Recent Developments in Environmental Law in Greece: A Commentary

Vasiliki-Maria Tzatzaki

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ijepp.20200803.13

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Recent Developments in Environmental Law in Greece: A Commentary

Vasiliki-Maria Tzatzaki

Published in International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy (Volume 8, Issue 3)

Received: 5 June 2020 Accepted: 14 July 2020 Published: 4 August 2020

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Abstract

The recently voted environmental law in Greece (Law 4685/2020) aims to modernize and simplify the existing provisions and administrative procedures on various topics of national environmental regulation. The draft provisions underwent extensive public consultations with all interested stakeholders on the basis of transparency. The objective of this paper is to present Environmental Law 4685/2020; for methodological reasons, an analysis of each Chapter of the Law is being analyzed. Specifically, the Law comprises of eleven Chapters, each attempting to approach different issues, with 136 articles in total and two annexes, being one of the most ambitious revision proposals in the field of environmental legislation in Europe for the time being. The examination of the Chapters shows that the majority of its provisions stem from European Union legislation, with which Greece -as a member state- needs to comply. In this context, national provisions based on older Directives have been updated, while recent European Union Directives have been transposed, on the basis of new societal needs. The paper concludes that the new Environmental Law is an ambitious legislative framework, which sets more efficient regulatory models and faster procedures in Greece for the preservation of the ecosystems and the promotion of economic development at the same time.

Published in	International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy (Volume 8, Issue 3)
DOI	10.11648/j.ijepp.20200803.13
Page(s)	66-69
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2020. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Environmental Law, Public Consultation, Modernization, Energy Resources, EU Directives

