Guiding Greece's Low-Carbon Shift
The global commitment to achieving a climate-neutral economy by 2050 has become a binding obligation for Greece, driven by international frameworks such as the UN's 17 Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. At the European level, the Green Deal aims to make Europe the first climate-neutral continent, solidified through the proposed European Climate Law. Nationally, Greece has taken decisive steps, including the planned phase-out of all lignite-fired power plants by 2028, marking a pivotal starting point for transitioning away from fossil fuels.
Based on this commitment, the project aimed to provide expert advisory services to the Steering Committee and Technical Secretariat for Just Transition in Greece. By developing Territorial Just Transition Plans (TJTPs) and an Operational Programme for 2021-2027, this initiative laid the groundwork for a sustainable transition towards a low-carbon economy, addressing socio-economic impacts while unlocking development opportunities.
Our team of experts worked on ensuring a fair and sustainable transition by balancing environmental goals with the socio-economic needs of affected regions.
A Three-Pillar Approach
- Shaping Territorial Just Transition Plans
- Aligned TJTPs with evolving regional development needs and priorities.
- Drafted the Operational Programme for Just Transition, integrating national strategies and EU policies for the 2021-2027 period.
- Fostering Partnerships for Success
- Established and managed a collaborative framework among stakeholders.
- Facilitated seamless coordination between regional, national, and EU-level actors.
- Securing EU Approval
- Led negotiations with European Commission Directorates to gain endorsement for the Operational Programme and TJTPs.
- Ensured compliance with EU standards, unlocking access to vital funding.
Outcomes
The project successfully delivered:
- Localized Solutions: TJTPs that addressed specific challenges and harnessed regional opportunities for growth.
- Strategic Framework: An Operational Programme fully aligned with the EU Green Deal and Just Transition Mechanism.
- Unified Stakeholders: Strong partnerships fostering coordinated action at all levels.
- Secured Funding: European Commission approval, enabling the implementation of Greece’s Just Transition goals.
This initiative was instrumental in supporting Greece’s transition to a low-carbon economy, fostering sustainable development, and mitigating social and economic impacts in affected regions.
