CLIMATTICA represents a dynamic new response to the climate change crisis, initiated by the Region of Attica with the support of the Development Organization “New Metropolitan Attica SA”, bringing together the entire nation of Greece in a concerted, coordinated effort to tackle this challenge. 

A new national network of Local Administration Organizations for climatic change and the mitigation of its impact going under the name of CLIMATTICA® has been set up through the initiative of the Regional Governor, Mr. Giorgos Patoulis. The Region of Attica Development Organization “New Metropolitan Attica SA”, within the framework of its Action Pillar for Environment and Climate Change as well as its support and counselling role to the Region, are in the process of elaborating on the Governor’s vision with specialist support and the creation of a comprehensive road map.

Over the last few years, Greece – and especially the Region of Attica- has had to face the increasing consequences of climatic change, with extreme weather phenomena severely affecting large areas and of course the communities that inhabit them. Climatic change presents mounting challenges, on every level, and the Region of Attica is as vulnerable as any to its impact.

CLIMATTICA is a multi-participatory Network of Regions and Municipalities, a platform for news, information, data, knowledge, experience and best practices exchange among potential partners, which will operate as a reliable interface between local communities in environmentally sensitive areas and as an invaluable source upon which to base policy decisions concerning climate issues.

CLIMATTICA has met with the approval of Emeritus Professor of the National and Kapodistrian Athens University and General Secretary of the Athens Academy and National Representative on Climate Change issues, Dr. Christos Zerefos, who praised the initiative and stressed that the foundation of a national network for climate change initiated by the Region of Attica could not have come at a more timely moment:

“The period we live in unquestionably marks the start of the destabilisation of the whole planet as a consequence of humanity’s influence on the climate.”

The CLIMATTICA Network will be a centre of public consultation, enhancing the dialogue among the stakeholders (including local authorities and communities, private and public institutes and experts in their respective fields) and contributing to the support of a specialized and pro-active response to the climate change challenge. What is envisioned is the thorough exchange of experience and know-how, a showcasing and dissemination of models for best practices, the formulation of documented policy plans which will be submitted to competent bodies on all levels, the promotion of innovative cooperation between Local Administration Organizations and other bodies, as well as the implementation of awareness and sensitization initiatives and the provision of timely and relevant information in the public domain.

The participation of the Region of Attica as a Founding Member in the ongoing establishment of the Boroughs and Regions Climate Change Network, CLIMATTICA, has met with the approval of the Regional Council of Attica at its 18^th meeting.

The main speakers were the Vice Regional Governor of Civil Protection and Environment and President of EDSNA, Mr. V. Kokkalis, and the Regional Executive Director on Industry, Energy and Natural Resources and President of the “New Metropolitan Attica SA” Development Organization of the Region of Attica, Mr. N. Papageorgiou.

Referring to the initiative during the meeting, the Regional Governor, Mr. Giorgos Patoulis made the following comments:

“The National Government, Local Government and any other stakeholder, in constant collaboration with local communities, are called upon to take up the challenge of ensuring a viable future for Greece and its citizens, especially those belonging to the new or upcoming generations. We want the Regions and Boroughs to constitute a role model of cooperation in implementing viable policies and seeking the best possible responses to the most pressing needs of our times. They will draw on the experience and good practices as well as the creativity of all social forces; making the most of the world of knowledge and research, business initiative and productivity and the organizations and bodies of citizen communities.”

“New Metropolitan Attica SA” will continue to support the initiative for the creation of the CLIMATTICA network, the set- up and start-up of the operation of the Network and the promotion of its goals and actions.