Dozens of environmental organizations in Greece, including Greenpeace and WWF, are calling for "the withdrawal" of a controversial bill which "promotes hydrocarbon explorations" by endangering Natura 2000 areas protection of biodiversity. This text "whose objective is to radically change the environment policy in Greece, was developed in the middle of a period of confinement which undermines democratic procedures," said Takis Grigoriou, responsible for the Greenpeace campaign on Saturday. energy and climate change in Greece.
Containment measures have been imposed in the country since March 23 to stem the spread of Covid-19. The bill entitled "modernization of environmental legislation", "removes the protection of Natura 2000 regions and promotes mining activities and hydrocarbon exploration in these areas," said a statement from twenty-three NGOs.
No more hydrocarbons by 2050?
Fundamental tools of European Union (EU) biodiversity conservation policy, Natura 2000 sites are used to protect species representative of European biodiversity. While Greece, like its European partners, "is committed to stopping the use of hydrocarbons by 2050 as part of climate change regulations, the bill encourages oil drilling and drilling companies natural gas to activate in protected areas by weakening the role of local authorities in this matter, ”laments Takis Grigoriou.
On the other hand, Greenpeace welcomes certain provisions of the bill which "simplify the procedures for investments in green energy (photovoltaic, wind turbines etc.)". According to this NGO, the provisions on renewable energy should be the subject of a separate bill and not be integrated into the current project, which was developed "quickly without a real dialogue with social actors".
Currently under discussion in parliamentary committee, this bill must be debated this Monday in the Assembly before a vote on Tuesday, according to Greenpeace. A joint Greenpeace-WWF petition on the Internet has so far collected more than 22,000 signatures to say "No, to the bill in favor of hydrocarbon explorations".
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