In November 2024, the “Climate Challenges” Forum was held at the B & M Theocharakis Foundation for the Fine Arts & Music, organised by the Hellenic Society for the Protection of Nature (HSPN) with the participation of distinguished speakers from Greece and abroad, aiming to highlight the importance of environmental education for the new generation, society and the economy. The Forum, which was organised with the support of the John S. Latsis Public Benefit Foundation in the framework of HSPN’s series of educational activities entitled “Protection of Nature Lab”, highlighted the need to continue the dialogue on some of the most pressing issues of our time: climate change and urban sustainability, sustainable tourism, and the role of education in shaping a sustainable future.

In addition, the results of the nationwide survey conducted by METRON ANALYSIS for the HSPN on “Trends of Society and Citizens regarding the Climate Crisis in Greece and the World” were presented, aiming to capture the travel behaviour of the Greeks, current tourism trends in theera of climate change, and how tourism enterprises in Greece can redefine their future by adopting innovative models that promote transition of the tourism sector towards sustainability. The survey revealed that the perception and awareness regarding climate change in Greece is increasing significantly, while also highlighting the influence of economic factors on Greek citizens’ travel decisions.

Watch the Forum here (in Greek).

• More than 810 people attended the Forum, either in person or remotely.
• The Forum highlighted a new perspective across 3 areas: Tourism, Sustainable Cities and Green Education.

 “The ‘Climate Challenges’ Forum aspires to strengthen dialogue, collaboration, stakeholder engagement across diverse sectors, and highlight transition projects implemented in Greece. This is a crucial time for all those working toward adapting to the new realities brought about by the climate crisis, to transform denial into acceptance, concern into knowledge, responsibility into opportunity, and action into hope for future generations. Every day brings new technologies, new investments, new collaborations, and new policies for this multidimensional effort.”

Nikos Petrou

President, Hellenic Society for the Protection of Nature

Vice President, Foundation for Environmental Education