Greece is facing a climate crisis that demands urgent action, warns Kostas Kartalis, Professor at the University of Athens. ‘We’ve built our country for a climate that no longer exists,’ he told the Athens-Macedonian News Agency. With heatwaves, droughts, and wildfires intensifying, Kartalis calls for a major overhaul of productive sectors and infrastructure to withstand these changes, ahead of his participation in the 10th Delphi Economic Forum, set for April 9-12, 2025.
Tag: sustainability
The 10th Delphi Economic Forum, taking place from April 9-12, 2025, will bring together over 1,000 global leaders, policymakers, and entrepreneurs in the historic city of Delphi. Recognised as a key platform for international dialogue, the forum will focus on critical issues such as the economy, geopolitics, sustainability, and technological advancements. Held under the auspices of the President of the Hellenic Republic, this prestigious event highlights Greece’s growing role in shaping the future of Europe and the world.
Starting April 1, 2025, Greek consumers can enjoy lower electricity rates under a new summer timetable introduced by the Hellenic Electricity Distribution Network Operator (HEDNO). The bi-zonal tariff offers discounted prices from 11:00 to 15:00 and 02:00 to 04:00, reflecting Greece’s push for affordable and sustainable energy through increased reliance on renewables.
Katheris’ effort addresses the issue of increasing photovoltaic (PV) occurring after solar panel discarding.
In a historic move, Greece has launched the construction of “Daedalus,” a state-of-the-art supercomputer set to position the nation as a leader in artificial intelligence. Announced by Digital Governance Minister Dimitris Papastergiou at the Lavrio Technological Cultural Park, the €58.9 million project—funded by the EU’s NextGenerationEU—will deliver a computing powerhouse with 89 Petaflops of performance, ranking among the world’s top systems by 2026. Housed in a revamped industrial heritage site, “Daedalus” will drive innovation in AI, healthcare, and sustainability, marking a bold step into the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
Between January 2023 and May 2024, only 59 out of the 929 illegal construction cases have been resolved.
Greece’s newly appointed ministers took office following a cabinet reshuffle, with Finance Minister Kyriakos Pierrakakis targeting wage hikes and job growth, Infrastructure Minister Christos Dimas tackling critical projects, and Education Minister Sofia Zacharaki prioritizing quality education. Migration Minister Makis Voridis vowed to curb illegal migration, while Environment Minister Stavros Papastavrou emphasized sustainability and renewable energy, signaling a bold agenda for progress and reform.
The “Greek Breakfast” event at the Museum of Cycladic Art on March 8, 2025, celebrated women’s vital role in gastronomy, with Minister Olga Kefalogianni announcing a new National Network for Agritourism and Gastronomy. Organized by the Greek Tourism Ministry and the Hellenic Chamber of Hotels, the gathering highlighted local products and included a tasting curated by Chef Argyros Koutsou.
Greece is set for a record-breaking tourism year in 2025, with Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni expressing optimism at the ITB Berlin exhibition. Early signs from the global travel market are overwhelmingly positive, with major industry players viewing Greece as a long-term investment. The country’s tourism strategy focuses on sustainability, extending the season, and promoting emerging destinations. Despite geopolitical uncertainties, Greece’s resilience as a safe and reliable destination remains a key strength, ensuring the country’s continued appeal to international travelers.
Greece’s Interministerial Strategic Investments Committee has given the green light to three major projects worth a combined €1.22 billion, marking a significant step towards fostering economic growth and sustainability in the country’s tourism sector.
Amazon has announced three new renewable energy projects in Greece, increasing its total investments in the country to eight. These projects, including solar and wind farms in Thessaly, Western Greece, and Western Macedonia, will generate 657 MW of coal-free energy—enough to power 330,000 households. As the largest corporate buyer of renewable energy in Greece and Europe in 2024, Amazon reinforces its commitment to a carbon-free future while supporting local communities and economic growth.
Greece is transforming a former airport into a €7.5 billion futuristic city called Ellinikon. This ambitious project will feature Greece’s first skyscraper, a massive shopping mall, a sprawling sports park, and luxury residences, all while prioritizing sustainability and coastal views. Expected to be completed by 2037, Ellinikon aims to boost Greece’s economy, attract a million new tourists annually, and create 80,000 jobs.
Dive into a new adventure! Chania, Greece, will soon unveil a spectacular underwater park featuring artificial reefs and sunken warships. Opening in 2025
In a renewed commitment to promoting electric mobility, the Greek government has extended free parking for electric vehicles in municipal lots until the end of 2026. This initiative, initially part of a comprehensive 2020 package to encourage electric vehicle adoption, aims to reinforce Greece’s sustainability efforts amidst scrutiny over previous transportation restrictions.
Greece and the UAE are joining forces to address water resource management challenges, with a focus on tackling climate change impacts. Deputy Minister Stefanos Gikas and UAE Minister Abdulla Balalaa discussed plans to establish a working group to explore solutions and align efforts ahead of the 2026 UN Water Conference.
The boom of Airbnb in Athens has transformed the city’s central neighborhoods into thriving tourist hotspots, driving up rent prices and displacing local residents. While tourism fuels economic growth, it also creates challenges for the city’s infrastructure and social fabric, prompting debates over sustainable management and regulation.
Greece has launched a €434 million energy-saving program to help homeowners improve energy efficiency in their primary residences. The initiative, targeting vulnerable populations, supports upgrades like thermal insulation, renewable energy systems, and smart home technologies, aiming for a 30% reduction in energy consumption. Applications are now open.
Turkish Airlines has launched its “UNESCO Türkiye Series” amenity kit collection, inspired by six UNESCO World Heritage sites in Turkey, including Ephesus, Cappadocia, and Troy—each with deep connections to ancient Greece and the Hellenistic period. Available to Business Class passengers on flights ranging from five to eight hours, the kits blend the country’s rich cultural history with modern design and sustainability. Developed in collaboration with the Turkish National Commission for UNESCO, these kits offer travelers a unique way to connect with Türkiye’s ancient past, including its Greek heritage, while flying in comfort.
Athens International Airport is launching a major expansion project to accommodate growing passenger numbers. The first phase, budgeted at €650 million, will increase capacity to 33 million passengers by 2028 and includes an expanded terminal, new aircraft parking, and a multi-story parking garage. Further phases are planned to reach a capacity of 50 million passengers.
Starting in 2024, the European Union will enforce USB-C chargers as the standard for mobile devices, aiming to simplify charging, reduce waste, and generate savings for consumers. This regulation marks a significant move towards sustainability and uniformity in charging technologies across the EU.