Ten initiatives for environmental protection were presented by the Deputy Prime Minister Kostis Hatzidakis, while speaking on Thursday evening at an event of the Natural Environment and Climate Change Organisation at the Maroussi Town Hall, on the occasion of World Environment Day.
Hatzidakis noted that “ June 5 is not a celebration for the environment. It is a call for vigilance, a call for action. Because the climate crisis is here. We see it in the huge fires all over the planet. We see it in water scarcity. We see it in
 phenomena that are so unprecedented and had not been observed in all the previous decades.”
The minister underlined that "we have an obligation, primarily those of us in the government, not to celebrate obviously, but to be vigilant and plan for the future". While he presented 10 specific initiatives for environmental protection which, as he stressed, prove that "not only did we not stand idly by, but we took many steps forward, some of them even with serious reactions":
1. Phasing out coal: Through the Just Transition Development Programme, calls for proposals totaling 1 billion euros have been issued. At the same time, projects are progressing in the RES sector. While PPC announced that "Ptolemais 5", the last plant using coal, will be closed at the end of 2026.
2. Promotion of Renewable Energy Sources: Greece is 7th in the world in RES. In 2024, 55% of electricity will come from Renewable Energy Sources.
3. Submarine electrical interconnections of the islands: The interconnection of the Cyclades is progressing, to be completed in 2026.
4. Steps for electromobility.
5. Energy saving actions.
6. Urban and Spatial Planning.
7. Modern waste management.
8. National Reforestation Plan.
9. Untouched Landscapes: A regime of absolute protection was established for nine mountains and 238 beaches of exceptional natural beauty.
10. Modern environmental law