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Greece has been struggling with environmental sustainability issues, with air pollution being a significant concern. The country's heavily populated cities, such as Athens and Thessaloniki, have been battling toxic air quality due to transportation emissions and the burning of fuel in factories. To address this, Greece had previously banned diesel cars in these two cities, resulting in a significant reduction in nitrogen dioxide levels from 1996 to 2006. However, the ban was lifted in 2012, leading to a backtrack in air quality improvements. Greece is now introducing electric vehicles and promoting public transport to reduce air pollution. Athens, in particular, is creating pocket parks and pedestrian-friendly areas to tackle pollution and heatwaves, aiming to provide green spaces and improve the quality of life for its residents. While these efforts are ongoing, Greece continues to face challenges in enforcing environmental laws and addressing the impact of mass tourism and economic growth on its ecosystems.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Creating "pocket parks" | Athens has started creating "pocket parks" to tackle pollution and heat. Small plots formerly filled with garbage and weeds are being transformed into green spaces. |
| Closing roads | Roads are being closed to create pedestrian and bike routes. |
| Repairing old fountains | Old fountains, which lower temperatures and improve air quality, are being repaired. |
| Banning diesel cars | Greece had benefitted from long-standing bans on diesel cars in its two biggest cities, Athens and Thessaloniki. This led to a decrease in nitrogen dioxide from traffic. However, the ban was lifted in 2012. |
| Energy-efficient cars | Nissan will be building a facility in Greece where energy-efficient cars will be made available to the public. |
| Improving fuel quality | Fuel quality has improved in big cities, leading to better air quality. |
| Promoting public transport | The promotion of public transport has helped reduce air pollution in big cities. |
| Less polluting private cars | The use of less polluting private cars has contributed to improved air quality in big cities. |
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Athens' pocket parks
Athens, Greece's capital, has embarked on an initiative to construct "pocket parks" to combat pollution and heat. These pocket parks are small plots of land that were previously strewn with garbage and weeds and have now been transformed into lush green spaces. The initiative is part of a broader effort to make the city more environmentally friendly, lower temperatures, and enhance the quality of life for its residents, as stated by Athens Mayor Kostas Bakoyannis.
The pocket parks in Athens are strategically tucked between rows of apartment blocks, providing a much-needed respite from the surrounding concrete jungle. Each park typically features a strip of green with a few trees, some plants, and a bench, creating a calming atmosphere within the bustling city. The Municipality of Athens has already established four pocket parks in the districts of Kypseli, Kolonos, Pangrati, and Metaxourgeio, with plans to expand to other neighbourhoods and the city centre.
Athens has a history of population explosions, particularly after World War II, when migration from rural areas led to uncontrolled urban development. The concept of "antiparochi," where landowners exchanged plots of land for apartments, resulted in the replacement of detached houses with rows of apartment blocks. This rapid urbanisation, coupled with increasing car ownership, contributed to the city's chronic pollution and heat issues.
The creation of pocket parks is just one aspect of Athens' strategy to address these challenges. The city has also closed traffic lanes, converting them into bike routes and pedestrian walkways, reducing the number of vehicles on the road, which are responsible for 70% of greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, old fountains, which have a cooling effect and improve air quality, are being repaired.
The pocket parks initiative is aligned with the "Adopt Your City" program and is inspired by similar projects in the US and the UK, where pocket parks have been effective in tackling crime and isolation in densely populated areas while protecting the environment. The parks are designed with sustainability in mind, utilising eco-friendly concrete, recycled wood benches, and an array of carefully selected plants to create year-round green spaces.
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Reducing traffic
Greece has been taking several measures to reduce traffic and its adverse effects on the environment. The country has a long history of battling air pollution, especially in its most populated area, the Greater Athens Area, located in Attica.
One of the key approaches to reducing traffic congestion and its resulting pollution is the creation of "pocket parks". These parks are small plots of land that were previously covered with garbage and weeds, and they serve multiple purposes. By transforming these spaces into green areas, the city aims to lower temperatures, improve air quality, and enhance the quality of life for its residents. This initiative is part of a broader effort to make Athens greener and more sustainable.
