Greece Greece

Greece’ performance is similar to that of as last year. It keeps its rank of 24th and overall rating of medium. The country rates a medium in the GHG Emissions, Renewable Energy, and Climate Policy categories, and a high in Energy Use, all the same as last year.

Greece generally performs well in the trend indicators, receiving a very high rating in the GHG per capita current trend indicator (with a five-year-linear trend of –22.64%, indicating continually declining emissions) as well as a high rating in the renewable energy current trend indicator.

Greece passes its first national climate law

In May 2022, Greece passed its first national climate law, aligning its national emissions reductions targets with EU targets and committing to reducing GHG emissions by 55% by 2030 (compared to 1990 levels), 80% by 2040, and reaching net zero by 2050.

The climate law also includes a lignite coal phase-out by 2028. The climate law, and the intermediate targets it stipulates, are seen as a key improvement and welcomed by the CCPI experts. However, Greece still plans to build new fossil gas plants, supporting the expansion of fossil gas infrastructure domestically and internationally. The expansion of the fossil gas network and the continuing of fossil gas subsidies could lead to fossil gas lock-ins.

Reduction of fossil gas consumption and phase-out of fossil fuel subsidies are needed

Based on the above, the CCPI experts demand a reduction of fossil gas consumption and a phase-out of fossil fuel subsidies to avoid the lock-in.

An updated energy and climate plan, as well as a just clean energy transition through energy efficiency, renewable energy, and energy storage, are also needed. The experts also request a review of the legislation for sustainable spatial planning for renewable energy, assuring deployment of renewable energy with the least possible environmental impact.

Key Outcomes

  • Greece’ performance is similar to that of as last year. It keeps its rank of 24th and overall rating of medium.
  • In May 2022, Greece passed its first national climate law, aligning its national emissions reductions targets with EU targets and committing to reducing GHG emissions by 55% by 2030 (compared to 1990 levels), 80% by 2040, and reaching net zero by 2050.
  • Key demands: reduction of fossil gas consumption and a phase-out of fossil fuel subsidies

CCPI experts

The following national experts agreed to be mentioned as contributors for this year’s CCPI:

Key Indicators

CCPI 2023: Target comparison