The non – degraded natural environment is characterised by rich biodiversity and great variety of habitats, high quality of bathing waters and coastal areas and relatively good air quality. But, today, we have more degraded environment.
Greenhouse gas emissions show steady increase during the last decade, of which the most important ones are CO2 and CH4. Production and use of energy as well as waste disposal and agriculture are the primary sources.Considering the equal importance of the environmental dimension of sustainable development in relation to those of economic and societal, the National Strategy for Sustainable Development sets the basic principles for environmental policy.




Main principles and rules of environmental policy
Considering the equal importance of the environmental dimension of sustainable development in relation to those of economic and societal, the National Strategy for Sustainable Development sets the basic principles for environmental policy:
o The precautionary principle; necessitates the timely and effective confrontation of environmental impacts, and especially the non – reversible impacts on ecosystems and human health.
o The “Polluter pays” principle; integrates the cost of environmental impacts in market mechanisms and prices.
o The equity and shared responsibility principle; distributes the burden responsibility among parties and takes into account their potential to contribute towards the confrontation of environmental problems.
These principles have been specified and complemented by a number of rules, which briefly are:
o Decoupling economic growth from environmental degradation.
o Sectoral integration providing for environmental considerations to be included in the objectives and priorities of sectoral policies.
o Prioritise avoidance and not management of environmental pressures aiming at minimising the risks and reducing the cost of end – of – pipe solutions.
o Problem solving at the source recognising that local solutions are more efficient and have relatively lower cost.
o Identification and management of carrying capacity as sustainable management prerequisites the identification of exploitation limits of natural resources and ecosystems.




Environmental objectives and sectoral priorities
Paying the necessary priority to the environmental dimension of Greece’s Sustainable Development, the main targets are the following:
o Confrontation of climate change
o Reduction of air pollutants
o Reduction and rational management of solid waste
o Rational water resources management
o Confrontation of desertification
o Protection of biodiversity and ecosystems


Climate Change abatement
Greece considers climate change as one of the major environmental hazards, since the pressures of desertification, water scarcity and temperature rise are already clear in Greece. Furthermore, the abatement of climate change is one of the priority targets of the European Strategy for Sustainable Development. The Kyoto Protocol was ratified by Greece in May 2002.
The target of the National Strategy for the abatement of climate change coincides with the targets of the implementation of Kyoto Protocol, with a time period of reference the years 2008-2012. In the framework of common policy of the EU, Greece is committed not to increase the releases of the 6 greenhouse gases more than 25% (mean of years 2008-2012) as compared to the emissions of 1990.
Based on the above, the Council of Ministers has discussed and approved the main points of the new National Programme for the Reduction of Greenhouse Gas Emissions. This Programme is based on the analysis of the contribution of different sectors in the total greenhouse gas emissions, taking into account the specific features and the perspectives of the country.
The basic sectors of action of the NSSD for Climate Change are:
• Reform and diversification of energy offer
• Rational use and conservation of energy
• Measures for the reduction of other greenhouse gases
• Institutional measures
In this framework, it is considered important to prioritise the selected measures based on the economic efficiency, as defined by the relation between cost and reduction potential, taking into account all other possible constraints.
It should be noted that many of the measures of the NSSD are already integrated in the respective sectoral policies (e.g. energy sector, transport) and are promoted through the implementation of the Operational Programmes of the 3rd Community Support Framework. The greenhouse gas policy offers simultaneously to the economy, society and the environment, while assisting to abate typical atmospheric pollution.


