Greece at COP

🌍 Inside COP: Building Bridges for a Sustainable Future With 80,000 people gathered in Baku for COP, the energy is palpable. From high-level UN negotiations to vibrant pavilion discussions, the event buzzes with collaboration, innovation, and action toward the net-zero transition. In a pivotal panel on offshore wind, Tinne Van der Straeten (Ministry of Energy Belgium), Alexandra Sdoukou (Hellenic Ministry of Environment and Energy), and Giles Dickson (WindEurope), moderated by Rikard Scoufias (Hellenic Hydrocarbons and Energy Resources Management Company (HEREMA S.A.) shared insights on how offshore wind can redefine energy systems, especially in land-limited countries like Greece. 🔑 Key Insights: - The panel emphasized the critical need for competitiveness, investor confidence, and transparent revenue streams to drive the offshore wind industry forward. Each panelist offered unique perspectives, underlining the importance of collaboration and strategic planning to unlock the sector’s full potential. - Offshore wind is poised to reshape energy systems globally, offering scalable, reliable, and sustainable solutions. With Greece emerging as a potential regional supply chain hub, and strong momentum across Europe, the future of renewable energy looks bright. 🤝This is where innovation meets action, pushing boundaries to deliver on net-zero goals. #GreeceatCOP #COP29

🌍🇬🇷 Greece at COP29: Leading the Way in Energy Transition and Climate Resilience 👉At COP29, Greece’s presence was powerfully highlighted through the address of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who reaffirmed the nation’s unwavering commitment to sustainability and climate action. His speech laid out a clear and pragmatic vision for the future, emphasizing Greece’s pioneering role in the energy transition and the importance of balanced and inclusive climate policies. Key Highlights of Greece’s Strategy: 1️⃣ A Global Leader in the Energy Transition ✅Greece has reduced emissions by 45% since 2005. ✅Lignite, once the cornerstone of Greece’s energy, now represents just 6% of power generation, a sharp decline from over 50%. ✅Nearly 50% of Greece’s electricity now comes from renewable energy sources, driven by significant investments in wind and solar. ✅The nation is investing in energy efficiency measures, including widespread home insulation, and advancing carbon capture technologies for industrial sustainability. 2️⃣ The Path to an Inclusive Transition Prime Minister Mitsotakis emphasized the critical need to make the energy transition affordable for citizens and viable for businesses to avoid political backlash and safeguard competitiveness. A call for pragmatism over idealism underscored the necessity of balancing speed with adaptability, ensuring no one is left behind. 3️⃣ A Call for European Unity A regulatory reset is vital to allow each country the flexibility to pursue ambitious goals while embracing technological neutrality and innovation. Strengthening Europe’s internal energy market by investing in energy grid expansion is key to lowering prices and advancing the green transition. 4️⃣ Adapting to Climate Shocks Acknowledging the increasing frequency of climate-related disasters, Greece advocates for greater resources to prepare for, respond to, and rebuild after such events. The Prime Minister reminded global leaders that climate action for 2050 must not overshadow the urgency of acting decisively in 2024. Greece remains steadfast in its commitment to the EU Green Deal and its role as a global leader in climate action. The Prime Minister’s message was clear: sustainability and competitiveness must go hand in hand, driven by data, innovation, and a united European vision. 🌱Through strong leadership and concrete policies, Greece is not only transitioning towards a greener future but also setting a benchmark for resilience and inclusivity on the world stage. #GreeceatCOP #COP29

🌍Powering Climate Action: Advancing EU ETS, CBAM, and Global Carbon Pricing, hosted yesterday by Centre for Climate and Energy Analysis (CAKE) Poland, in the Greek Pavilion. Experts gathered to discuss emissions reduction, global cooperation, and CBAM’s impact on climate ambition. Special thanks to Gerassimos Thomas,  Director-General in the Directorate-General for Taxation and Customs Union at the European Commission for his insights. 💡 Let’s keep driving the dialogue forward! #GreeceatCOP #COP29

