Exiting coal (Ptolemaida - 95km)
A return to coal because of the current energy crisis will undermine Greece’s climate goals and increase costs. Increased participation of properly planned and sited renewable energy sources in the energy mix is essential.
Blue Flag and Green Key for sustainable management in tourism (Katerini, Olympiaki akti- 225Km)
Tourism is responsible for 8% of global emissions, mainly from transport and food, and often has a significant environmental footprint at the destination level. Sustainable tourism management is critical in addressing the climate crisis.
With more than 1,100 Blue Flag and Green Key awarded sites, Greece ranks second among 60 countries internationally. HSPN is the national operator for these programmes for sustainable management of the coastal zone and tourism enterprises. Participation in the two programmes and compliance with their strict criteria, reduces the environmental and climate footprint, protects biodiversity, and strengthens local communities. Through targeted educational actions, the programmes contribute towards the development of sustainable models and behaviours that play a key role in addressing climate change and adapting to its effects.
Project LIFE ForOpenForests (Anthili– 455km)
Small wetlands, like Mediterranean temporary ponds that are highly dependent on precipitation, and localised species with limited distribution and specialised ecological requirements, like our endemic plants, are especially threatened by climate change.
The high altitude grasslands of Mt Oiti host a great wealth of biodiversity, includingVeronica oetaea, a tiny endemic plant found only in three temporary ponds and nowhere else in the world. Climate change threatens it by affecting the water cycle of the ponds and indirectly by aiding forest expansion that swallows the grasslands. HSPN was the coordinator of “LIFE ForOpenForests” project for conservation of habitats and species on Mt Oiti and nearby Mt Kallidromo. HSPN leads or participates in other climate related projects such as “NewLIFE4Drylands” and “LIFE PRIMED” aiming to increase habitat resilience.
Forest fires (Marathon Dam – 685km)
Wildfires are an integral, even necessary, element of Mediterranean forest ecosystems. However, climate-driven aridity and prolonged hot periods increase their occurrence and intensity, with devastating ecological, financial and social consequences.
Over the last 40 years, more than 10,000 wildfires per year have destroyed some 180,000ha of forests. Tackling them is becoming increasingly harder because of climate change, increased combustible material because of declining forest management,unregulated urban expansion leading to a mix of settlements and forest, and a firefighting policy relying heavily on suppression rather than prevention, leading to degradation of the natural environment, damages to infrastructures and loss of human lives. HSPN implements relevant actions in the context of its environmental education network “Learning About Forests” and, since 2018, specific fire prevention educational programmes in Kythira, Phthiotis, Boeotia and Ilia.
Education for Sustainable Development (Athens, Acropolis – 740km)
Education is crucial to promote climate action by raising awareness, supporting young people to make informed decisions and inspiring change.
With a nation-wide network of almost 450 schools and some 50, 000 students every year, HSPN contributes significantly to Greece’s Education for Sustainable Development. In three international FEE programmes, Eco Schools, Learning about Forests, Young Reporters for the Environment,approved by the Ministry of Education, 2,000 teachers comprise a wide community of practice. Dozens of training events by ESD experts and experienced teachers take place each year, in which thousands of teachers participate. New educational material is constantly compiled to address major environmental issues; campaigns, competitions and debate tournaments are also organized, enabling students to develop citizenship and leadership skills.
Start of the sea crossing to Cyprus
The eastern Mediterranean region is warming 20% faster than the global average.The impacts of climate change will exert additional pressure on already strained ecosystems and on vulnerable economies and societies.
Greece has a 16,000km-coastline, some 10,000 islands, and the cleanest waters and shores of all European Mediterranean countries. The coastal zone hosts 57% of our population, 90% of tourism, 80% of industry, 35% of agriculture and almost all fisheries activity, so climate change impacts pose a significant threat. Acidification and warming of sea water will affect marine ecosystems and increase invasion by alien species, threatening biodiversity and fisheries; climate-driven extreme weather phenomena will intensify coastal erosion; sea level is predicted to rise by about 1.3-2.5cm per decade; island communities and tourism will be impacted by increasing temperatures and aridity.
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The Hellenic Society for the Protection of Nature is an environmental non-governmental organization of Panhellenic range that has been active since 1951 for the protection of the Greek natural environment.
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