Information from Governance Regulation reporting on adaptation (2023, 2021)

Pursuant to Article 5 of the Greek Climate Law (Law 4936/2022), multi-sectoral climate impact and vulnerability assessments will be an integral part of the NAS in the future, where health is a priority sector. The National Strategy for Adaptation to Climate Change (NAS, 2016) also covers the health sector.

In terms of improving adaptive capacity, the Ministry of Health issues circular instructions on public health measures to be adopted in the event of extreme weather (e.g. floods, forest fires), as well as instructions to protect public health and reduce harm from severe heat and heat waves. Moreover, free access to cooler spaces is given during severe heat and heat waves, while the majority Greek households are equipped with air-condition or other cooling devices. The Ministry of Health also issues regulations and circular instructions to face growing threats of disease outbreaks, as rising temperatures linked to climate change increase infectious disease occurrence and spread (e.g. West Nile virus).

The National Climate Change Adaptation Committee includes a representative from the health ministry., thereby supporting collaboration on adaptation across national authorities.

Information from EEA report. Climate change and health: the national policy overview in Europe (2022)

National policies on climate change adaptation and national health strategies were analysed to identify the coverage of climate-related impacts on health (physical, mental, and social) and the types of interventions addressing them. The report provides a European overview, while the geographical coverage of various aspects of national policies across Europe can be visualized using the map viewer. The results for Greece are summarised here.

Policy documents reviewed:

National Strategy for Adaptation to Climate Change (2016)

National Action Plan to Address Environmental Risks to Health (2008-2012)

Aspects covered in the reviewed policy document:

Information from EU official reporting on adaptation. GovReg reporting (2021), MMR reporting (2019)

The Greek National Adaptation Strategy (NAS, 2016) suggests alternative adaptation options for 15 specific priority sectors, including health.

According to the Annual Bulletins on the Climate in Greece of years 2014-2019 of the Hellenic National Meteorological Service, the main climate extremes refer to heat waves, high precipitation and flooding events, cyclones, sandstorms and landslides. The extreme heat waves have negative consequences on public health.

The Ministry of Health issues circulars on public health measures to be adopted in the event of extreme weather (e.g., floods, forest fires), as well as instructions to protect public health and reduce harm from severe heat and heatwaves. It also issues regulations and circulars to address growing threats of disease outbreaks, as rising temperatures linked to climate change increase infectious disease occurrence and spread. The Operational Programme Competitiveness, Entrepreneurship & Innovation (2014-2020) supports measures to improve the energy performance and comfort conditions of public buildings, such as hospitals.

The creation of an online National Adaptation Knowledge Hub that pools together adaptation relevant data, information, good practices and approaches can also contribute to reaching out to stakeholders, including stakeholders particularly vulnerable to climate change impacts. The National Adaptation Knowledge Hub is planned to be developed under the LIFE IP AdaptInGR and one of the objectives for its development is to raise awareness among different target groups on adaptation, including citizens and promote the sharing of good practice among adaptation stakeholders.

Resources in the Observatory catalogue on Greece