Greece Passes First Climate Law, Vows To Cut Dependence on Fossil Fuels

Greece has passed its first climate law, which sets out specific targets to fight climate change and wean itself off coal in power generation by 2028.

The legislation sets interim targets for Greece to cut greenhouse emissions by at least 55% by 2030 and by 80% by 2040 before achieving zero-net emissions by 2050. It also engages the country to cut dependence on fossil fuels, including weaning off indigenous lignite or brown coal — once the main source of energy — in electricity production from 2028 onwards. This target might be brought forward to 2025, taking into account security of supplies. “It’s an existential matter, a very important one, because it has to do with our lives, because it has to do with our children’s lives,” Energy Minister Kostas Skrekas told lawmakers before the vote. “Is this just going to help protect the environment? ÎÎ, it’s not. It also helps the country’s energy security.”