Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-002182/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Nikolaos Anadiotis (NI)
The plan for a permanent CO2 storage project in an underwater area near Prinos, a village on the Greek island of Thasos, raises serious questions with regard to long-term management and responsibility.
There are environmental and legal concerns, technical and geological questions regarding the safety of storage on the site – which is located less than 10 km away from populated areas – and fierce opposition from local communities in Kavala and Thasos, as well as concerns in relation to Mount Athos, a UNESCO World Heritage site and part of the European
Natura 2000[1] network. What is more, Greece is one of countries with the most seismic activity in Europe. Finally, unlike the Atlantic OSPAR Convention, which allows, following its amendment, the discharge of pollutants, the Barcelona Convention and the Protocol for the Protection of the Mediterranean Sea against Pollution from Land-Based Sources prohibit, save for an express exception[2], the discharge of pollutants into the sea bed.
In light of the above, can the Commission say:
- 1.How does it assess the compatibility of this project with the Barcelona Convention and Directive 2009/31/EC[3]?
- 2.Has an environmental assessment been carried out at EU or Member State level for the project?
- 3.How does it ensure long-term monitoring and responsibility for leakages or effects on the marine environment?
Submitted: 30.5.2025