Region of West Macedonia Municipality of Kozani IOANNIDIS ELEFTHERIOS MAYOR Municipality of Kozani: The need for transmition to a green alternative model Helsinki 25-9-2015 KOZANI MUNICIPALITY OF KOZANI MUNICIPALITY OF KOZANI • 70.000 inhabitants • 1,072.3 km2. • 52 settlements – Kozani is the biggest city with approximately 50000 inhabitants. • Over 30% unemployment • Over 70% youth unemployment (the biggest rate in Europe) • Significant Environmental problems due to PPC’s coal mining THE PRESENCE OF THE PUBLIC POWER CORPORATION S.A HELLAS (PPC) IN THE REGION THE PRESENCE OF THE PUBLIC POWER CORPORATION S.A HELLAS (PPC) IN THE REGION THE LIGNITE FIELD IN NUMBERS § Lignite: 50.000.000 tons/year § Overburden : 250-300.000.000 tons/year § Ash deposits: 7.000.000 tons/year § Expropriated Lands : >250.000 acres § Relocation of Settlements : 8 (5 + 3) + 3 ? § Fly ash emissions : 2-12 tons/h § Gas emissions: 26.000.000 c.m/h § Carbon dioxide emissions CO2 : 31.500.000 tons/ year § Water loss: 5500 c.m/h (cooling towers “thermo electric plant”) Produced Electric Power: 4438 MW THE ECOLOGICAL CRISIS Due to the excessive mining the area experiences a profound ecological crisis: nEnvironmental nSocietal nEconomic Critical Issue: Overcoming the crisis by managing all three dimensions of the crisis simultaneously ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT& QUALITY OF LIFE n Air pollution– Impact on the health of inhabitants n Although there is still no comprehensive epidemiological study, there are facts indicating the negative impact on human health. Frequency of respiratory diseases among the children of Western Macedonia (Source: 2005) Symptoms Ptolemaida Kozani Grevena Rhinitis 40,3% 35,2% 21,2% Asthma 6,9% 5,4% Infectious 12,1% 8,1% 6,7 % Bronchitis Acute bronchitis 17% 12,3% IMPACT ON WATER n 150.000 acres of deep mining caused a large scale destruction in the aquatic resources (surface & groundwater). n Local communities pay huge amounts of money both for irrigation and potable water . n The level of the lake Vegoritida lowered approximately by 45 meters. VEGORITIDA LAKE Aliakmon River VAST LANDS HAVE BEEN TURNED INTO MINES -150.000 ACRES External Cost n Cost of the environmental side-effects. n Waters, (water supply of Kozani, expensive irrigation, “draining”of Aliakmonas ) n Soil (acid runoffs, erosion) n Health, hospitalization, social security system. n Damage to crops, agriculture. External Cost n Although the exploitation of lignite contributed to the “electrification” of the country and increased people’s income, this development had a negative social, economic and environmental effect in the region. n The loss of natural capital in the region has never been calculated. n The Public Power Corporation S.A Hellas (PPC) has never paid any compensation for the exploitation of lignite. n Moderate scenarios estimate the external cost at around 250 million euros. FINANCIAL CRISIS • A national problem • The local economy is totally related with the declining lignite mining sector • The West Macedonia region has the biggest unemployment rate in Greece and the biggest youth unemployment rate in Europe SOCIAL CRISIS • National and local problem • Migration wave • Poverty • Depression WHAT SHOULD BE DONE? (GREEN POST-LIGNITE ERA) n The era of lignite is coming to its end earlier than expected. Climate change changes everything very quickly. n A solid & comprehensive 20 year Plan for the post-lignite era is now required, coupled with specific and guaranteed funding. n The region can remain energy oriented by using renewable energy sources. n In Europe there are many examples of regions that achieved a smooth energy transition. GREEN POST LIGNITE ERA KOZANI IS NOT JUST ENERGY AND LIGNITE. Ò We are aiming at promoting other assets in our area so as we can change its production model SUGGESTIONS FOR AN ALTERNATIVE DEVELOPMENT Ò integrated action plan for the promotion of our natural environment and. Ò Two beautiful artificial lakes with rare fauna and flora Ilarion Lake Polifitos Lake SUSTAINABLE AND ORGANIC FARMING Ò Due to the micro-climate significant products can be cultivated. We focus on the aromatic and medicinal plants. Ò In the area very interesting local biological farming products are cultivated. Kozani’s saffron THE MUNICIPALITY PROMOTES LOCAL AROMATIC HERBS. MUNICIPALITY OF KOZANI: SUSTAINABILITY ACTION PLAN Ò Integrated Action Plan on Urban Mobility. WE UPDATE THE URBAN PLANNING WITH THE CONCEPT OF THE ‘COMPACT CITY’ WASTE MANAGEMENT. • Prevention • Reuse • Recycling • Public Awareness SUSTAINABLE ENERGY PLAN Ò Energy conservation and Renewable Sources of Energy. Ò The municipality participates in the Covenant of Mayors. Ò Long-distance heating system since 2000 - plan to make use of more sources Ò Placing of photovoltaic parks on the roofs of the municipal buildings Ò Energy upgrade of the municipal buildings. KOZANI IS A CITY WITH LITTLE GREEN Ò Suggestions: 1. Green corridors. Green corridors in the city and interconnection of the urban and peri-urban areas. 2. Public space development for the urban farming 3. Network for walking paths near the city and the mountain areas PUBLIC SPACE PROTECTION Ò In the Greek cities the public space is little and wherever there is some it is occupied. We began an effort to reverse this situation. Ò Within the framework of the National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF) we are working on an integrated plan for Sustainable Urban Transformations aiming at the social, environmental and economic development of our area. PUBLIC CONSULTATION Ò We are trying to make the decision-making process more participatory by : 1. Promoting the importance of the public 1. Open discussions on important local issues 2. Gatherings in the small settlements of the municipality. 3. Working groups consisted of the elected ,officials and citizens 2. Involving the municipality’s stuff in the decision- making procedures so they could take part in the changes we want to make in our municipality 3. We elected our municipal ombudsman GREEN GREEK CITIES NETWORK Participation and presidency of the GGCN Ò Our municipality is a unique case Ò It’s essential for us that we succeed Ò It’s an opportunity for the green policies to be implemented . Thank you very much!!!! Any questions? .