🌍🇬🇷 Greece at COP29: A Visionary Path Towards Sustainable Development Under the inspiring leadership of Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Prime Minister of the Hellenic Republic, Greece's presence at COP29 has been marked by a strong and dynamic contribution to the global dialogue on climate action and sustainability. Prime Minister Mitsotakis, with his impactful participation at both the World Leaders Climate Action Summit and the launch of Greece’s Pavilion, showcased the nation's steadfast commitment to shaping a sustainable energy policy and addressing the pressing challenges of climate change. These priorities are not merely national objectives but form an integral part of Greece’s active role in shaping strategic international policies for progress and innovation. 🌱 Three Pillars of Greece's Sustainability Vision In his opening address in the Greek Pavilion, Prime Minister Mitsotakis highlighted three critical dimensions of Greece's approach to climate action: 🔹Leading the Energy Transition🔹 Greece has emerged as a frontrunner in the energy transition, with 50% of the country’s electricity already generated from renewable energy sources (RES). This percentage is set to grow as Greece continues to attract significant investments in green technologies and infrastructure. 🔹Balancing Mitigation and Adaptation🔹 Acknowledging that the climate crisis is a present reality, Greece is prioritizing both long-term mitigation strategies and short-term adaptation measures. Substantial investments are being redirected to safeguard citizens from climate-related disasters, while innovative initiatives such as recycling, circular economy practices, and the protection of the unique biodiversity of Greece’s islands form the backbone of the country’s sustainability strategy. 🔹Sustainable Tourism as a Growth Driver🔹 Tourism, a cornerstone of Greece’s economy, is intrinsically linked to sustainability. The Prime Minister called for a collective effort from the political leadership, society, and industry to ensure that tourism not only thrives but also aligns with Greece’s environmental commitments. 🌟 Greece at the Forefront of Global Climate Policy Serving the energy sector, one of the most globalized industries, is both a challenge and a privilege. Greece’s participation at COP29 underlines its dedication to fostering international collaboration in energy, science, technology, and innovation. These fields are vital not only for combating climate change but also for driving human progress and development. 🌿Prime Minister Mitsotakis’s presence at COP29 reflects the Greek government’s determination to address the “hard law” portfolios of energy and climate change, recognizing them as pivotal in building a sustainable future. As he aptly noted, sustainability is not just a national necessity but a global responsibility—and Greece is proud to lead by example. #GreeceatCOP #COP29

🌍 Day 4 at COP29: A Global Stage for Energy Transition and Collaboration 🎥 Wrapping up an inspiring Day 4 of COP29, where the energy sector's brightest minds, leaders, and innovators came together to forge pathways toward a sustainable future. This landmark event exemplifies the coexistence of diverse nations, ethnicities, and cultures—each presenting their unique perspectives and strategies to combat climate change. 🌱✨ 👥 Leaders at the Forefront: Geoffrey Pyatt, Assistant Secretary of State for Energy Resources, USA Lina Mendoni, Minister of Culture, Greece Stefanos Gkikas, Deputy Minister of MINISTRY OF MARITIME AFFAIRS & INSULAR POLICY, Greece. 📢 A standout moment was the launch of #EmpowerMed Women, a transformative initiative for gender equality in energy, spearheaded by Alexandra Sdoukou, Greece's Deputy Minister of Hellenic Ministry of Environment and Energy and Energy, and Enas Shabana, an advocate for empowering women in the energy sector. This initiative reinforced the importance of inclusivity in the path toward a sustainable future. 📒The day's agenda was packed with forward-thinking discussions on some of the most pressing topics in energy transition. Participants delved into demand response and grid flexibility, exploring innovative solutions for smarter grids in collaboration with Deloitte. They examined next-generation energy solutions and green technologies, presented in partnership with Hellenic Association For Energy Economics (HAEE), and debated the critical role of technological evolution in addressing the energy dual challenge and ensuring a just transition for all. 🪧Geopolitics and environmental strategies took center stage as leaders analyzed the complex dynamics of Southeast Europe, an effort supported by the Delphi Economic Forum. The transformation of the gas industry in alignment with energy transition goals, spearheaded by East Mediterranean Gas Forum - EMGF, offered insights into how traditional sectors are adapting to the clean energy imperative. Discussions also looked ahead to the EU Clean Industrial Deal, mapping out its potential impact on Europe’s green future. Clean energy advancements in transportation—spanning aviation, maritime, and land transport—further underscored the multifaceted nature of the energy transition. 🫶More than just a conference, COP29 exemplified the power of collective action and shared purpose. It was a forum where diverse approaches to energy transition converged, providing a platform for global leaders to present their strategies and commitments to combating climate change. Day 4 captured the essence of this mission, showcasing innovation, leadership, and unity in the face of one of humanity’s greatest challenges. #GreeceatCOP #COP29