Athens has also implemented a range of traffic reduction strategies. They have closed traffic lanes and converted them into bike lanes, pedestrian walkways, and green spaces. Additionally, they have introduced an odd-even traffic regulation system, where cars with license plates ending in odd numbers can drive in the city centre on odd days, while even-numbered plates are allowed on even days. This system aims to reduce the overall number of vehicles on the road.
Furthermore, Greece has focused on improving public transportation to encourage people to opt for more sustainable travel options. They have replaced old buses with new ones equipped with anti-pollution devices and improved bus routes to serve distant neighbourhoods better and link various areas efficiently. The introduction of dedicated bus lanes has significantly increased the average hourly speed of buses, making public transportation more attractive to commuters.
In the past, Greece had a long-standing ban on diesel cars in its two biggest cities, Athens and Thessaloniki. This ban, in place from 1996 to 2006, resulted in a significant reduction of nitrogen dioxide from traffic, with levels halving during that period. However, the ban was lifted in 2012, leading to an increase in diesel car sales and a potential setback in air quality improvements.
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Electric vehicles
The Greek government has introduced several incentives to make EVs more accessible and attractive to residents. One such incentive is the "I Move Electrically 3" programme, which offers extensive subsidies for the purchase of battery electric vehicles (BEVs). Individuals can receive a 30% subsidy on the net retail price, up to €9,000. Additional bonuses are available for scrapping old vehicles, with a €2,000 scrappage bonus for vehicles that are 10 years or older. Young buyers (aged 29 or younger), large families, and people with disabilities receive an additional €1,000 subsidy. Taxis are also incentivized with a 40% subsidy, up to €17,500, plus a mandatory €5,000 scrappage bonus.
Greece has also implemented tax breaks for electric vehicles. BEVs are exempt from registration tax, and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) and hybrid vehicles emitting less than 50 g of CO₂/km receive significant reductions in registration tax. Furthermore, EVs are exempt from certain inner-city access restrictions aimed at curbing air pollution in urban areas like Athens. EV owners also benefit from free parking and are eligible for subsidies when installing home or company charging stations.
The expansion of EV charging infrastructure is another crucial aspect of Greece's efforts. The country has announced a €100 million plan to subsidize the purchase of EVs and chargers, with the goal of installing 1,000 new charging stations and 10,000 charging points in the coming years. This includes the installation of charging stations in major cities like Athens and Thessaloniki in public spaces, parking lots, and shopping centers. All municipalities are required to maintain EV charging stations within their jurisdiction, making it more convenient for EV drivers to find charging options.
The adoption of EVs in Greece is expected to contribute significantly to the country's renewable energy goals. Greece is already a leader in solar and wind energy due to its abundant sunlight and favorable wind conditions. By pairing renewable energy sources with EVs, the country can create a closed-loop system that reduces its dependence on fossil fuels. This is further supported by the planned phase-out of internal combustion engines, with the Greek government aiming to ban the sale of new cars with combustion engines from 2030.
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Water quality
Water is an increasingly precious commodity in Greece, and climate change could see demand outstrip supply in the future. Greece draws more than 40% of its usable water from groundwater aquifers, and in places like Crete and Corinth, groundwater is being extracted faster than it can be recharged. This not only depletes the aquifer but also allows saltwater to seep in, contaminating the supply.
To address this, the Greek government has announced a €5.9 billion plan to address the water crisis. The plan includes 2,127 projects, with a mix of new initiatives and upgrades, costing a total of €5.871 billion. The aim is to ensure an adequate water supply, improve drinking water quality, digitisation, and energy savings. The government also intends to reduce the number of suppliers by 75% to improve efficiency and introduce new pricing and social protection criteria to ensure fair water management.
