“The national climate law is of historical importance as it defines the institutional framework of our country for the gradual reduction of anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions, in order to address the climate crisis and achieve climate neutrality by 2050.” This was stated by the Minister of Environment and Energy Costas Skrekas, during the presentation, in a press conference, of the new institutional framework that will be the roadmap for the green transition of the country for the coming years.
As Mr. Skrekas characteristically stated: “We want Greece to play a leading role in the effort to deal with the climate crisis”, while as he made known, the public consultation of the bill begins immediately. Answering a question from APE-MPE, Mr. Skrekas stated that the costing of this package of measures will be determined immediately by the revision of the National Plan for Energy and Climate. He added that the challenges for the implementation of the Climate Law have to do with the realization of the consequences of climate change by the society at both national and European level and on the other hand with the provision of financial and human resources for the implementation of the ambitious objectives.
For his part, the Deputy Minister of PEN, G. Amyras, stressed that the climate law introduces a new approach to the economy and especially the environment, with very quantitative characteristics. He added that it is a version of how we will protect biodiversity, as it concerns our lives and the future of our habitats.
In particular, during the presentation made by the Minister of PEN Costas Skrekas and the Secretary General of Natural Environment and Water Konstantinos Arabosis, the quantitative targets that are set, with particular emphasis on the dynamic penetration of RES, are the following:
Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030 compared to 1990.
Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2040 compared to 1990.
Climate neutrality by 2050. “This means that pollutants released from polluting production activities must be fully absorbed.
“If we had 100% RES, our economy would not be affected at all by fluctuations in energy prices from fossil fuels and we could accurately determine the cost of energy,” said Mr. Skrekas.
While as Mr. Aravosis made known: “The goals and the course of achieving the goals will be reviewed every five years, starting from the end of 2024”.
In particular, the new climate law also provides for the following:
Shutdown of all lignite plants no later than December 31, 2028 with a review clause in 2023 – with the aim of acceleration – provided that adequate power and security of supply are ensured.
From 2023, the municipalities undertake the elaboration of Municipal Plans for Reduction of Carbon Dioxide Emissions (DISMEDA), with the aim of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 10% for the year 2025 and 30% for the year 2030, compared to the base year 2019. DISMEDA includes a detailed inventory of energy consumption and CO2 emissions for municipal buildings, stadiums, etc., municipal lighting, municipal water supply and sewerage facilities, municipal vehicles, etc.
Measures for buildings:
From 2023, it is planned to ban oil burners where there is a natural gas network in new buildings. From 2025 ban on the installation of heating oil burners. From 2030 ban on the use of heating oil burners. As Mr. Skrekas pointed out in the already existing financial tools, such as “I save”, the platform of which is expected to open soon, RIS is already planning new ones, in order to strengthen the households in the energy transition, for the replacement of energy consuming devices heating.
In special buildings -industrials, warehouses, commercial buildings, etc.- with a coverage of more than 500 sq.m. for which building permits are submitted from January 1, 2023, excluding tourist accommodation and temples, it becomes mandatory to install photovoltaic or power generation systems or solar thermal systems at a rate corresponding to at least 30% of the coverage.
Exceptions are also made to individual buildings for morphological or aesthetic reasons or to areas with an institutionalized protection regime, such as traditional settlements and listed buildings.
Measures to enhance e-mobility:
From 2023, 1/4 of the new private company cars registered must be purely electric vehicles or hybrid electric vehicles with external emissions up to 50g CO2 / km.
From 2030, the new vehicles to be registered should be zero emissions.
From 2025 in Athens and Thessaloniki all new taxis as well as 1/3 of the new rental vehicles in Athens and Thessaloniki will be electric. The goal is to have about 2,000 electric taxis on the streets by 2023. By December 31, 2023, the measures will be re-examined, with the aim of accelerating and expanding to additional areas, depending on the sufficient availability of charging stations, while as Mr. Skrekas stressed, the process of placing chargers in the cities is accelerating.
Measures to reduce emissions from businesses:
From 2023, specific companies will have to submit an annual report on their carbon footprint for the previous year. Reporting should be completed within the first quarter of each year.
The measure concerns the following companies: Listed companies, credit institutions, insurance companies, investment companies, fixed and mobile companies, water and sewerage companies, courier companies, electricity and gas companies, retail chains with more than 500 employees employees, supply chain service companies.
Reduction of emissions on non-interconnected islands: Aim to reduce emissions by 80% compared to 2019. From 2030, the use of fuel oil for the production of electricity on non-interconnected islands is prohibited.
Climate crisis adaptation measures:
Compulsory risk insurance (condition for the electrification of the building) from 2025 for new buildings in areas of high vulnerability, ie that are in vulnerable areas after plans prepared by the regions.
As it became known, the process of achieving and sharing the burdens in the sub-sectors provided by the climate law: is done through the preparation of five-year coal sectoral budgets for: Electricity and heat generation, transport, industry, buildings, agriculture and livestock, from land use, land use change and forestry.
According to the Secretary General: “For each of the above sectors, sectoral coal budgets will be prepared, starting from 2023 for the period 2026-2030. The process will be repeated every five years for the next five years. “
Climate law also provides for the integration of climate change adaptation into sectoral policies. The following are enacted: National Strategy for Adaptation to Climate Change (ESPKA) and reassessment every decade, which will be prepared by the newly established Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection. Regional Plans for Adaptation to Climate Change (PES). National Observatory for Climate Change Adaptation by the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, which is an open network for the exchange of information and briefing.
Actions are also envisaged to protect cultural and natural heritage from climate change, in the framework of the international initiative undertaken by Greece in cooperation with the United Nations and the International Meteorological Organization.
Finally, as it became known, a National Scientific Committee for Climate Change is being formed, which will function as a technical and scientific advisor to the State.
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