During the COP29 climate summit at Baku, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis underscored Europe’s crucial part in the worldwide green transition. He stressed the urgent need for resources to tackle the extraordinary impacts of climate change. Mitsotakis called for a balanced strategy prioritizing the energy transition while maintaining economic competitiveness.
While nations aim for net-zero emissions by 2050, Mitsotakis warned that focusing solely on long-term goals could undermine necessary short-term climate resilience. “This is not just a question of getting to net zero by 2050, it’s also very much a question of protecting our citizens in 2024 and 2025,”  he told the COP29 assembly, stressing the importance of preparing resources to respond swiftly to disasters and support communities in rebuilding after climate-related events.Â
Greece, vulnerable to extreme heat and devastating floods, has faced escalating climate impacts linked to global warming.
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Greece’s Progress on Renewables and Coal Phase-Out
Greece has made significant strides in renewable energy, leveraging its abundant sunlight and wind. Since 2014, the country has doubled its renewable energy production, generating around 50% of its power from clean sources. Additionally, Greece is set to eliminate coal use by 2028. Nonetheless, the country has faced mounting climate-related challenges, including a record-breaking hot summer following a drought season.
Balancing Competitiveness with the Energy Transition
Mitsotakis cautioned that as Europe commits to emission reductions, it must also safeguard its industries to maintain economic competitiveness. He highlighted the necessity of a pragmatic energy transition strategy that does not jeopardize Europe’s market strength. “We need to ask hard questions about a path that goes very fast at the expense of our competitiveness, and a path that goes somewhat slower but allows our industry to adapt and to thrive,” he said.
He noted that Europe’s declining share of global emissions showcases its leadership in climate policies. However, he also pointed out that Europe is one of the few international players still upholding free trade principles, suggesting that economic sustainability must be part of the green transition strategy.
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Greece faced rising electricity prices last summer, despite more renewable energy, which Mitsotakis attributed to inefficiencies in Europe’s power market. He urged the EU to address concerns, noting that poor interconnections between Greece and central Europe increase costs.
