Country Review

GREECE

Under the Kyoto protocol Greece was committed to limit its greenhouse gas emissions increase by 25% for the period 2008-2012 compared to base year emissions (year 1990). According to UNFCC data this limit has been approached (in 2002 GHG emissions amounted to 133.1 Mt CO2 eq. showing an increase of 20% compared to the base year emissions) and there is the danger to exceed it in the next years. CO2 emissions accounted for 78% of total GHG emissions in 2002 and increased by 23% from 1990. Emissions from the energy sector in 2002 accounted for 77% of total GHG emissions and increased by 28.3% compared to 1990 levels. This increase was mainly due to the increase of emissions from transport and electricity production (high demand from the residential and tertiary sectors).

The Greek government tried to speed down this increase by the following main actions:

• Further penetration of natural gas in all final demand sectors including cogeneration, instead of the use of indigenous lignite in power generation.

• Promotion of renewable energy sources for electricity generation and heat production.

• Energy conservation in the industrial and residential–tertiary sectors.

• Promotion of energy-efficient appliances/equipment in the residential–tertiary sectors.

• Structural changes in agriculture and the chemical industry.

• Transport and waste-management options.

This year a big effort is tried in the implementation of the CO2 trading plan for the country.