Reduction of air pollutants
The NSSD gives emphasis to the reduction of air pollutants, since their increased concentrations are responsible for the phenomena of acid rain and eutrophication, that threaten the equilibrium of ecosystems, while air pollutants are also proven to be related with problems on human health. In order to ensure a continuous reduction of air pollutants and to achieve the targets that have been set by EU, much more progress is needed to be done. More
specifically, in 2001 EU has adopted a multi-pollutant, multi-effective strategy for the effective abatement of atmospheric pollution. Although the pollutant concentration levels for Greece are lower than the respective levels for the whole of the EU, which reflects the level of development and the structure of the energy system of Greece, the compliance with these measures requires the implementation of an Action Programme with specific measures per sector. Special attention will be paid to the releases on NMVOCs, that show the greatest divergence from the target that is set for 2010.
The target of the National Strategy for the abatement of air pollution coincides with the targets resulting from the implementation of directive NECD for the period ending at 2010. On the long term, the Strategy will be readjusted within the frame of a common strategy and the decisions of the EU competent authorities.
The basic sectors of action of the NSSD for Air Pollution are:
• Reform and diversification of energy offer
• Rational use and conservation of energy in the building sector
• Measures for the transport sector
• Measures for industry
• Institutional and organisational measures
The above measures will radically change the existing trends, achieving a substantial de-coupling of improved energy quality and other relative services from the increase of the negative effects on air quality.

Reduction and rational management of solid waste
The production of solid wastes is a result – to a great extent unavoidable - of the production process and the consumption. Therefore, the reduction of solid wastes quantity is the long term goal at which the efforts of the state should aim at, through the gradual change of producers’ and consumers’ behavioural patterns and practices.
The EU, with the 6th Environment Action Programme, sets as target the reduction of the total quantity of wastes directed for disposal by 20% and 50% until 2010 and 2050 respectively, compared to the levels of 2000. Furthermore, with the Directive 1994/62/EC, EU gives priority to the production and management of packaging materials, aiming at maximising recycling, while with the Directive 1999/31/EC, strict specifications for the large landfill sites are set.
In this frame Greece has promoted measures for the expansion and organisation of related infrastructure, while conveyed the responsibility of planning and management of wastes to the Regions. Finally, the National Plan for the Integrated and Alternative Management of Solid Waste has been completed and its implementation is under way.
The targets of the National Strategy for the management of solid wastes, as presented in the National Plan of Integrated Management, aim at the safe disposal and maximisation of recycling. In parallel, long-term actions are mainly promoted for the reduction of the total quantity of produced solid wastes.
The basic sectors of action of the NSSD for Solid Wastes are:
• Safe disposal and recycling
• Exploitation of domestic wastes
• Management of industrial and hazardous solid wastes
• Reduction of the solid wastes quantity
• Institutional measures
The above directions will be accompanied by other actions, such as, training the staff of local authorities and raising the awareness of the responsible for decision making and the citizens in general.


Water resources management
The existing situation of water management in Greece is in general terms satisfactory, since the quality of surface waters is within the limits set by EU Directives. Furthermore, there is a considerable progress in constructing wastewater treatment plants and is anticipated that 90% of the population will be served by such plants. In addition, actions for joint measures to confront transboundary water problems are promoted, since 30% of surface waters come from or pass through neighbouring countries (Albania, FYROM, Bulgaria and Turkey). Also, the lakes Doirani and Prespes have recently been the subject of a trilateral agreement for their joint management, in the frame of establishing a Balkan Natural Park, which is a pioneering attempt at European level.
The development of a management plan is closely linked with the efforts of Greece to comply with the Water Framework Directive 2000/60/EC. The Hellenic Ministry for the Environment, Physical Planning and Public Works has already proceeded to the necessary actions for the implementation of the Directive and the related institutional framework is at the final stage of preparation.
The targets of the National Strategy for the management of water resources are set in the National Action Plan for Water Resources, and concerns the sustainable use of existing water reserves, the efficient protection of water ecosystems and the attainment of high quality standards for all surface and ground water bodies by the year 2015.
The basic sectors of action of the NSSD for Water Resources are:
• Integrated approach for water management
• Decentralisation of water management authorities-bodies
• Upgrading and expansion of infrastructure
• Socio-economical consideration of water resources management
• Protection from hazardous substances