References

[1]	Law 4685/2020 “Modernization of environmental legislation, integration into the Greek legislation of the Directives 2018/844 and 2019/692 of the European Parliament and the Council and other provisions”, Government Gazette A 92, 07 May 2020.
[2]	R. Adams, Transparency: New Trajectories in Law, New York, NY: Routledge, 2020 and D. Berliner (2014). The Political Origins of Transparency, The Journal of Politics, 76: 479-491.
[3]	I. Kapoor (2001). Towards Participatory Environmental Management, Journal of Environmental management 63: 269-279.
[4]	Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development “Citizens as Partners. Information, Consultation and Public Participation in Policy-Making”, Paris: OECD, 2001.
[5]	See https://www.hellenicparliament.gr/UserFiles/2f026f42-950c-4efc-b950-340c4fb76a24/perivallontos-olo.pdf (in Greek).
[6]	Law 4685/2020 “Modernization of environmental legislation, integration into the Greek legislation of the Directives 2018/844 and 2019/692 of the European Parliament and the Council and other provisions”, Government Gazette A 92, 07 May 2020, articles 1-9.
[7]	A. Morrison-Saunders, Advanced Introduction to Environmnental Impact Assessment, Cheltenham: Edward Elgar Publishing, 2018.
[8]	Directive 2011/92/EU of the European parliament and of the council of 13 December 2011 on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment (consolidated text), available at https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:02011L0092-20140515&from=EN.
[9]	Law 4685/2020 “Modernization of environmental legislation, integration into the Greek legislation of the Directives 2018/844 and 2019/692 of the European Parliament and the Council and other provisions”, Government Gazette A 92, 07 May 2020, articles 10-25.
[10]	Directive (EU) 2018/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2018 on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources, available at https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32018L2001&from=EN.
[11]	Paris Agreement, signed 12 December 2015, entry into force 4 November 2016, available at https://treaties.un.org/doc/Publication/UNTS/No%20Volume/54113/Part/I-54113-0800000280458f37.pdf.
[12]	Law 4685/2020 “Modernization of environmental legislation, integration into the Greek legislation of the Directives 2018/844 and 2019/692 of the European Parliament and the Council and other provisions”, Government Gazette A 92, 07 May 2020, articles 26-43.
[13]	A. Gillespie, Protected Areas and International Environment Law, The Netherlands: BRILL, 2007, A. Jackson, Conserving Europe’s Wildlife: Law and Policy of the Natura 2000 Network of Protected Areas, London: Routledge, 2018 and K. Bastmeijer (ed.), Wilderness Protection in Europe. The Role of International, European and National Law, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2016.
[14]	M. Isufaj (2014). Decentralization and the Increased Autonomy in Local Governments, Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences 109: 459-463.
[15]	Law 4685/2020, “Modernization of environmental legislation, integration into the Greek legislation of the Directives 2018/844 and 2019/692 of the European Parliament and the Council and other provisions”, Government Gazette A 92, 07 May 2020, articles 44-47.
[16]	Directive 2009/147/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 November 2009 on the conservation of wild birds (codified version), available at https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32009L0147&from=EN.
[17]	Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora (consolidated version), available at https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:01992L0043-20130701&from=EN.
[18]	Law 4685/2020, “Modernization of environmental legislation, integration into the Greek legislation of the Directives 2018/844 and 2019/692 of the European Parliament and the Council and other provisions”, Government Gazette A 92, 07 May 2020, articles 48-49.
[19]	Law 4685/2020, “Modernization of environmental legislation, integration into the Greek legislation of the Directives 2018/844 and 2019/692 of the European Parliament and the Council and other provisions”, Government Gazette A 92, 07 May 2020, articles 50-55.
[20]	Law 4685/2020, “Modernization of environmental legislation, integration into the Greek legislation of the Directives 2018/844 and 2019/692 of the European Parliament and the Council and other provisions”, Government Gazette A 92, 07 May 2020, articles 56-71.
[21]	Law 4685/2020, “Modernization of environmental legislation, integration into the Greek legislation of the Directives 2018/844 and 2019/692 of the European Parliament and the Council and other provisions”, Government Gazette A 92, 07 May 2020, articles 72-73.
[22]	Directive (EU) 2019/692 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 April 2019 amending Directive 2009/73/EC concerning common rules for the internal market in natural gas, available at https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32019L0692&from=EN.
[23]	Law 4685/2020, “Modernization of environmental legislation, integration into the Greek legislation of the Directives 2018/844 and 2019/692 of the European Parliament and the Council and other provisions”, Government Gazette A 92, 07 May 2020, articles 74-82.
[24]	Law 4685/2020, “Modernization of environmental legislation, integration into the Greek legislation of the Directives 2018/844 and 2019/692 of the European Parliament and the Council and other provisions”, Government Gazette A 92, 07 May 2020, articles 83-95.
[25]	European Commission, Directorate General Environment, Preparing a Waste Management Plan. A Methodological Guidance Note, 2012, available at https://ec.europa.eu/environment/waste/plans/pdf/2012_guidance_note.pdf.
[26]	Law 4685/2020, “Modernization of environmental legislation, integration into the Greek legislation of the Directives 2018/844 and 2019/692 of the European Parliament and the Council and other provisions”, Government Gazette A 92, 07 May 2020, articles 96-136.
[27]	Council Directive of 21 May 1991 concerning urban waste water treatment (91/271/EEC, consolidated version), available at COUNCIL DIRECTIVE of 21 May 1991 concerning urban waste water treatment (91/271/EEC).
[28]	Directive (EU) 2015/720 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2015 amending Directive 94/62/EC as regards reducing the consumption of lightweight plastic carrier bags, available at https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32015L0720&from=EN.

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Vasiliki-Maria Tzatzaki. (2020). Recent Developments in Environmental Law in Greece: A Commentary. International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy, 8(3), 66-69. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepp.20200803.13

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Vasiliki-Maria Tzatzaki. Recent Developments in Environmental Law in Greece: A Commentary. Int. J. Environ. Prot. Policy 2020, 8(3), 66-69. doi: 10.11648/j.ijepp.20200803.13

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Vasiliki-Maria Tzatzaki. Recent Developments in Environmental Law in Greece: A Commentary. Int J Environ Prot Policy. 2020;8(3):66-69. doi: 10.11648/j.ijepp.20200803.13

