Four new reports, developed for “Greenpeace” offices in Croatia, Greece, Italy and Spain show, that in various areas in South Europe, the renewable energy can be produced on a local level, bringing thousands of working positions and helping the transformation of these economies into “green” and working for the stimulation of an ecological-orientated tourist sector. “Green” energy has a great potential for the local production of electricity in the region.
The main conclusions from the reports are:
o In Spain, the report “Energy [R">evolution for the autonomous region Canary Islands “ shows, that 100% of the renewable energy can provide energy services for 24 a day, 7 days a week, to the most distant points.
o In Italy, the report “Islands on 100% renewable energy” demonstrates a model, which can be used by other islands, to develop their own approach towards 100% renewable energy.
o In Croatia , the research follows multiple positive effects, result from the implementation of “green” practices by hotels, camps and residential buildings across the Croatian coast and islands.
o In Greece, the research is focused on the big potential for reduce of energy costs and energy poverty. The research points the importance of the delivery of large quantities “Green” energy from efficient practices and the solarizing of the Greece economy, even in times of strict economic restrictions.
“If we must be honest about the economic challenges in the region, we should be honest about the tremendous potential of renewable energy here. Building a capacity of renewable energy, which guarantees new working positions, improves stable economy, protects ecosystems and restrain the climate changes, it is not impossible and it is about time the political leaders to see it”, thinks Deyan Savitch – coordinator of the project “ Decisions for the Mediterranean” part of “Greenpeace” Slovenia.
To take the best advantage of the local potential of renewable energy, the European and National politics must guarantee stable investment environment in the sector. They should orientate to facilitation of decentralized renewable energy projects, like “energy cooperatives”. Bulgaria can benefit from the results and the recommendations in the reports as well. “ It is about time, our country to free itself from the suffocating coal dependency, which has caught our energy system. Energy transition based on investments in the renewable energy is particularly effective and prosperous for the societies, when it allows the citizens to participate and invest in projects. With the spread of large scaled investments in small decentralized renewable energy installations, many of the benefits can be directly transferred to households, residential buildings, as hospitals, schools and buildings in small business, like hotels and farms”, commented Teodora Stoyanova – coordinator of the campaign “Climate and energy” for “Greenpeace” Bulgaria.
Now, when most of the South-European countries, fight the economic problems, the governments are responding with plans for new coal centrals and researches for extraction of oil and gas, despite the scientific evidence, that mankind should leave the fossil fuels under the ground, to avoid the worst environmental consequences.
Only week before the meeting about the climate in Paris, “Greenpeace” features a clear path for the South-European governments, to take actions I lead to world, where energy is safer and cleaner. Energy -more affordable and accessible for everyone, and the air and water will be pure.
You can find the four reports here:
http://www.greenpeace.org/international/en/press/releases/Renewable-Energy-to-help-overcome-Mediterranean-economic-challenges/
Additional briefing for the media / English / : http://www.greenpeace.org/international/Global/international/briefings/climate/2015/Untapped-and-Bountiful-in-Southern-Europe.pdf
The renewable energy will help Mediterranean area to deal with economic challenges
