Blog 8

Greece is one of many countries with beautiful scenery and breathtaking views. Ensuring that their environment is protected is a process that will take time and money. The consumption production and reduction goal is one that should be heavily implemented in order for their environment sustainability to be a success.

Some of their biggest accomplishments thus far is lowering NOx and CO2 emissions and decreasing the energy intensity; reliance on natural gas has significantly gone down. Water use for irrigation has increased, agriculture and industry sectors are declining or have no change in their production, yet the transportation has grown due to international tourism. This is the mission that the Ministry of Environment has for combating climate change. (United Nations 2018)

Other than their current steps Greece has taken to complete this goal, they have also worked on creating stricter environmental regulations. Marine pollution is a problem, and to combat this aspect they have created a new wastewater treatment infrastructure. To pay for this they have been working on the water pricing which they claim is a “challenge.” (United Nations 2018)

Some incentives Greece has put into effect are Green Growth and the Environmental Impact Assessments. These both protect natural resources and affect the building of infrastructure and public works projects. These were created to enhance the quality of life in respect for the environment and strengthen the mechanisms and institutions currently in place.

A goal they have set, but have made small progress in is establish marine and off-shore wind installations as a source of renewable energy. (United Nations 2018) There has been small progress made here because they lack the finances to get it up and going quickly, but in time, they will hopefully reach the desired funds. Another goal they have been working hard towards is the promotion of recycling. Living near the ocean has its downsides since some pollution ends up there. This goal is probably one of the most significant that they should be working towards. Lastly, the implementation of eco-labels have been successful towards this goal. These have been placed on the market to help advertise products as eco-friendly. However, there is a small number of products that have these eco-labels, but in time with education and availability of more products, consumers will start purchasing these products.

Tourism is a factor in Greece that requires the most attention. Greece receives a lot of its money from tourism because of its scenery and activities to partake in there. The construction of facilities and services has heavy restrictions because of Greece trying to protect their ecosystems. (WWF Greece 2009) There is a lot of research that needs to be done to determine the effectiveness of these steps they need to take and what order they should take them in.

United Nations. (2018). The ten-year framework of programs on sustainable consumption and production patterns. Retrieved from https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/content/documents/dsd/dsd_aofw_ni/ni_pdfs/NationalReports/greece/Greece_CSD18-19-Chapter_V-10YFP-SCP.pdf

WWF Greece. (2009). Climate change impacts Greece in the near future. Retrieved from https://www.bankofgreece.gr/RelatedDocuments/WWF_Climate_change_impacts_in_Greece_in_the_near_future.pdf