“I've been working quite hard on this topic,” Mitsotakis told Politico in an interview from his Athens office last month. “I believe strongly in a green transition, but it shouldn't come at the expense of people who are actually suffering right now from the effects of climate change.”
Preparing for the devastating effects of climate change is known collectively as “climate adaptation.” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has committed to including a European climate adaptation plan in her second term programme, which was presented to the European Parliament in July.
The Greek prime minister, a close aide to von der Leyen and a leading figure in her European People's Party, said the European Commission president's focus on adaptation was “very welcome.”
But as with other big problems facing the continent, one challenge is how much funding will be put into a problem that primarily affects half of the European Union. The north will also face heatwaves, floods, fires and epidemics, but the hit will fall hardest on the south at first.
Discussions at EU level are likely to eventually include calls for funds to help the worst-hit regions and may test how much the wealthy but stingy Nordic countries really want to help their neighbours.
“We want to invest as soon as possible because it will reduce costs and bring benefits sooner. That's why the financial debate is so important,” Rivera said when asked if he envisaged a special EU fund to address the issue.
