Climate Change & Energy

Lignite plants and water pollution in Greece – the case of Akrini

Τhe Green Tank participated in a debate which took place on Tuesday 10 September 2019, on the Water Framework Directive and coal. The discussion was co-organized by the European Environmental Bureau (EEB), the WWF European Policy Office (WWF EU) and the Polish environmental organization “Development YES – Open-Pit Mines NO “.

The end of an era for Greek lignite

Losses in the range of €700 million from the operation of lignite units in the past 3,5 years are revealed by a Green Tank report titled “The economics of Greek lignite plants: The end of an era.” The report concludes by proposing the retirement of specific lignite units in the immediate future so that the losses that the PPC faces are minimized in the coming years.

Nature conservation and climate change

On Thursday July 11, 2019, Ioli Christopoulou participated in a panel discussion organized by the Institute Π2 – Progress in Action titled “Lightning strikes in the summer: Will we stand as spectators?”

The lignite refugees

Article by Ioli Christopoulou on two lignite towns, Akrini and Anargiroi, in Western Macedonia, awaiting for years to be relocated, due to the degradation caused to their land and quality of life by the lignite industry.

Change of course for Ptolemaida 5

Opinion piece by Nikos Mantzaris on the necessity to change course regarding the new, under construction, lignite plant “Ptolemaida 5” in light of the lack of approval by the European Commission of the Greek capacity mechanism until 4 July 2019, when the new Electricity Market Regulation entered into force.