ATHENS – Despite the challenges of the health and energy crises, “the alignment of economic growth with our ambitious goals for the climate remains the focus of Greece’s strategic priorities,” Greek Finance Minister Christos Staikouras said during his online participation in the Coalition of Finance Ministers for Climate Action meeting on Tuesday.

At the 2022 Annual Meetings of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund, Staikouras underlined that the National Recovery and Resilience Plan “Greece 2.0” has alloted over 37% of the budget to key green investments and reforms; including the climate as a factor in the state budget is ongoing; a cohesive national Strategy for Viable Funding and Green Economic Transition was being drafted; and an updated framework of environmental taxation was being planned, in order to support climate neutrality in tandem with support for social and economic cohesion.

Greece is also considering issuing a green or viable bond that could be included in this year’s state funding strategy, he said. “The unprecedented challenges require inspired and visionary solutions. Our purpose is to successfully manage concurrent crises and their repercussions, guaranteeing at the same time that our children will inherit a planet with a resilient climate,” Staikouras said.