Artemis, Rafina-Pikermio and Markopoulos Mesogaia.

6. The Metropolitan parks are upgraded through a holistic budget plan of 43 million euros, with the aim of their complete aesthetic and functional upgrade. The implementation of an extensive tree planting program and the implementation of an integrated masterplan for the restoration of burned areas are also in the planning.

7. Targeted interventions have already been implemented for the energy upgrade of public buildings and infrastructure as well as actions to reduce energy costs (such as saving energy in the district’s street lighting by installing over 30,000 LED light fixtures that make them streets brighter and safer).

“We ensure in every way that the benefits of the “green” development and transition will be enjoyed by the citizens of all 66 municipalities of Attica, without exclusion, giving special weight to areas that until now had been wronged”, said the regional governor, speaking for the need to change the existing institutional framework.

“Working with the government, we share a common vision to develop the Basin and improve the quality of life. At the same time, we claim from the central state the responsibility and the right to manage all major projects related to the difficult undertaking we have undertaken.

We ask to have the first say and role and we accept to shoulder the main responsibility for what is done but also for what is not done” noted Mr. Hardalias and added: “It is not functional for another body of the state to finance, another to study, another to proclaim and another to execute e.g. a flood control project. This story has to end at some point.”