Greece is marking World Environment Day 2026 with a nationwide program of events that brings the global call for climate action down to the local level—from protected areas and wetlands to city galleries, museums, and island beaches.
Observed every year on June 5, World Environment Day is the United Nations’ main global platform for raising awareness and mobilizing action to protect the natural world. First celebrated in 1973, the day has grown into an international campaign involving governments, organizations, schools, communities and citizens around the world.
In Greece, the Natural Environment and Climate Change Agency, NECCA, is at the center of the program, organizing 65 events across the country. Activities include guided nature walks, biodiversity recording, wildlife observation, educational games, workshops, public information events and volunteer cleanups, many of them in or near protected areas.
Greece’s government highlights achievements on World Environment Day
Greece’s Minister of Environment and Energy, Stavros Papastavrou, highlighted some of the government’s environmental policies and key achievements over the past seven years.
- Expanded Marine Protection: Moving forward from commitments made at global ocean conferences (2024 in Athens and 2025 at the UN), Greece is establishing two new large National Marine Parks in the Ionian and South Aegean seas. This will double protected waters to 36% of territorial waters, surpassing the EU’s 30% target well ahead of 2030.
- Banning Industrial Fishing: Greece is pioneering marine conservation internationally by completely banning bottom trawling in all national marine parks.
- Renewable Energy Zoning Restrictions: New regulations prohibit the installation of solar farms in all Natura areas, forests, and woodlands, and ban wind farms at altitudes above 1,200 meters (3,937 ft).
- “Untrodden” Landscapes: Greece has introduced pioneering designations for strict ecological preservation, establishing thirteen “Untrodden Mountains” and 250 highly protected “Untrodden Beaches” to limit human development in sensitive ecosystems.
- Targeted Species & Habitat Conservation: Twelve National Action Plans have been launched to protect endangered species (including the brown bear, Mediterranean monk seal, Loggerhead sea turtle, and bearded vulture). Additionally, all major wetlands (Ramsar sites) and Key Biodiversity Areas are now placed under strict legislative protection.
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