The pressing issue of climate change and how the Conference of Parties (COPs) impacts national and regional policies, with a specific focus on Greece, was explored by a panel of speakers, including Deputy Chief Editor of tovima.com, Cheryl Novak, on Thursday in Brussels.
The event titled “The EU and Climate Action: From Baku to Belém” took place at the European Parliament on the initiative of Left MEP and Professor of European Law Nikolas Farantouris.
A comprehensive study prepared by Farantouris’s office on recent developments and the European Union’s role in addressing the climate crisis acted as a springboard for the panelists to delve into the details.
Cheryl Novak focused on the upcoming COP30 conference in Brazil, highlighting the environmental policy shifts under the new U.S. administration and the global disruptions to supply chains that are driving up carbon emissions. She called for greater emphasis on ecosystem restoration and the integration of artificial intelligence in climate solutions.
Farantouris, a member of the Environment Committee, emphasized that this is a pivotal moment for the EU to take global leadership in the environmental fight.
Swedish MEP Jonas Sjöstedt of the Left group underlined that the EU must remain steadfast in its environmental goals, despite increasing pressure from powerful political forces within the bloc that seek to downplay the climate crisis.
Energy and environmental policy analyst Dimitris Tsekeris, formerly of WWF and CanEurope, highlighted the disproportionate impact of the climate crisis and energy poverty on the most vulnerable groups. He referenced specific policy proposals outlined in the Farantouris report that Europe should prioritize to ensure an inclusive and just transition.
Vasilis Theocharidis, a representative of Greece’s Permanent Mission to the EU, spoke about Greece’s role in environmental protection. He stressed that the country is fully aligned with the European Green Deal and views climate action not only as a necessity but also as a strategic opportunity to position itself as a regional hub for green energy.
The climate change event was also attended by several Greek MEPs, including Manolis Kefalogiannis and Dimitris Tsiodras (New Democracy), Sakis Arnaoutoglou (PASOK), Nikos Pappas and Elena Kountoura (SYRIZA), Nikos Anadiotis (Niki), SYRIZA MP Alexandros Meikopoulos, SYRIZA Political Secretariat member Dionysis Temponeras, as well as officials from the European Commission and other EU institutions.
