Scorecard summary:
Fulfilment of Rio Conference Commitment- Red
Current Government Position on Climate Change - Red
Per Capita CO2 Emissions - Green ( 7.25 metric tons per person in 1992)
National CO2 Emissions: Green - (73 million metric tons in 1992).

OVERALL ASSESSMENT:
Small player, but national carbon dioxide emissions are increasing, and it is not active in promoting the common European Union (EU) position.

NATIONAL CLIMATE PROTECTION GOAL:
The goal is to limit CO2 growth to 15 percent above 1990 levels by the year 2000. Greece forms part of the EU 'cohesion' group of countries for whom other EU countries are bearing the burden of reductions up to the year 2000.

SPECIFIC FEATURES:
A new national program for limiting greenhouse gas emissions was prepared in 1995. This is largely based on a drastic energy efficiency and conservation program covering residential, commercial, industry, services and transport sectors. It covers major investments to promote new energy sources, initially natural gas from Algeria, and then principally Russia. It also envisages a move to new technology and biofuels, and the modernization of the transport system.

NEGATIVE FEATURES:
Although Greece has a small economy and total emissions are low, it has one of the higher levels of energy intensity (supply/GDP) in the OECD (1.02t CO2/US$1000 in 1992). Further, without the program of national greenhouse gas emissions, CO2 emissions are projected to increase by 25 percent rather than the 15 percent climate protection goal. Lignite remains the most important domestic energy source and present projections show lignite production increasing more than 35 percent by 2005. Electricity prices have not kept up with inflation rates and there has been a considerable growth in demand, particularly for air conditioning.

POSITIVE FEATURES:
The technical potential of renewable energy in particular, solar, wind geothermal energy and small hydro is considerable in Greece. (Large hydro now receives considerable opposition). Their development may receive a boost from a major EU funded programme of structural funds. This programme could also support various programmes to improve energy efficiency in all end-use sectors.

Sources: Energy Policies of IEA Countries 1996 Review.