Sitia’s Path to Climate-Resilient Olive Oil

Published by Dimitra Panou on August 14, 2025August 14, 2025

Sitia, Crete, is pioneering ways to safeguard its famous extra-virgin olive oil against heat, droughts, and wildfires. In Regions4Climate, Dr. Thanasis Sfetsos (NCSR Demokritos) presented new eco-friendly pest control methods using pheromones to combat the olive fruit fly and plans to make a local olive oil factory carbon neutral with heat pumps and energy reuse. Alongside, Med-IREN applies nature-based solutions to reduce drought and flood risks. These initiatives show how tradition and innovation can work together to build resilience in one of Europe’s climate hotspots.