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).
Who pays for the cost of capacity mechanisms? The European example and Greece’s options
A new brief by The Green Tank analyzes the provisions of European legislation regarding capacity remuneration mechanisms (CRMs), outlines the technologies that other European countries are choosing to support via these mechanisms, and examines how these choices have so far affected consumers’ costs.
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.
Engagement of Local Communities in Renewable Energy Projects
The new CAN report titled “Community Engagement and Fair Benefit Sharing of Renewable Energy Projects”, in which The Green Tank contributed, presents a guide aimed at strengthening the engagement of local communities in renewable energy projects.
Self-production in Greece approaches the 1GW milestone
However, the slowdown in both the electrification and new applications for self-production projects by citizens, energy communities and other stakeholders, recorded after the switch to the net billing scheme is worrisome, according to the new Green Tank review. The lignite region of Western Macedonia continues to face the biggest problem of grid space availability.
What is the ETS 2 and why does it concern us?
On Tuesday April 29, the Green Tank organized the webinar “What is the ETS 2 and why does it concern us?”, in the context of the LIFE Effect project.
SAvE Whales: Turning Vision into Action to Mitigate Ship Strikes
A side event at the 10th Our Ocean Conference in Busan, Korea showcased progress on the innovative SAvE Whales system, one year after its joint commitment was announced in Athens. The collaboration between Greek authorities and conservation organisations aims to prevent ship strikes on endangered sperm whales in the Mediterranean.
First Steps Toward the Model Restoration of Posidonia Meadows in Atzikari Bay
In an open event held in Sitia, local stakeholders and residents were informed about the model restoration activities of Posidonia oceanica meadows in Atzikari Bay, as part of the Interreg Euro-MED ARTEMIS project. The event showcased the first results of beach and underwater clean-up efforts in Atzikari Bay.
22 Environmental Organizations call for the revocation of licenses for 15 wind farms in the Acarnanian Mountains
Joint letter co-signed by The Green Tank
The ARTEMIS project in Crete
The project partners met in Heraklion for a workshop with local stakeholders and a two-day discussion on the progress of ARTEMIS and the next steps for the restoration of Posidonia.
Laying the Foundations for the Restoration of Posidonia: Workshop with Local Stakeholders in Crete
As the country prepares to implement the European Regulation for the Restoration of Nature, partners of the ARTEMIS project and local stakeholders in Crete have begun discussions to jointly shape a proposed institutional framework and explore alternative funding mechanisms for the restoration of Posidonia.
ARTEMIS informs the implementation of Nature Restoration Law
On behalf of the Interreg Euro-MED ARTEMIS project, the Green Tank submitted feedback on European Commission’s consultation on “Nature Restoration Regulation – uniform format for the national restoration plans (implementing act)”.
Greece warned: Over €50bn capacity allocations for fossil plants outstrip clean flexibility by almost 3-to-1 across Europe — risking higher energy bills
A new report by Aurora Energy Research, commissioned by Beyond Fossil Fuels, finds that almost 60% of capacity market contracts have gone to fossil assets, while only one-fifth has supported clean flexibility solutions .
