The SAvE Whales project successfully completes its 2nd year of implementation
The SAvE Whales project (System for the Avoidance of ship-strikes with Endangered Whales) has successfully completed its second year of implementation, marking significant progress in developing and testing a complementary and innovative early warning system to prevent ship collisions with sperm whales in the Kythira Strait.
The Green Tank Participates in the Annual General Assembly of the Coalition of Energy Communities (DESMI)
The Green Tank actively participated in the Annual General Assembly of the Coalition of Energy Communities (DESMI), held on Saturday, 18 October 2025. The assembly focused on reviewing the achievements of the past year, outlining next steps, and discussing the strategic direction of the DESMI coalition. Participants also explored how energy communities can expand their activities by strengthening citizens’ active participation in the energy transition.
The Green Tank calls for a strong ban on Russian gas imports
The Green Tank has addressed a letter to the Ministry of Environment and Energy ahead of the Energy Council meeting on October 20, expressing concern over the course of negotiations within the EU Council on the proposed Regulation for the gradual phase-out of Russian gas imports.
The Green Tank at the ARTEMIS Project Meeting in Italy
Between 7 and 10 October 2025, The Green Tank participated in the third in-person meeting of the ARTEMIS project in Monfalcone, Italy — an important opportunity for project partners to assess progress and coordinate next steps in this broad Mediterranean initiative to restore and conserve Posidonia oceanica seagrass meadows through innovative scientific, policy, and financial approaches.
Landmark decision by RAAEY on Energy Communities
A decision of utmost importance for the integrity of the institution of Energy Communities (ECs), Citizen Energy Communities (CECs) and Renewable Energy Communities (RECs) was announced last week by the Regulatory Authority for Waste, Energy and Water (RAAEY).
From 7.4 TWh to 1.8 TWh: Six Years of Progress in Phasing Out Lignite
It has been six years since the Prime Minister announced Greece’s full exit from lignite from the UN podium. Up until that decision, and during the first eight months of 2019, the country relied on 7.4 TWh of electricity from lignite. At any given hour of the year, at least one lignite unit was in operation, and the power sector emitted a total of 19 million tonnes of CO₂ over that eight-month period.
Greece ranks 6th in ETS emission reductions over 2005–2024
Despite notable progress, 2024 saw an increase in emissions from power generation in Greece due to fossil gas and stagnation in industrial emissions. In contrast, the EU-27 achieved a 20-year low in emissions in both sectors. Greece also ranked first among EU-27 countries in shipping emissions, while emissions from aviation doubled compared to 2013.
Social Equity in Protected Areas – The Green Tank Contributes to a Global Study
The Green Tank contributed to a major study assessing the governance of Protected and Conserved Areas (PCAs) worldwide. The study was led by a team from the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), with input from the Fidelio program and under the scientific guidance of Dr. Nicoletta Jones (Warwick University / University of Cambridge).
Greece and ETS2: What It Means for Households and How to Protect the Most Vulnerable
Spending by vulnerable households in Greece is expected to increase by up to EUR 1.6 billion between 2027 and 2032 due to the implementation of the new Emissions Trading System (ETS2) for buildings and road transport. A new study by The Green Tank and Facets recommends a mix of immediate and long-term measures, costing up to EUR 15.5 billion, leveraging the Social Climate Fund (SCF) and other available resources to protect vulnerable households while also contributing to climate targets.
The Green Tank at the European Maritime Day workshop on governance solutions for Mediterranean Marine Protected Areas
The Natural Heritage Mission of the Interreg EURO-MED programmes, in collaboration with the Organization for Natural Environment and Climate Change (OFYPEKA) and the National Technical University of Athens, celebrated European Maritime Day “In My Country” by organizing a workshop on “Governance solutions for Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in the Mediterranean,” on Thursday 3 July 2025. The Green Tank and the ARTEMIS project were represented by Dimitra Syrou, while Alice Wittevrongel from Plan Bleu, the lead partner of the ARTEMIS project, coordinated the working group on the theme of 'Restoration'."
The LIFE EFFECT project is co-funded by Greece’s Green Fund
Following the decision of the Green Fund’s Board of Directors under the Ministry of Environment and Energy, which convened on July 2 2025, co-funding was approved for The Green Tank for the LIFE EFFECT project for the year 2025. The LIFE EFFECT project (LIFE Effective and Fair European Carbon Trading: Ensuring EU carbon pricing and…
Just Transition Newsletter #9
The Green Tank’s ninth newsletter for the developments of the last six months (January – June 2025) related to the Just Transition of lignite regions in Greece and in Europe has been published.
Greece: New Historic Lows for Lignite in the First Half of the Year
According to data from Entso-E, the hours of zero lignite production in the first half of 2025 increased by almost 12%, reaching 817 hours compared to 732 hours during the same period in 2024. The vast majority of these zero-production hours (809 hours) occurred after the end of the district heating season in Western Macedonia (May 15, 2025).
New partnership for a just and sustainable future for the youth of Western Macedonia!
The Green Tank and the free press Together are launching a new partnership to strengthen the role and participation of young people of the lignite regions in the Just Transition.
