Greek Environment Min.: Private participation in forest management

The participation of the private sector in the active management of forests was proposed by the Minister of Environment and Energy, Mr. Theodoros Skylakakis.

In his statements to CNN, the minister described the situation in Attica with the fires and emphasized that “financial resources and the participation of both the private sector and the markets are needed to clean up the forests”.

In fact, as he noted, “we need the private sector, we need to utilize the fuel that has been collected in the forests for decades: Whether for biofuels, energy or wood products”.

Change in prevention method

According to Mr. Skylakakis, a change in forest fire prevention is required “otherwise we will lose the forests”.

“The private sector must become part of our policy. It is necessary to get involved so that the fuel (ie biomass) comes out of the forests and is utilized by the market”.

He explained that both in the Mediterranean and in the USA the big problem is the biomass that has accumulated in the forests and turns wildfires into mega-fires. “The climate crisis is here,” he emphasized at another point, “and we are fighting fires.” In Greece we had two heat waves which favored the occurrence of fires.

He underlined that “Greece has increased its firefighting aircraft, helicopters and firefighters. We spent 150 million euros over the two years for forest fire prevention. Preparations are being made, we are opening fire zones and taking other preventive measures.”

Mr. Skylakakis spoke about the “need for active forest management with the involvement of the private sector”.

However, according to information, in this way, i.e. the participation of the market in the clearing of forests, the utilization of fuel, the public sector collects more resources that can be allocated to the prevention and treatment of fires.