Greek authorities have issued a warning that Greece faces a 40% risk of desertification if carbon emissions are not reduced. According to a report by Kathimerini, a Greek newspaper, climate change could cost Greece approximately €2.2 billion annually by the end of the century, amounting to about 1% of its current Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This projection is based on a report by the Bank of Greece and its governor, Yannis Stournaras, which examines climate change’s environmental, economic, and social impacts on Greece.
The report cautions that without significant action to curb carbon dioxide emissions, parts of Greece, particularly the eastern and southern regions, are at high risk of desertification. It predicts temperature increases of 1.2 to 2 degrees Celsius by the middle of the century and a rise of 2 to 5 degrees Celsius after 2060, compared to the period 1971-2000. The number of heatwave days is expected to increase by 10 to 15 days by 2050 and by 30 to 50 days by 2100.
Additionally, the report anticipates a notable decrease in rainfall after 2050, especially in the southern parts of the country. At the same time, the frequency of heavy rainfall events is expected to increase. The frequency and duration of wildfires are projected to grow, lasting between 10 to 20 days by mid-century and 15 to 50 days by the century’s end. Furthermore, sea levels are expected to rise by 15 to 20 cm by the middle of the century and by 20 to 80 cm by the end of the century.
This study provides insights into the locations most vulnerable to climate change in Greece, aiming to develop an effective national policy for adapting to these changes. The policy will utilize physical, social, and economic characteristics to measure vulnerability levels.
