The climate and energy legal framework was presented by Dr. Dionysia – Theodora Avgerinopoulou, f. Chairman of the Standing Committee for the Environment of the Hellenic Parliament, Chairman of the Committee on the Environment and Energy of the Hellenic National Committee of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC Hellas) and Executive Director of the European Institute of Law, Science and Technology, during her speech at the Athens Energy Forum, which was held on February 15 and 16, 2018, with the participation of select speakers and experts in the energy sector.

Dr. Avgerinopoulou participated in the panel on “Sustainable Development – Climate Change and Energy” and referred to the steps for “cleaner” energy technologies, the responsible measures to be taken to cut carbon pollution, the innovation in the field of “clean” energy and the evolving policy framework. Dr. Avgerinopoulou, also, highlighted the challenges posed by the fragmentation of Public International Law and the lack of a coherent legislative framework, while mentioning that there are, indeed, important recent developments on the international, regional (EU) and domestic level that promote the deployment of Renewables. In addition, she underlined the role of education for energy transition and the emerging momentum seen by the potential of de-investing in the oil and gas intensive sectors.  Part of the speech was devoted to the comparative advantages of renewable energy sources in contrast to the current energy system that is neither effective, nor efficient or sustainable (financially, socially, environmentally) and to the available sources of funding for the shift towards affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy, as reflected in the Sustainable Development Goal 7. Funding is vital for the energy transition, as she pointed out, which, if appropriately exploited by Greece, it can generate enormous economic benefits and help the achievement of the EU targets as outlined at the 2020 climate and energy package and the new 2030 climate and energy framework. A major part of the speech was devoted to the several financial EU tools, such as the new Horizon 2020 Work Program 2018-2020 for Energy Efficiency that handles over 2 billion euros for energy related projects. Regarding Greece, she laid emphasis on both the continued interest in lignite units and the major legislative initiatives that were approved by the Greek Parliament, such as the L3851/2010 on “Accelerating the development of Renewable Energy Sources to deal with climate change and other regulations in topics under the authority of the Ministry of Environment, Energy and Climate Change”.

Concluding, Dr. Dionysia – Theodora Avgerinopoulou summarized the evolving policy framework and stressed the  need for new policies, market systems and technology enablers that can effectively deliver the required, timely and effective change to a more sustainable, affordable, secure and inclusive energy system. Lastly, she mentioned the gaps that still need to be addressed by the legislation and policy, such as the absence of science and technology – triggering regulations, the nexus between energy and water and the nexus between energy and food security. Thus, she noted that the policies and laws should enable technologies innovations in energy production, consumption and management, adopt financial aid for renewable energy sources, foster citizen education on clean energy, demand the expansion of CO2 capture, storage, and/or conversion and re-design smarter cities.

For further information please visit the official website of the Athens Energy Forum:

http://www.athensenergyforum.com/