
Greece is struggling to meet several key interim sustainability targets, which the EU has set along its path to transition the bloc to greener ways by 2025. To be fair, however, Greece’s underperformance is the norm rather than the exception, at least according to an article at Politico.
Politico takes a look at EU regulations and targets related to textiles, recycling, plastics, nature and cars and reveals that the EU’s middterm report card is full of failing grades.
By this year, EU countries should be recycling or preparing to reuse at least 55% of municipal waste, but the average rate of municipal waste recycling in the EU 27 is 48.7%, led by Germany (69.2%), Austria (62.6%), Slovenia (62.6%), and the Netherlands (57.5%), which are the only countries to have made the mark. Meanwhile, Greece is at the bottom of the deck at 17.5% (according to 2021 figures from Eurostat), ahead of Cyprus (14.8%), Malta (12.5%), and Romania (12.3%).

Greece’s underperformance extends to EU package recycling rates and e-waste collection rates as well (e-waste relates to electronic waste). In the EU and according to Eurostat figures from 2022, all but three EU countries are in the red on this target as well.
Countries are also supposed to be collecting over 77% single-use plastics beverage bottles and while some best practices in the bloc show promise, overall recycling rates reveal underperformance here as well. Meanwhile data on the EU’s efforts to protect nature in order to maintain carbon sink levels are falling short, as the EU’s carbon sinks continue to shrink in size.
On the upside, however, it appears that EU carmakers are on track to meet EU targets about reducing emissions, notes Politico. This is primarily driven by carmakers boosting sales on electric and hybrid vehicles. Carmakers were given quite an ‘incentive’ to make the goal, which came in the form of a threat- a hefty fine of 95 euros for each gram of CO2 per kilometer above the threshold.


Latest News

Airbnb: Greece’s Short-Term Rentals Dip in March Amid Easter Shift
Data from analytics firm AirDNA shows that average occupancy for short-term rentals dropped to 45% in March, down from 49% the same month last year.

Easter Week in Greece: Holy Friday in Orthodoxy Today
At the Vespers service on Friday evening the image of Christ is removed from the Cross and wrapped in a white cloth

Meloni and Trump Meet in Washington, Vow to Strengthen Western Ties
“I am 100% sure there will be no problems reaching a deal on tariffs with the EU—none whatsoever,” Trump stressed.

ECB Cuts Interest Rates by 25 Basis Points in Expected Move
The ECB’s Governing Council opted to lower the deposit facility rate—the benchmark for signaling monetary policy direction—citing an updated assessment of inflation prospects, the dynamics of underlying inflation, and the strength of monetary policy transmission.

Current Account Deficit Fell by €573.2ml Feb. 2025: BoG
The improvement of Greece’s current account was mainly attributed to a more robust balance of goods and, to a lesser extent, an improved primary income account

Hellenic Food Authority Issues Food Safety Tips for Easter
Food safety tips on how to make sure your lamb has been properly inspected and your eggs stay fresh.

Greek Kiwifruit Exports Smash 200,000-Ton Mark, Setting New Record
According to data by the Association of Greek Fruit, Vegetable and Juice Exporters, Incofruit Hellas, between September 1, 2024, and April 17, 2025, kiwifruit exports increased by 14.2%.

Easter Tourism Boom: Greece Sees 18.3% Surge in Hotel Bookings
Among foreign markets, Israel has emerged as the biggest growth driver, with hotel bookings more than doubling—up 178.5% year-on-year.

Greece to Launch Fast-Track Tender for Offshore Hydrocarbon Exploration
Last week, Papastavrou signed the acceptance of interest for the two Cretan blocks, while similar decisions regarding the two Ionian Sea blocks were signed by his predecessor

American-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce to Open Washington D.C. Branch
AmCham's new office aims aims to deepen U.S.-Greece economic ties and promote investment and innovation between the two countries