The European Commission has adopted Greece's Social Climate Plan. It is the fifth and largest national plan adopted under the Social Climate Fund so far, which will use the revenues from emission allowances to advance the clean transition and support vulnerable consumers and enterprises. The plan was developed by the Greek authorities together with the Commission. Following their implementation, the investments and reforms supported through the Greek Social Climate Plan (2026-2032) will contribute to emissions reductions reaching 811,000 tons of CO2 equivalent yearly by 2032. The Plan will mobilise €4.77 billion until 2032, including €3.57 billion (75%) from the EU and €1.2 billion (25%) from national funds.
The Commission concluded that Greece's Social Climate Plan adequately addresses the social impacts of extending greenhouse gas emissions trading to buildings and road transport under the new Emissions Trading System (ETS2).
The plan will support 460,000 vulnerable households by reducing their reliance on fossil fuels through support for up to 62,000 renovations and the installation of 200,000 heat pumps and solar water heating systems. The plan will also expand the country's social housing stock with 2,800 new energy-efficient social units. A further €226 million will go towards the renovation of public student residences, improving access for 5,930 vulnerable students to higher education. A temporary heating allowance will also support up to 800,000 vulnerable households a year to meet their heating expenses after the introduction of ETS2.
300,000 vulnerable transport users will benefit from strengthened public transport through more than 200 new electric buses in urban areas with high rates of transport vulnerability, 22 additional Athens metro trains, new on-demand-transport services in remote areas as well as charging infrastructure. A social leasing scheme will also enable 15,000 car-dependent vulnerable households to access electric vehicles at an affordable monthly rate, accelerating the shift to zero emission mobility.
The plan prioritises accessibility and inclusivity by investing in more than 12,000 mobility devices such as electric wheelchairs and scooters, a new dedicated school transport service for students with disabilities, and accessibility upgrades to 33 railway stations and 85 metro stations.
Finally, the plan supports 28,000 vulnerable micro-enterprises in transitioning towards cleaner buildings and mobility solutions with €820 million dedicated to reducing energy and transport costs through targeted energy efficiency upgrades to buildings and subsidies.
Greece will be able to request its first payment to the Commission once implementation has started and milestones have been achieved.