🌍 Energy, Security, and Cooperation in Southeast Europe The recent discussions on energy security and climate challenges have highlighted the critical importance of regional cooperation and interconnectivity in addressing the pressing issues of our time. 🌐Alexandra Sdoukou, Deputy Minister of Environment & Energy (Greece), stressed the profound impact of climate change on both economic stability and human security, pointing to food shortages, droughts, and severe floods as factors contributing to political instability. She highlighted electrical interconnections across the Mediterranean as tangible examples of cooperation, emphasizing the need for clean energy to foster peace, prosperity, and sustainability. 🌐Geoffrey Pyatt, Assistant Secretary of State for Energy Resources (USA), underscored the Vertical Corridor’s viability, which depends on commercial alignment among stakeholders in Greece, Romania, and Bulgaria, as well as engagement with Central Europe, Ukraine, and Moldova. He emphasized interconnectivity and energy cooperation as drivers of regional stability, pointing to Greece’s pivotal role as an energy hub through projects like the Eastern Mediterranean Interconnectors. 🌐Iva Petrova, Deputy Minister of Energy (Bulgaria), highlighted transformative projects such as the IGB interconnector and the FSRU in Alexandroupolis, emphasizing their role in diversifying energy supplies and ensuring energy security. She also stressed the importance of Vertical Corridor investments for regional resilience. 🌐Sebastian Burduja, Minister of Energy (Romania), focused on the necessity of interconnectivity in electricity and natural gas, pointing to its role in enhancing energy security and reducing energy costs. 🌐Victor Parlicov, Minister of Energy (Moldova), addressed the potential of the Vertical Corridor to transform natural gas geopolitics in Southeast Europe, reducing dependency on traditional suppliers and introducing a new, secure business model for the region. 🤝This dialogue reaffirmed that clean energy and connectivity are more than infrastructure—they are tools for regional security, stability, and progress. #GreeceatCOP #COP29

🌍 Greece at COP29: Day 3 Highlights! 🌍 An action-packed day at the Greek Pavilion with a lineup of dynamic panel discussions exploring the future of sustainable energy and climate resilience! Topics included: 🌊 Offshore Wind Power as a game-changer in reshaping our energy landscape 🤖 AI-Era Technologies for climate and energy resilience 📊 ESG as a driver of Sustainable Development Goals 🌱 Decarbonizing Industry with cutting-edge CCS technologies 🔋 Energy Storage and its crucial role in a net-zero future ⚓️ The Race to Build the World's First Net-Zero Fleet 🇪🇺 Expanding the Southern Gas Corridor via TAP and the Greece-Bulgaria Interconnector ✨Our pavilion buzzed with energy as numerous visitors from across the globe gathered to learn and collaborate, while thousands more joined us online to stay in the loop. None of this would be possible without our incredible team, whose hard work and passion brought Greece’s vision to life on the global stage! 🌱Thank you for joining us as we build a sustainable future, one panel at a time and for being part of this journey – there’s more to come, so keep watching! #GreeceatCOP #COP29

Greece is a prime destination for investment," said Marinos Giannopoulos, CEO of Enterprise Greece SA. 🗣️"With new electricity and gas interconnections, a strong government commitment to energy decarbonization backed by 2 billion euros, and an ambitious new National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP), the foundation for sustainable growth is solid. Greece’s RES target of 24.3 GW, a new offshore development program underway, and the introduction of bilateral Green Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) all make Greece an attractive hub for green energy investments." 📍Greek Pavilion, COP29 #GreeceatCOP #COP29

🔈Julia Souder Chief Executive Officer at Long Duration Energy Storage Council (LDES Council) and Chair of the Global Renewables Alliance (GRA), stated: "Achieving 1.5 terawatts of energy storage by 2030 is essential to secure a sustainable energy future! 💡This target represents not just a milestone but a commitment to accelerate renewable energy deployment and provide the storage solutions needed to empower and strengthen economies worldwide." 🤝With bold goals like these, the path to a sustainable, resilient future is clear. Let's make it happen together! #GreeceatCOP #COP29

🌍 Reflecting on an Inspiring Panel Discussion 🌍 Our panelists explored how ESG practices can help bridge the financing gap toward net-zero by 2050, as the EU requires 60 billion euros annually to advance decarbonization efforts. Panelists discussed how ESG strategies support the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement, aligning economic progress with resilience and climate action. 💬A key takeaway: the greatest challenge in combating climate change lies in building the skills and capabilities needed to drive impactful solutions. Organizations must prioritize upskilling their workforce to translate climate ambition into practical, actionable solutions. 📜This calls for embedding climate-focused training and development into company budgets, ensuring that employees are equipped to implement sustainable practices and drive measurable change. 🌱Thanks to all who joined us in this vital conversation on sustainable growth, workforce transformation, and climate awareness. #GreeceatCOP #COP29