Υπ. Environment and Energy: The most important environmental policies in 2021

The most important interventions of the past year, which give the stigma of the environmental policy of RIS, are presented in the review by APE-MPE.

“Although the report of some interventions could not give a complete picture of the work produced by the ministry in the past, the environmental objectives are of high priority, urgent and the planning has a horizon of ten years”, says in APE-MPE the Secretary General of Natural Environment and Water, Konstantinos Arabosis.

He emphasizes: “In recent years, environmental degradation and the climate crisis have intensified significantly and it was realized that if immediate measures are not taken, the situation will be irreversible.”

For this reason, he points out that: “The policies undertaken by RIS, are aimed at delivering immediate results today and making a difference in the daily lives of citizens, dynamically enhancing the sustainable development of the country.”

“It is particularly crucial to succeed in our work, in order for the country to be led to a new environmentally sustainable era where a new model of green, cyclical, sustainable and climate-neutral development will prevail for the good of all,” the general states in APE-MPE. secretary.

Particularly:

1. Climate law

Climate law refers both to the issue of mitigation, ie the path to climate neutrality, and to adaptation, ie increasing resilience to climate change. The law sets out the intermediate climate targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions for the years 2030 and 2040 and the final target for a zero emission balance in 2050. To achieve this, it provides, inter alia, the formulation and monitoring of in the fields of energy / heat, transport, industry, buildings, agriculture / livestock, waste, land use change and forestry. Their sum will be equal to the national carbon budget.

In fact, the reduction of dependence on fossil fuels is foreseen with the closure of all lignite plants by 2028 at the latest, increase of the share of RES, measures for buildings, businesses, vehicles, environmental licensing of projects, etc.

The model of climate governance is also identified, with the establishment of a government committee to monitor the progress towards climate neutrality, a Scientific Committee on Climate Change with an advisory role and a National Council on Climate Change Adaptation. Finally, an Adaptation Observatory will be set up to manage climate data and the Climate Dialogue Forum will be set up, with the participation of representatives of municipalities, regions, universities, environmental NGOs, businesses, professional organizations, trade unions for consultation. .

The proposal of the national climate law marks the decisive turn of the country towards a new model of sustainable, socially just, cyclical and green development, aiming at the protection of the environment, the planet and human well-being.

2. Forests – Transfer of Forest Services to RIS – Establishment of the Institution of Rehabilitation and Reforestation

An emblematic and enormous change is initiated with the transfer of Forest Services from the Decentralized Services to RIS, under the coordination of the General Directorate of Forests which is responsible for the formulation of the National Forest Policy for the development, promotion, utilization and protection of Forests. and the Natural Environment. The goal is the better organization and operation of forest services. With the transfer of forest services, the best coordination with the decentralized services is achieved. In combination with the change in the legislation that allows the forest services to outsource the projects much faster and with the newly established institution of the Rehabilitation and Reforestation Contractor, a decisive step is being taken to adapt the forest ecosystems to the challenges of climate change. With RIS decisions, the areas covered by asphalt are no longer characterized as forest and soon there will be initiatives to resolve property issues that have arisen in areas where the presumption of public ownership does not apply, such as Crete and the Dodecanese.

3. Forest Maps

The reliable depiction of forest and reforestable areas creates a clear framework for land use throughout the country, which will contribute to economic activity and in particular to attract investment. Following the decisions of the CoC (1364 and 1365/2021) which ruled that Article 48 of Law 4685/2020, regarding the approved forest maps, is in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution, the process of posting the forest maps proceeds in order then complete their ratification process.

4. Roadmap for the circular economy

Another emblematic intervention of the GGFPY contributes in this direction, the New Action Plan (road map) for the Circular Economy, approved by the cabinet, includes 71 actions with a horizon of five years aiming at the sustainable production and consumption of products, the expansion of product life cycle, the use of secondary materials and waste as productive resources, the increase of recycling, but also the reduction of hazardous chemicals. Priority is given to product categories such as plastics, batteries, vehicles, etc.

5. Reducing the effects of some disposable plastics.

Pursuant to Law 4736/2020, which incorporated Directive 904/2019 concerning the reduction of the effects of certain disposable plastic products on National Law, the supply of 10 specific categories of disposable plastic products by entities was prohibited from 1 February 2021. of the public and from the 1st of July the abolition was applied in general in the country by the whole population. The goal is to tackle plastic pollution to all recipients and especially in the marine environment.

6. Modernization of the framework of environmental inspections

The framework of environmental inspections is completely reformed and modernized, with the aim of complying with environmental legislation, with an increase in fines on a case-by-case basis. The draft PD is completed, which introduces the participation of specialized individuals in the control process for the strengthening of environmental inspections and for the protection of the environment with specific terms and conditions. The activation of the Register of Environmental Auditors will contribute to the more complete environmental control of projects & activities and to the implementation of the European Directive on regular environmental inspections, while ensuring the scientific and professional competence of Environmental Auditors and the transparency of transparency.

7. Review of Flood Risk Management Plans & Review of River Basin Plans

At the present stage, GGFPY is already proceeding with the 1st Revision of the Flood Risk Management Plans of the country’s Water Departments and the 2nd Revision of the River Basin Management Plans. It has secured European funding of 10,000,000 euros for the elaboration of all the Plans. The goal is to complete the review by 2022. This project is particularly critical, as the incidence of floods is estimated to increase in the coming years. Integrated and sustainable water resources management is a safeguard against the numerous and ongoing pressures on the aquatic environment due to climate change.

8. OFYPEKA Operation – Attachment of Protected Areas Management Units

The reform of the management system of protected areas that began with Law 4685/2020 and the establishment of the Organization of Natural Environment and Climate Change (OFYPEKA) is also being completed. At the present stage, the transition is taking place from the 36 old Management Bodies of Protected Areas to 24 new Management Units that will be subordinated and supervised by OFYPEKA. For the first 6 bodies the relevant decisions are to be issued by the National Printing Office, while at the same time the decisions for the other Management Units are completed. The activation of the new management system of the protected areas is expected to solve the chronic problems that existed in the operation of the Boards of Directors of the Management Bodies.

As Mr. Aravosis makes known to APE-MPE: “So far, significant progress has been made, however there are several issues in our planning that are still being processed, consulted and are expected to be finalized in the near future.”

It is noted that with a large portfolio the general secretariat of Natural Environment of RIS is responsible for issues related to the management of natural environment and biodiversity, forests, water, climate, air quality and acoustic environment.

In addition, it is responsible for assessing and controlling the impact of projects, projects and facilities on the environment through the exercise of the environmental licensing process and the environmental, energy and mine inspection and coordination of environmental damage management.

Source: AMPE