This April, world leaders gathered in Santa Marta, Colombia, for the first-ever international “Conference for Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels” (24-29/04/2026), a milestone for multilateral climate efforts, aimed at accelerating the global shift from coal, oil, and gas. In total, nearly 60 governments took part. Major EU partners, including Germany, France, Spain, and the Netherlands, among other EU states, sent high-level delegations, reaffirming their commitment to the Paris Agreement and the bloc’s European Green Deal. With France even taking a bold step to publish a first roadmap for transitioning away from fossil fuels. Yet, Greece – a country largely affected by the climate crisis, with rising sea levels and intensifying wildfires – was absent.
The European Commission, of course, was present, as the bloc’s umbrella representative, and responsible for the Union’s NDCs submission to the UNFCCC. However the symbolism of this Greek snub cannot be ignored. While Europe moves towards a sustainable future, Greece clings to the past, still attached to fossil fuel extraction. Greece is one of the few EU nations still expanding oil and gas projects, despite its obligations under the Paris Agreement and the EU’s legally binding climate targets.
The oxymoron? At the same time, the Greek government has accelerated the development of renewables, with the deputy minister for environment and energy, Mr. Tsafos stating a couple of months ago that renewables are a pillar of Greece’s energy security and that “RES secure lower electricity prices”. Greece even signed a common declaration in favor of a fossil fuel phase-out at this past COP30 in Brazil.
Dirty deals with Chevron and Exxon Mobil
Earlier this year, the Greek government signed new deals with Chevron and Exxon Mobil, granting them licenses for further oil and gas exploration in the Ionian Sea and the area south of the Peloponnese. The agreements, hailed by Environment & Energy Minister Mr. Papastavrou as a “boost for energy independence,” are nothing short of climate sabotage. But then again, during the summer of 2025, while the biding competitions for gas exploration were being launched, the government was announcing the establishment of 2 national protected marine parks – one of them near the area of oil extraction plans south of the Peloponnese, while also having ratified last May the BBNJ Agreement, for the protection of marine biodiversity in the high seas (under UNCLOS). I hope you see where I’m getting with this.
Let’s be clear: Oil and gas expansion locks Greece into decades of carbon emissions undermining its own 2050 net-zero pledge. Furthermore, these projects risk ecological disaster in the Mediterranean, a biodiversity hotspot, threatening marine life and coastal communities. And, at a moment where the Green Deal faces threats, the projects are making a mockery of the EU climate law, which mandates a 40% reduction in fossil fuel use by 2030. In addition, it disregards the International Energy Agency’s repeated reports that new oil and gas fields are incompatible with limiting global warming to 1.5°C. And, certainly, going back and forth, trying to sustain the national fossil fuel lobby really, is no serious strategy.
The narrative, that these projects will reduce energy costs, might lie far from the truth and short-sighted. Especially, as the impact of ongoing energy-geopolitical crises would attest. As far as energy costs are concerned, renewables prove to be a clean and cheap source, which however is not taken advantage to the fullest due to the lack of RES storage infrastructure. Some could argue that this delay shows the power of the fossil fuel lobby in Greece. By prioritizing corporate profits over climate stability, Greece is undermining its own future.
It is also worth noting, that as many other EU partners are having progress, the Commission’s last year deal with the Trump Administration for ~700 billions in fossil fuel energy imports from the US, largely jeopardizes the Unions goals, as well. An unexpected move on behalf of the Commission, but… then again not really.
A Government out of touch with Its People.
Public opinion in Greece is overwhelmingly in favor of climate action. A 2025 survey by diaNEOsis found that support for renewable energy is potent, with 83.9% in favor of solar power and only 18.1% supporting fossil fuels. Moreover, an IOBE survey in 2024 shows an overall majority of Greek public opinion being favorable towards RES and doing “more for Climate”. So, you can see how -in the lead-up to the next general election, prioritizing short-term profits for multinational corporations might not prove beneficial.
Are we up to the task?
So the answer to the title’s dilemma can’t be other than “Not to drill!”. That’s the moment to get back on track to accelerate transition.
As we find ourselves in the midst of yet another ongoing energy crisis, it is crucial that decision-makers and the public understand that the path to normality is laid with clean & just energy and industries. We -literally- cannot afford to continue going down the fossil fuels’ yellow brick road.
The world is watching and the time for excuses is over.
*Marios Arampatzis, is a bachelor’s student in International & European studies at Panteion University, with a strong experience in Youth-led and environmental organisations, such as UNICEF’s Youth Advisory Board and ELIAMEP’s EU Youth Hub, and with attendance in International conferences such as COP29 and 9th Our Ocean Conference.
