The Impact of Climate Change on the Primary Sector in Greece: An Overview

This article aims to review the existing literature on the impact of climate change on Greece’s primary sector, focusing on sustainable management. Climate change has already caused and will persistently cause significant adverse impacts in various sectors due to environmental degradation, resource depletion, and extreme weather events. These impacts are evident in the natural environment, the economy, and society, resulting in infrastructure damage, decreased agricultural productivity, and economic downturn. The EU and Greek strategies and policies are focused on adapting to and mitigating the impacts of human activities. In Greece, the primary sector is a critical pillar of the national economy, contributing significantly to GDP and employment. Greek agriculture is known for its small farms and diverse topography, which lead to high productivity for specific crops and a significant role in the agri-food sector. The agricultural sector’s importance goes beyond domestic production and has impact on exports and regional development. This highlights the critical need for sustainable agricultural practices to improve efficiency and resilience against climate change. The review underscores the ongoing need for research and policy support to maintain the viability of the primary sector, considering evolving climate conditions.