Desertification abatement
Desertification threatens, at international level, geographical systems in which the soil is at a final stage of degradation and cannot provide the necessary vital space, water and nutrients. In Greece, anti-erosion measures and works on mountainous water systems have started during the 3rd decade of the 20th century, while the desalination of soils and irrigation works have been intensified after the 2nd World War. Recently Greece has ratified the UN Convention on Desertification and has adopted the respective National Action Plan, which contains general measures and specific actions in the following sectors: Agriculture, Forestry, Husbandry, Wild Fauna and Water Resources.
The targets of the National Strategy for the abatement of desertification, as presented in the National Action Plan, concern the effective abatement of the desertification trend at 35% of the Greek territory that is directly affected from the results of desertification, and the prevention of desertification process at 60% of the Greek territory.
The basic sectors of action of the NSSD for Desertification are:
• Forest protection
• Protection of water resources
• Protection of agricultural land and grassland from intensive use
• Reinforcement of research, exchange of information and training, and organisation of monitoring mechanisms using appropriate indicators.
The Ministry of Agriculture has already started implementing the National Action Plan by constructing small reservoirs for rain water in threatened areas and by controlling and reducing irrational use of irrigation waters. The Ministry for the Environment, Physical Planning and Public Works and the Ministry of Development have also taken measures in the same direction. The total estimated funds for the abatement of desertification are approximately 450.000.000 EURO.


Protection of biodiversity and natural ecosystems
Greece is characterised by a rich biodiversity of species and ecosystems, while many of the species are endemic. Today, 4% of flora and 22% of fauna in Greece are considered endangered. Approximately 2.5% of Greece is covered by protected areas, while there are about 270 NATURA 2000 sites, covering approximately 16.6% of Greece. In the last decade, several measures have been taken including the ratification of international conventions, the incorporation of EU Directives in the National Legal Order, the constitution of a National Inventory of NATURA 2000 sites, the publication of Law 2742/99 “on physical planning and sustainable development” and the establishment of a new body for the management of the National Marine Park of Zakynthos.
The targets of the National Strategy for the abatement of biodiversity coincide with the targets of the UN Convention for Biodiversity and concern the reversal of the existing trend of reduction of the biodiversity and the effective protection and restoration of natural ecosystems.
Based on the above targets, in 1999 the Ministry for the Environment, Physical Planning and Public Works has prepared a Strategy for Wetland Resources and a National Plan for the Natural Environment.
The basic sectors of action of the NSSD for Biodiversity are:
• Conservation and restoration of natural ecosystems and species of wild fauna and flora
• Management of water and soil resources
• Promotion of horizontal environmental policies
• Integration of biodiversity in sectoral policies
The above sectors concern also the in-between unprotected zones so these can connect and not separate the protected areas. Especially in areas where primary sector activities are developed, the role of agriculture, husbandry and forestry on the management of landscapes and ecosystems and the protection of biodiversity should be defined.

Sustainable management of forests
The forests of Greece are mainly natural, with a high biodiversity, which is considered as the richest in Europe, including thousands of species of fauna and flora. The most important functions of forests are the protection of soil from erosion and the enrichment of groundwater resources.
During the last decades the forest ecosystems degrade due to large development plans, urban development, and the lack of a binding physical planning framework. Furthermore, forest fires have increased during the last decade. Greek forests present a low production capacity but a high ecological value. Forestry, as an economic activity is not sustainable in its present form. In addition, the management quality and the protection of forests diminishes because of over-exploitation of woodcutting being the most characteristic example.
The targets of the National Strategy for the protection of forests are based on the sustainable management and protection of forests, which will balance the need for multiple and combined production of goods and utilities with the requirements for the protection of wildlife and the protective-environmental function of forest ecosystems.
The basic sectors of action of the NSSD for Forests are:
• The integration of forest legislation
• The development of a new national strategy for forests
• The development of a national map for land use
• The settlement of land-ownership problems in Greece
• The development of a forest certification scheme




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