NGOs Urge EU Commission to Reassess Greece's Oil Activities in Whale Habitat
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Loading... - Radimir Sokolov
- 15 Oct 2024
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Environmental NGOs are pressing the European Commission to reconsider its stance on Greece's approval of offshore oil and gas concessions in the Hellenic Trench, a critical habitat for endangered whale species. The NGOs, including ClientEarth, WWF Greece, and Greenpeace Greece, argue that Greece has been granting these concessions without conducting necessary assessments on marine biodiversity and protected areas, potentially violating EU laws.
The Hellenic Trench, part of the Mediterranean Sea, is home to endangered marine mammals such as sperm whales and Cuvier’s beaked whales. The concessions are also near several Natura 2000 sites, which are part of a network of protected areas in the EU. Despite these concerns, the European Commission previously indicated that it did not need to intervene, stating that EU laws do not apply to seismic research activities unless there is drilling or physical alteration of a site.
The NGOs' complaint highlights that the Greek government has issued permits for exploration and exploitation without appropriate impact assessments, which they believe contravenes EU regulations. After exhausting national legal avenues, the NGOs turned to the European Commission, which acts as the guardian of EU treaties, to ensure compliance with EU law.
In response to the Commission's initial decision to close the complaint, the NGOs submitted additional information, arguing that seismic surveys, which are currently being conducted by oil companies in the region, do indeed alter the physical environment through noise pollution. They emphasize that their concerns extend beyond seismic surveys to all phases of oil and gas production, including exploration, drilling, storage, and transportation, all of which should undergo thorough impact assessments under EU law.
The NGOs hope that the European Commission will reconsider its position and take action to protect the marine biodiversity in the Hellenic Trench, ensuring that Greece complies with EU environmental standards.
