Promotion of the brand “Nature Greece” by N.E.C.C.A.

Prof. NTUA and President of Natural Environment and Climate Change Agency (N.E.C.C.A.) Maria P. Papadopoulou participated in a discussion on the four-year report of N.E.C.C.A. and the role of the environment in sustainable development, in the framework of the 4th OT FORUM “A new production model – Greece 2030”, organized by Oikonomikos Tachydromos between December 2 and 3 at the Small Athens Stock Exchange.

The discussion was attended by diaNEOsis Research Director Fay Makantasis and The Green Tank Co-founder / Policy Director Ioli Christopoulou.

The news from the discussion is the emergence of the “Nature Greece” brand name, which N.E.C.C.A. will implement with a fund of €100 million from the Recovery Fund.

The main objective is to promote the 446 recognized Natura 2000 sites in Greece.

Mrs Papadopoulou said: “We are trying to homogenize protection in the 446 areas that cover about 30% of the terrestrial and 20% of the marine environment. We don’t want them to be excluded from human presence. One of the important things we do care at N.E.C.C.A. is to give our opinion on the projects that are being done in these areas.”.

At the same time, she noted that funding of €100 million has been approved from the Recovery Fund to run the promotion of the brand name “Nature Greece”, which, among others, will give added value to products coming from these regions.

Part of the money (€37 million) will be allocated to the creation, maintenance and promotion of trails (170 proposals have been made by Municipalities and Regions), while another (€36 million) will concern the guarding and monitoring of the 446 areas with cars, boats and drones.

For her part, Mrs Makantasis referred to the results of two surveys on environmental issues. 

As she said, according to the first survey: “If 40% of the areas are developed with respect to the environment, then this could yield up to €2 billion annually to Greek economy and the creation of 15.000 new jobs.”

Referring to the second study conducted by diaNEOsis in collaboration with N.E.C.C.A and Harokopio University, she noted that we need to see how we can encourage tourism to these areas and at the same time protect them.

Mrs Christopoulou referred to the priorities set by N.E.C.C.A. 

The first priority refers to a central planning and a unified way of dealing with issues regarding protected areas, having in mind that instructions should be given horizontally. 

The second concerns adequate funding, which is achieved with the presence of the Recovery Fund.

The third concerns a participatory governance. 

Mrs Christopoulou pointed out that the bet is that local communities will embrace the overall project. If this happens, it will also benefit the effort to protect the areas. 

As she observed, “We don’t have protection rules in every area. We are waiting for presidential decrees”.

She emphasized that when this happens, would-be investors will be helped.

Watch the debate: https://www.ot.gr/2024/12/03/ot-forum/ot-forum-erxetai-to-nature-greece-me-proika-100-ekat-apo-to-tameio-anakampsis