The upcoming decade to 2030 will determine the success of humanity’s shift to a sustainable trajectory that will integrate environment protection in all facets of economic and social activity. While sustainable development is a recognized global objective, as expressed in the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, agreed by the United Nations in 2015, the challenge of its attainment remains.
The Green Tank aims at the acceleration of this shift through its research-based analysis, advocacy and engagement with key stakeholders at the local, regional, national and European level.
The Just Transition of coal and lignite mining regions to sustainable economic activities constitutes a field of particular interest and activity for us. The decades-long monoculture of coal and lignite in these regions has rendered local economies dependent on mining at multiple levels, while leaving deep wounds to the environment and human health. Focusing initially on Western Macedonia, we aim to ensure that no citizen in the 42 coal regions of Europe is left without support, as Europe proceeds with an irreversible shift to a zero carbon economy.
Highlights
Will Western Macedonia look to the future or try to remain attached to an obsolete past? Journalists Socrates Moutidis
Guest lecture by Ioli Christopoulou on the role of environmental NGOs in environmental governance on October 21, 2019. Ioli
Interview by Nikos Mantzaris to Dimitra Krayianni and the newspaper “Tharros” regarding the challenges of the transition of
Nikos Mantzaris represented the Green Tank at the Balkan Clean Energy Transition (BCET) Conference held in Kozani on
Opinion piece by Nikos Mantzaris on the main political asks related to the transition of lignite regions in
Nikos Mantzaris participated in the 2nd Forum of Just Transition Mayors organized by the Mayor of Weisswasser, Germany
Every region and every community is different. As EU countries wake up to the climate emergency and the
Article by Ioli Christopoulou on two lignite villages, Akrini and Anargiroi, in Western Macedonia, awaiting for years to
Nikos Mantzaris from the Green Tank participated in the TV show "Pre-election debate: Searching for answers for Greece’s
Οn the occasion of the World Environment Day, an opinion piece by Ioli Christopoulou on the European election
Opinion piece by Ioli Christopoulou in which it is explained why the result of the EU elections and
8 environmental organizations (Europe Beyond Coal, Polish Green Network, Priatelia Zeme CEPA, Greenpeace, WWF, CEE Bankwatch, CAN Europe and the
Talk by Nikos Mantzaris titled “The time has come: Lignite phase-out!” in the context of the open discussion
Nikos Mantzaris from the Green Tank participated in the 4th Working Group Meeting of the Coal Regions in Transition
An engaging talk by Ioli Christopoulou on March 18, 2019 at the Café Scientifique Athens entitled: “The path
On February 19, 2019, the Green Tank together with the European NGO networks Europe Beyond Coal, Climate Action
On February 18, 2019, the Green Tank participated in a consultation with World Bank experts on the development
Response by Nikos Mantzaris to George Adamidis, President of the trade union of PPC workers (GENOP-DEI). The response was
Interview of Nikos Mantzaris on January 31, 2019 to kozani.tv regarding the distortions caused by the insistence to
Comment on the UNFCCC COP24 in Katowice, Poland and the inconsistency between the proposed Greek Energy and Climate
On December 3, 2018, the Green Tank submitted detailed comments to the public consultation on the draft National
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