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Environment & Sustainability Guide

Air quality, green spaces, and environmental policies in Greece

Greece is advancing its green transition by reducing fossil fuel dependence, expanding renewables, and improving air and water quality, though challenges persist with climate vulnerability to wildfires, droughts, and floods. GHG emissions have declined due to lignite phase-out, but medium climate policy ambition and natural disaster risks hinder full sustainability. Air quality is stable, water excellent, with ongoing efforts in reforestation and EU-aligned policies.

Air Quality Index

Good

7.0/10

Stable trend

Greece's air quality has improved, meeting National Emission Reduction Commitments for 2020-2029. Further PM2.5 reductions of 2.3% needed by 2030. Stable trend per database, with urban areas facing higher pollution from traffic while rural better.

Water Quality

Excellent

9.5/10

Drinking and swimming water quality remain excellent. 63.8% surface waters in good ecological condition, 88.6% good chemical condition. Urban wastewater treatment improving with updated monitoring networks.

Excellent standards met, safe for consumption nationwide.

Recycling System

Recycling infrastructure supported by EU directives, but specific national rates unavailable in database. Focus on waste management aligns with green transition, including plastic reduction.

Green Spaces

National reforestation plan and framework safeguard biodiversity. Protected areas include national parks covering significant land, with forest coverage around 31-35%. Vulnerable to wildfires impacting ecosystems.

Forest Coverage: 31.5%

National Parks: 6

Multiple Natura 2000 sites and parks protect diverse habitats amid climate threats.

Environmental Policies

Greece's National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP) sets medium ambition targets, part of Powering Past Coal Alliance and Global Methane Pledge. Lignite phase-out progressing, with EU fit for 55% reduction support.

Key Policies:

•NECP final targets
•Lignite phase-out
•National reforestation plan

Renewable Energy: Medium rating in renewables expansion, aiming climate neutrality by 2050.

Natural Disaster Risk

HIGH

Greece faces high risks from wildfires, floods, droughts, heatwaves, and earthquakes. Recent 2025 wildfires burned 19,800 hectares across islands and mainland.

wildfiresfloodsdroughtsheatwavesearthquakes

Climate Change Impacts: Weather conditions for 2025 deadly wildfires (Türkiye, Cyprus, Greece) 10 times more likely due to climate change, with 22% intensity increase in dry spells and 18% in vapor pressure deficit. High-pressure systems more intense since 1994-2023 vs 1951-1980, exacerbating heat and winds. GHG decline noted but sectors lag; temperature trends show rising extremes over 20 years.

Sustainability Initiatives

Renewable Energy

Expanding renewables capacity, lignite phase-out, energy subsidies for solar panels. Medium performer in CCPI, targeting zero CO2 from energy by 2035.

Waste Management

National Emission Reduction Commitments met, improving air and wastewater treatment. Aligns with EU green deal for sustainable consumption.

Reforestation

National reforestation plan to protect biodiversity and ecosystems amid climate threats.

Wildlife & Nature

Mediterranean Monk SealEndangered

Loggerhead TurtleVulnerable

Brown BearVulnerable

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