The country is also investing in renewable energy projects, with an initial commitment of €166 million, rising to €450 million. This includes improvements in wind and solar energy, which will make desalination more cost-effective and environmentally friendly. Greece already has the capacity to produce approximately 200,000 cubic meters of freshwater daily using desalination, and the government plans to expand decentralised desalination plants to provide each island with water autonomy.
In addition to these large-scale initiatives, there is also a focus on water-saving techniques at the household level. Some Greek homes already have water-efficient fixtures, such as high-efficiency showerheads and dual-flush toilets. Public education campaigns can also encourage simple behaviours like taking shorter showers, turning off faucets when not in use, and only flushing the toilet when necessary. These small changes can lead to significant water savings.
To further improve water quality and address pollution, Greece has designated 89 sensitive areas that require more stringent wastewater treatment. Urban wastewater is treated in plants across the country before discharge, and Greece is also participating in the Mediterranean Pollution Monitoring and Research Programme (MED POL/UNEP) to monitor coastal waters and research pollution variables in the Aegean and Ionian Seas and the Saronic Gulf.
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Industrial waste
Greece's natural environment is a significant economic asset, providing ecosystem services such as drinking water, water for irrigation and industry, food, and habitat for biodiversity. However, the country's pursuit of economic and social development, coupled with rapid urbanization, industrial intensification, and tourism expansion, has resulted in environmental neglect. Air, soil, water, and ecosystems are facing serious challenges due to unplanned and careless development.
One of the key issues is the contamination from industrial waste, which is impacting water resources and contributing to land and coastal degradation. Greece is taking steps to address these issues by implementing environmentally appropriate solutions for municipal waste management and working towards achieving the European Union's (EU) stringent recycling goals. The EU provides technical and financial support to Greece to improve its environmental performance and meet common environmental objectives.
One notable example of Greece's efforts to tackle industrial waste is the "Just Go Zero" project on the island of Tilos. In collaboration with Polygreen, a network promoting a circular economy, Tilos has implemented a waste collection system that maximizes the market value of recycled materials. Organic waste is composted, while non-recyclable items like medical masks and used napkins are shredded and used as solid recovered fuel for the cement industry. This project has achieved remarkable success, with Tilos recycling up to 86% of its rubbish and closing down its landfill.
Additionally, Greece is addressing plastic pollution, a significant issue threatening its tourism industry and coastal ecosystems. Strategies include enhancing waste management and collection systems, particularly on islands, and encouraging behavioral changes through signage, incentives, and education. The DAFNI Network of Sustainable Greek Islands, a non-profit organization, is also contributing by sending workers in electric vehicles to collect trash for recycling and reuse on Kythnos Island.
Greece's ancient civilization recognized the impact of human activities on the environment, and the country is now taking steps to address the environmental challenges it faces, including those posed by industrial waste. By implementing sustainable waste management practices and promoting circular economy principles, Greece is working towards mitigating the negative effects of industrial waste on its precious natural environment.
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Frequently asked questions
Greece has implemented various measures to tackle air pollution, including the introduction of electric-powered vehicles, the promotion of public transport, and the improvement of fuel quality. In addition, the country has created "'pocket parks'" and pedestrianized certain areas to reduce traffic congestion and provide green spaces for residents.
Between 1996 and 2006, nitrogen dioxide from traffic was halved in Greece, which was attributed to the bans on diesel cars in Athens and Thessaloniki. However, the ban was lifted in 2012, leading to a significant increase in diesel car sales and a subsequent backtracking in the country's attempts to curb air pollution.
Greece has been working on improving water quality and wastewater treatment, but there is still progress to be made in this area.
Greece has struggled with the environmental impact of industrialization, including pollution from factories and power plants. While there have been some improvements since joining the EU, enforcement of environmental laws has been challenging due to local interests and institutional deficiencies.
Athens has implemented several measures to tackle heatwaves and pollution, including creating "pocket parks", repairing old fountains, closing roads to create pedestrian and bike routes, and promoting electric-powered vehicles. These initiatives aim to make the city greener, lower temperatures, and improve air quality.
