Transformation of a Small-Livestock, Rural Community into a Green, Nearly-Zero CO2-Emissions Settlement

The community of Eleonas, North Greece, is characterized by intensive livestock and relatively moderate rural economic activity. Residents of the community produce organic crops and livestock by recycling waste primarily from agricultural and livestock residues. These processes are carried out in a not particularly environmentally-friendly way. The community has a new target: upgrading their economic activities in the region by adopting more environmentally-friendly activities. The strategic vision is developed in hierarchical steps that aim to satisfy the requirements of rational economics and environmental protection: the primary goal is to reduce energy waste, air pollution, and pollution of the ample water resources by the current irrational waste management; then to meet their reduced energy needs by generating all possible renewable energy from every potential local source, especially biomass, energy crops, and the sun; and finally to create conditions that will favor the enhancement of entrepreneurship in the primary (alternative crops) and secondary (milking and slaughterhouses in a livestock park) sectors in the community. The aim of the project is to convert the Eleonas community into a green community of nearly/zero CO2 emissions, and thus, demonstrate the capability of development through a different model that will support the decentralized infrastructures.