One of the key topics of this year’s Elafonisos Eco Week was “Blue Opportunities.” During the conferences on the second day, Dimitrios Ptochos, Governor of the Peloponnese region, opened his speech by agreeing with Prince Albert II that their presence was symbolic, aiming to raise awareness about the interconnectedness of environmental and ecological issues. He emphasized the need for cooperation and synergies to maximize the impact of their efforts.
He described the Peloponnese as a region of great natural beauty and cultural heritage, but one that is also vulnerable to climate change. Dimitrios Ptochos stressed the urgency of adopting resilient and adaptive policies, particularly in water management. He outlined three major water concerns: irrigation, drinkable water, and protection from extreme weather, advocating for a holistic approach with new technologies and education.
Waste management was identified as the region’s second priority, with integrated systems already in place across all municipalities. A new plan to improve solid waste management will soon be rolled out.
The third priority is the creation of a climate change observatory in the Peloponnese, which will gather data to help plan and improve infrastructure based on evidence.
He also proposed integrating Elafonisos into the Greco Islands Network, an initiative focused on sustainable energy, water, waste, and the blue economy. The application is in progress, with expected positive results.
In conclusion, he emphasized that regional development should be based on three principles: economic sustainability, environmental responsibility and social justice.