ATHENS (Reuters) - The Bank of Greece said on Tuesday it had set up a commission of scientists to study the impact of climate change on the country's economy.
"The commission will assess the cost of climate change for the Greek economy, the cost of any inertia as well as the cost of measures to soften the effects of global warming as part of European Union policies," George Provopoulos, governor of the central bank, told reporters.
Last week, legislators from around the world called on G8 nations to take the lead on climate change by slashing their carbon output and promising hundreds of billions of dollars to help poorer countries adapt.
One hundred parliamentarians from rich and poor countries gathered in Italy and said time was running out to clinch a deal before a make-or-break U.N. climate summit in Copenhagen.
The December summit is due to draft a replacement for the Kyoto pact, which expires in 2012. Developing countries, which stand to bear the brunt of severe weather changes, say carbon cuts offered by rich nations are not enough.
The central bank's commission will evaluate the cost of reducing greenhouse gases and of adjusting to climate change. The study began in March and will be concluded in two years.
"Greece, as a Mediterranean country, will be impacted more intensely given the particularities of its topography, geographical position and the significant share of tourism and agriculture in its overall economic activity," Provopoulos said.
He said rising to the challenge of climate change must have a central role in a long term plan to ensure sustainable growth.
(Reporting by George Georgiopoulos, editing by Mike Peacock)
