The National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Energy Policy and Development Centre (KEPA) - the United Nations Academic Impact Hub for SDG7 (UNAI SDG Hub7), aiming to ensure access to clean and affordable energy for all - launched in October 2019, the Initiative "75 UN - 75 Trees UNAI SDG7" for its participation in the celebrations for the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the United Nations. Prof. Dimitrios Mavrakis, Director of KEPA, is the coordinator of the initiative, assisted by Dr. Popi Konidari.
In October 2020, the Hellenic Green Fund funded the Initiative allowing KEPA to adopt an approach with tele-meetings, letters, press releases, postings in social media, stories in KEPA’s new website, an international meeting titled “International Tree Planting Initiative” at Bourazani (Konitsa) and telephone communications. This led to a progressive increase in the number of interested Hellenic municipalities. From 29 in 2020, to 61 in 2021, 101 in 2022 and 110 in 2023. In 2024 the number is increasing.
The total number for this first phase of funding is 4.984 trees, in 29 Municipalities and 2 Associations. When these trees grow, this corresponds to more than 105 tons of sequestrated CO2 per year. This year, KEPA received new funding from the Hellenic Green Fund to continue.
