Climate change in Greece
[3] From 2005 to 2021, the per capita carbon dioxide equivalent greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions coming from Greece decreased dramatically.
These emissions occur due to the burning of fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and natural gases, for energy production.
[citation needed] Due to tourist seasonal demand, absence of storage space, and technical restrictions because of solar and wind's high chance of variability, installing renewable energy becomes increasingly more difficult on the NII.
[6] These connectivity offers a two benefits for the NII, as cheaper electricity can be supplied to the islands, and more renewables can be built because the interconnection allows for the balancing of energy amounts due to variable generation and varying demand.
GHG emissions from aviation and shipping are also of increasing importance due to the global rise in domestic and international flights as well as sea cruises and traditional commercial navigation.
[7] This section of transportation has been less regulated than road and aviation, but in 2018, the European Commission did make an amendment to the EU ETS to emphasize the need to take action to reduce emissions from shipping.
The population of Greece will be more likely to demand more electricity for air conditioning during extreme heat events which may result in power outages as seen in 2017 and 2020.
[11] Most Greek forests are fire-adapted, however increase in fire due to climate change threatens the natural equilibrium of the ecosystem.
[21] The bark beetle, which is of high abundance in the Parnitha National Park and Mount Taygetos, is known for causing the death of millions of Firtrees.
[21] As of 2016, over 84% of Europe's aquaculture production comes from marine life that are farmed at sea, which are subject to the environmental conditions that are outside of human control.
[23] The most common Mediterranean aquaculture practice is marine cage farming, and 95% of the total production is made up of European seabass and gilthead seabream.
Due to low water exchange with large oceans and the unique nature of the Mediterranean Basin surrounding the sea, it is one of the areas that is highly affected by climate change.
[22] However, at the population level, the increase of extreme weather events, such as floods, cyclones, and windstorms, could largely offset the benefits caused by the faster rate of growth.
[24] As storms and hurricanes become more frequent and severe, fields of posidonia reduce the power of the waves and currents, and in autumn, the dead leaves float up to the surface and protect again coastal erosion.
These higher temperatures also attract invasive algae species and herbivorous fish, which can leave posidonia meadows completely barren.
The rising sea levels can negatively affect this species as well, causing a regression due to less light reaching the meadows for photosynthesis.
[24] The decline in this species creates a vicious cycle because as the meadows die due to warmer temperatures, the carbon they hold is exposed, releasing CO2 into the atmosphere and continues to fuel global warming.
Heat waves will likely cause mass mortality events of species lower on the food chain such as invertebrate organisms.
One of the most popular tourist destinations in Greece, Santorini, is set to experience a deterioration of optimal thermal comfort conditions.
[30] However, studies are indicating that thermal comfort-based temperature may decrease in the summer period, but increase in spring, autumn and winter, which may alter the tourism industry.
This convention served as the first large scale agreement between signing countries and the UN to reduce the impact that climate change was predicted to have globally.
[44] This program took into account both economic and social parameters and set a restriction for Greece to reduce their contribution to the increase of greenhouse gas emissions, mainly CO2, N2O and CH4, by 15% by 2000.
It is an agreement to follow the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change by setting goals for industrialized countries to limit their greenhouse gas emissions and reduce global warming.
However, a key part of the Kyoto Protocol was the introduction of market mechanisms based on the principle of trading emissions permits.
[47] This allows countries to take action on their own accord in response to climate change as opposed to the Kyoto Protocol, which enforced limitations.
[50] This policy plan lists the potential adaptation measures for all sectors in Greece that are expected to be significantly affected by change.
[49] The Ministry of Environment and Energy (MEEN) is the competent authority to draft the NAS, the group that oversees and revises the strategies.
[53] The law defines climate neutrality as the balance of anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions from their sources and their absorptions by carbon sinks.
[54] This plan outlines Greece's priorities and aims to serve as a key tool in drawing up the national energy and climate policy in the next decade.
[55] Developed after the COVID-19 pandemic, the recovery and resilience plan encourages investments that will help Greece throughout the green and digital transition.
