Sitia, Greece
Sitia is a coastal and olive-oil producing area in the Eastern part of Crete in Greece. It is the European region most exposed to climate pressures, mainly due to heat, droughts, and lack of sufficient and sustainable freshwater resources. During the summer, tourism and agricultural activities threaten water availability.
With about 600 caves and trekking routes, historical monuments such as the Minoan Palace of Zakros and the ancient cities of Itanos and Praisos, and the NATURA-protected Vai palm tree forest, the Sitia region is protected by the UNESCO Global Geopark.
Nature-based Solutions
Introducing local plants
Planting local species among olive trees can prevent water evaporation and water loss due to heat. Additionally, this practice can enhance biodiversity in olive fields while maintaining olive oil production and protecting farmers.
Beach nourishment
Using gravel to naturally mimic sand’s capacity to absorb waves, a coastal area can be protected from flooding and coastal erosion. Beach nourishment creates a more natural coastal landscape, avoiding the use of cement and sea walls. The method will be replicated from Tuscany’s demo case.
Med-IREN Benefits
Safe electricity supply
Water quality improvement and availability
Resilient telecommunications networks
Climate Resilience Policies
The Regional Plan for Climate Change Adaptation in Crete includes strengthening regional structures responsible for addressing the issue, as well as developing a system to monitor both climate change itself and the implementation of the adaptation programme.
One of the main objectives of the Regional Plan for Climate Change Adaptation is to engage local communities, along with social and productive partners, in a dialogue aimed at raising awareness and publicising the issue, enabling active participation in the development and implementation of the adaptation strategy.