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Our cities must and can become more resilient, more humane, more environmentally sustainable, stressed the Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, speaking at the Forum of the Greek Network of Resilient Cities.
The theme of the two-day Forum was “Dialogue on Resilience: Active Support of Greek Cities for Mitigation and Adaptation to Climate Change” and more than 120 mayors from all over Greece, politicians, and scientists participated in the Forum’s sessions.
During this two-day discussion, we are addressing modern problems, current challenges that, in any case, require planning and determination to address them, and indeed, at the core of these issues are cities, urban centers around the world, he noted at the beginning of his speech.
As he said, by 2030, 60% of the global population will live in cities, and this percentage is expected to reach 80% by 2050, with this rapid urbanization creating demographic, social, and environmental challenges. He pointed out that cities cover about 3% of the earth’s surface and produce 72% of global greenhouse gas emissions, while in the European Union, the numbers do not differ significantly, as cities cover only 4% of the area but host 75% of the citizens and represent 65% of total energy consumption and 70% of carbon dioxide emissions.
The EU consistently promotes sustainable policies and actively supports cities through programs, actions, and funding
According to Mr. Tzitzikostas, climate change and urbanization are “two global mega-trends,” and “we must examine their interaction,” as he said, emphasizing that “what cities do should concern us” and especially what cities in the Mediterranean region are doing, as “we experience the most intense impacts of climate change.” Impacts that “threaten the health and lives of citizens, the safety of infrastructure, and the economic viability of urban centers,” as he said.
However, he clarified that “it’s not all black and dark,” as there are three reasons “to be optimistic”: First, we have now understood the challenge in depth—and this two-day forum, along with the broader action of the Greek Network of Resilient Cities, is another strong proof that public dialogue, public policies, our goal-setting, and priorities have now been correctly oriented. Second, “we are part of a union that has put these issues at the forefront of its policies, in the EU, which consistently promotes sustainable policies and actively supports cities through programs, actions, and funding. And third, “we now have the knowledge, technology, means, and tools to achieve very important goals,” as the EU recognizes that the transition to resilient and sustainable cities requires integrated partnerships, strategies, and innovative solutions, which do not emerge automatically, need strategic and political decisions and persistence in their implementation.
Regarding the related European programs and community funding, he highlighted the importance of the “Horizon” program, which funds projects for innovative solutions, the Recovery and Resilience Fund, which has significant resources for the sustainable development of cities, and the NSRF, which is one of the most important tools that regions and municipalities have at their disposal for modern physical and digital infrastructures, and he mentioned the program of the 100 Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities, which aims to make European cities pioneers in climate neutrality by 2030.
As he said, Athens, Thessaloniki, Trikala, Kozani, Ioannina, Kalamata, along with 106 other cities, are reducing air pollution by 200 million tons and developing projects and actions to make these cities more humane. He recalled that 90% of European actions to combat climate change are currently being implemented by Regions and Municipalities.
“Our cities must and can become more resilient, more humane, more environmentally sustainable”
Mr. Tzitzikostas then elaborated on European initiatives related to his portfolios, Sustainable Transport and Tourism.
For urban mobility, whether it involves electric cars, other means of transportation, or the expansion of biker options, he said that through the new strategy for the European automotive industry, which he presented a few days ago in Brussels, and through the strategy for sustainable transport currently being prepared, and through the strategy for European ports, on which work is underway and which will be presented in 2025, “we consistently support investment in modern, clean urban mobility, investment in electric vehicles and sustainable fuels, investment in innovation and digital transition.”
“We need to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and create more resilient energy networks. We need to install more electric charging points faster. Transportation must be more sustainable. We need to capitalize on digital solutions and smart technologies for better resource and urban system management. To extend bike lane networks. To improve safety for our fellow citizens who move on foot,” he said.
He also noted that it’s very important for the Commission and himself personally the European support to member states, so that they, in turn, provide economic and tax incentives to everyone, especially citizens with lower incomes, to have access to cleaner, new technology vehicles. As he said, mobility is a right, regardless of where one lives and what their means of living are, and therefore it is an absolute priority for him to ensure that no one is left behind or marginalized.
Referring to tourism, he reiterated the importance that, for the first time in the EU’s history, Tourism has been added to a Commissioner’s portfolio, and as he said, “we are currently working on the new European strategy for tourism, from which we want to provide answers to the fundamental question of how we balance development with the preservation of our environment and heritage.”
He talked about “balanced tourism,” noting that some destinations are facing over-saturation phenomena while others, destinations of exceptional beauty and unique characteristics, remain underexploited. He mentioned the strengthening of Destination Management Organizations, highlighting that the role of Municipalities in this effort will be pivotal, and talked about achieving greater tourist flows to more destinations—with benefits for more local communities and relieving more saturated destinations—extending the tourism season to twelve months, as well as protecting and preserving natural and cultural heritage.
Mr. Tzitzikostas, referring to the current geopolitical situation, clarified that “yes, we have acquired more priorities, but we do not change priorities,” while regarding the impacts of the climate crisis, he said that according to predictions, by 2050, the reduction in Tourism will reach 10% and, as he said, Greece, as a Mediterranean country, is in the front line of countries that, if things do not go well, will suffer incalculable consequences.
No one today can imagine the cost we will inevitably have to pay if we let things develop based on the worst-case scenario, he added.
“So, our cities must and can become more resilient, more humane, more environmentally sustainable. This is the only ticket if we want our cities to prosper economically, attract investment, combat inequalities, and ensure social cohesion,” concluded Mr. Tzitzikostas.
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