8th Sustainability Summit for Southeast Europe and the Mediterranean
On 14–15 October 2024, Professor Phoebe Koundouri participated in the 8th Sustainability Summit for Southeast Europe and the Mediterranean, organized by Economist Impact SE Europe Events. She delivered a keynote speech titled “The Fight for Sustainability: Where Are We Heading?”
In her address, Professor Koundouri underscored the mission of the SDSN Global Climate Hub, which aims to develop integrated solutions and pathways for achieving climate neutrality and resilience. These pathways are rooted in socio-economic and financial systems and rely on inclusive, participatory processes involving a wide range of stakeholders.
She highlighted the Hub’s data-driven approach to decarbonization, presenting scenario-based analyses for reaching climate goals. Emphasizing the role of the European Union, she argued that EU decarbonization targets can be met through strong investments in renewable energy, especially solar power. She called for a transparent transition roadmap and a pan-European plan that enables Southern European countries to become leaders in affordable solar energy production.
The summit gathered influential voices in sustainability, including Jeffrey Sachs, President of the Sustainable Development Solutions Network, Domagoj Juricic from MKPS Croatia, and Rania Assariotaki from The American College of Greece.