The Minister of Environment and Energy, Mr. Stavros Papastavrou, held a telephone conversation today with the European Commissioner for Climate, Net Zero and Clean Growth, Mr. Wopke Hoekstra.

During the debate, Mr. Papastavrou presented to the European Commissioner the progress made by Greece to date in the green transition, while outlining the main policies and objectives that the country has set in this regard.

Regarding the proposal that the European Union plans to present to reduce emissions by 2040, the Minister of Environment and Energy emphasized that the target adopted requires realism, political and social acceptance, and available resources. The Commissioner, in fact, commented that Greece is an example in the direction of the green transition, not only for southern Europe, but for the European continent as a whole.

In the same context, Mr. Papastavrou highlighted Spain’s policy on how to achieve this goal, which must allow each Member State flexibility to choose the means by which to achieve it. At this point, he told Mr. Hoekstra that there is a need for affordable, green, and innovative technologies and competitive energy prices, especially to help small and medium-sized businesses and energy-intensive industries during the transition. Mr. Papastavrou emphasized that Spain believes it is necessary to thoroughly study the potential impacts of the new Emissions Trading System (ETS 2)—which plans to extend it to transport and households starting in 2027—on inflation and the disposable income of average citizens, especially the most vulnerable.

Finally, special mention was made of the progress of the Social Climate Fund (SCF), a key institution created by the EU to ensure that the climate transition is fair and inclusive. The Fund will assist vulnerable households, small businesses, and transport users particularly affected by energy poverty.

The Minister invited the Dutch Commissioner, former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Finance and leader of the Dutch Christian Democratic Party, to Greece in the coming months, a proposal that the latter accepted.