U.S. Ambassador to Greece Geoffrey R. Pyatt
Greek Minister of Environment and Energy, Kostas Skrekas
*original opinion article published in Greek in Proto Thema, Sunday April 25
The relationship between the United States and Greece is stronger than ever, and today we are building on this remarkable foundation to chart a path forward on one of the most daunting and defining issues of our generation: climate crisis.
To keep Earth’s warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius and avoid catastrophe, every country must do more. The world has already fallen behind the goals we set five years ago with the Paris Agreement, and those goals have not gone far enough.
US President Joe Biden convened the Leaders’ Climate Summit this week to highlight the urgency and economic benefits of stronger climate action. At the summit, Greece declared its commitment to becoming a leader in clean energy by undertaking significant initiatives to rid its economy of coal and polluting fuels.
Greece was among the first countries to back the EU’s revised program, which changed the targets of its 2030 energy strategy to achieve a 55% reduction in its total greenhouse gas emissions compared to 2005 levels.
This is evidenced by the bold decision of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who promised that Greece would complete its flagship reform, namely the withdrawal of all lignite-fired power plants, earlier than initially planned.
The United States commends Greece for its leadership in this effort and for demonstrating how countries can aim higher than their current commitments to the Paris Agreement. As the President’s Special Envoy for Climate, John Kerry, has pointed out, we all need to do more. Our common future depends on it.
President Biden and Prime Minister Mitsotakis have made climate action a central pillar of their national policies and proposed ambitious green goals to achieve a net-zero emissions economy. Our countries are committed to working together to drive investments in clean energy, e-mobility and the circular economy, which will build healthier, more sustainable societies and protect our planet for future generations.
Greece is renowned as one of the most beautiful countries on the planet, home to some of the most breathtaking and diverse natural landscapes on the planet. We share the responsibility to protect Greece’s rich natural heritage and resources so that future generations can enjoy them. In doing so, we can also create prosperity and economic opportunities for our two countries.
American investments in Greece’s green sectors are already creating jobs for both our peoples. Companies like Ameresco and 547 Energy harness Greek wind energy and connect it to existing grids. Blink Charging has created a network of electric vehicle charging stations in Greece, and Tesla, with its research center in Demokritos, is also entering the Greek market. And Envipco is helping Greece develop a circular economy that maximizes material reuse and recovery while reducing plastic pollution.
We are proud of the American companies that support the Greek climate change agenda and bring American technology and expertise to the Greek market. American companies like Procter & Gamble are leading by example, demonstrating that good business practices include responsibility and social and environmental management.
Investments in natural gas, which in the coming years will play the role of a “bridge” fuel for the transition to renewable energy production, will also play an important role in the energy transformation and reduction of the environmental footprint. This is the case of the Alexandroupolis independent natural gas system, including the floating storage regasification unit, with the participation of the Copelouzos group. The project will secure new quantities of natural gas for the supply of Greek and regional markets, providing new sources and supply routes of natural gas and strengthening security of supply.
Equally important to the efficiency of the power grid is the investment in the Mytilineos Group, which is building a new gas-fired power plant with state-of-the-art General Electric gas turbines. This state-of-the-art power plant will significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions compared to a lignite-fired plant, supporting Prime Minister Mitsotakis’ ambitious plan to close all lignite-fired power plants by 2028.
With the global renewable energy market expected to reach $2.15 trillion by 2025 and solar and wind technician occupations among the fastest-growing jobs in America and Greece, there are many more opportunities we can achieve together. We congratulate Greek companies like Sunlight, a leading global manufacturer of industrial batteries and advanced technologies, and Raycap, which provides surge protection equipment for power grids and critical wind infrastructure, for expanding their operations in the USA. Terna Energy’s investments in wind farms in Texas are another example of how our bilateral trade and investment benefits our economies and the planet.
We also work with international organizations and civil society to conserve and restore forests; promote sustainable agriculture and fishing; end illegal logging, mining and fishing; and combat wildlife trafficking and marine plastic pollution. These efforts will help preserve the planet’s beauty and natural resources and provide economic benefits for generations to come.
Additionally, the United States and Greece are helping to train and empower the next generation of scientists and environmental advocates. Our new bilateral science and technology agreement will provide even more opportunities for collaboration in climate science and related areas. At the same time, programs like GLOBE bring together students and our leading researchers from institutions like NASA and the University of Athens. We also work together to protect cultural heritage from the impacts of climate change.
As US Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasized in his speech this week on US leadership on global climate, climate change is both our greatest challenge and the greatest opportunity that can improve our lives. As the United States and Greece celebrate two hundred years of friendship and work to take our relationship to new heights, we reaffirm our commitment to meeting this challenge and seizing the opportunities it creates. Simply put, there is no time to waste: our future depends on the choices we make today.
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