Greece to curb coal use by 2028 as part of climate law
Greece is to introduce its first climate law, pledging to cut its reliance on coal within six years as part of a move to a carbon “net zero” economy by 2050.
The law comes after the country suffered devastating wildfires this year when summer heat soared that was attributed partly to global warming.
“The national climate law is of historic importance . . . in order to deal with the climate crisis and achieve climate neutrality by 2050,” said Kostas Skrekas, environment and energy minister.
The law foresees an intermediate target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 55 per cent by 2030.
Greece is one of EU countries that relies most heavily on coal for energy and has been a laggard within the EU in cutting emissions. Germany has cut its emissions 38 per cent from 1990 levels, according to UN data, while Greece has cut its emissions by less than 19 per cent over the same period.
“Given Greece’s worse starting point on reducing greenhouse emissions, achieving a 55 per cent reduction by 2030 is certainly challenging but ambitious,” said Nikos Mantzaris, senior policy analyst at the Green Tank in Athens.
As part of its plans Greece will phase out production of lignite, a particularly polluting form of coal, within the next six years. The decision will be reconsidered by 2023 with an eye to accelerating an exit.
The law will also require Greece to move more quickly to cleaner vehicles. By 2025 all-new taxis and a third of new rental cars in the two largest cities, Athens and Thessaloniki, will have to be hybrid or electric vehicles. A ban on other sales of new cars with internal combustion engines will start in 2030, five years ahead of the proposed date by the EU.
Greece’s market share in electric vehicles is very limited while infrastructure is also basic. The country has just 0.1 per cent of all vehicle charging points in the EU
Twice weekly newsletter
Energy is the world’s indispensable business and Energy Source is its newsletter. Every Tuesday and Thursday, direct to your inbox, Energy Source brings you essential news, forward-thinking analysis and insider intelligence. Sign up here.
The law will also end the reliance on heavy oil for electricity production in Greece’s islands. One-quarter of the country’s 200 inhabited islands are not connected to the main grid and rely on the use of heavy oil to cover their energy needs.
According to the new law, by 2030 the islands will not be able to use heavy oil but will still be allowed to use diesel.
In the housing sector, the legislation introduces a ban on oil burners in all new properties from 2023 in areas where the “natural gas network is available”. Oil heating will be completely banned by 2025. Solar panels will be mandatory on appropriate industrial buildings.
However, Greece is not banning exploration for oil and gas, with Athens keen to leave open the possibility of developing reserves in the eastern Mediterranean.
“This legislation is in the right direction but it could be tightened up and it all comes down to its effective implementation,” said Hara Xirou, head of South-East Europe at Eunomia Research & Consulting, a UK-based consultancy.
Climate Capital
Where climate change meets business, markets and politics. Explore the FT’s coverage here.
Are you curious about the FT’s environmental sustainability commitments? Find out more about our science-based targets here