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@article{10.11648/j.ijepp.20200803.13,
  author = {Vasiliki-Maria Tzatzaki},
  title = {Recent Developments in Environmental Law in Greece: A Commentary},
  journal = {International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy},
  volume = {8},
  number = {3},
  pages = {66-69},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijepp.20200803.13},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepp.20200803.13},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijepp.20200803.13},
  abstract = {The recently voted environmental law in Greece (Law 4685/2020) aims to modernize and simplify the existing provisions and administrative procedures on various topics of national environmental regulation. The draft provisions underwent extensive public consultations with all interested stakeholders on the basis of transparency. The objective of this paper is to present Environmental Law 4685/2020; for methodological reasons, an analysis of each Chapter of the Law is being analyzed. Specifically, the Law comprises of eleven Chapters, each attempting to approach different issues, with 136 articles in total and two annexes, being one of the most ambitious revision proposals in the field of environmental legislation in Europe for the time being. The examination of the Chapters shows that the majority of its provisions stem from European Union legislation, with which Greece -as a member state- needs to comply. In this context, national provisions based on older Directives have been updated, while recent European Union Directives have been transposed, on the basis of new societal needs. The paper concludes that the new Environmental Law is an ambitious legislative framework, which sets more efficient regulatory models and faster procedures in Greece for the preservation of the ecosystems and the promotion of economic development at the same time.},
 year = {2020}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Recent Developments in Environmental Law in Greece: A Commentary
AU  - Vasiliki-Maria Tzatzaki
Y1  - 2020/08/04
PY  - 2020
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepp.20200803.13
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijepp.20200803.13
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JO  - International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy
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EP  - 69
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AB  - The recently voted environmental law in Greece (Law 4685/2020) aims to modernize and simplify the existing provisions and administrative procedures on various topics of national environmental regulation. The draft provisions underwent extensive public consultations with all interested stakeholders on the basis of transparency. The objective of this paper is to present Environmental Law 4685/2020; for methodological reasons, an analysis of each Chapter of the Law is being analyzed. Specifically, the Law comprises of eleven Chapters, each attempting to approach different issues, with 136 articles in total and two annexes, being one of the most ambitious revision proposals in the field of environmental legislation in Europe for the time being. The examination of the Chapters shows that the majority of its provisions stem from European Union legislation, with which Greece -as a member state- needs to comply. In this context, national provisions based on older Directives have been updated, while recent European Union Directives have been transposed, on the basis of new societal needs. The paper concludes that the new Environmental Law is an ambitious legislative framework, which sets more efficient regulatory models and faster procedures in Greece for the preservation of the ecosystems and the promotion of economic development at the same time.
VL  - 8
IS  - 3
ER  -

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Author Information

Vasiliki-Maria Tzatzaki

Hellenic Ministry of Environment and Energy, Athens, Greece

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APA Style

Vasiliki-Maria Tzatzaki. (2020). Recent Developments in Environmental Law in Greece: A Commentary. International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy, 8(3), 66-69. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepp.20200803.13

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ACS Style

Vasiliki-Maria Tzatzaki. Recent Developments in Environmental Law in Greece: A Commentary. Int. J. Environ. Prot. Policy 2020, 8(3), 66-69. doi: 10.11648/j.ijepp.20200803.13

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AMA Style

Vasiliki-Maria Tzatzaki. Recent Developments in Environmental Law in Greece: A Commentary. Int J Environ Prot Policy. 2020;8(3):66-69. doi: 10.11648/j.ijepp.20200803.13

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.ijepp.20200803.13,
  author = {Vasiliki-Maria Tzatzaki},
  title = {Recent Developments in Environmental Law in Greece: A Commentary},
  journal = {International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy},
  volume = {8},
  number = {3},
  pages = {66-69},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijepp.20200803.13},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepp.20200803.13},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijepp.20200803.13},
  abstract = {The recently voted environmental law in Greece (Law 4685/2020) aims to modernize and simplify the existing provisions and administrative procedures on various topics of national environmental regulation. The draft provisions underwent extensive public consultations with all interested stakeholders on the basis of transparency. The objective of this paper is to present Environmental Law 4685/2020; for methodological reasons, an analysis of each Chapter of the Law is being analyzed. Specifically, the Law comprises of eleven Chapters, each attempting to approach different issues, with 136 articles in total and two annexes, being one of the most ambitious revision proposals in the field of environmental legislation in Europe for the time being. The examination of the Chapters shows that the majority of its provisions stem from European Union legislation, with which Greece -as a member state- needs to comply. In this context, national provisions based on older Directives have been updated, while recent European Union Directives have been transposed, on the basis of new societal needs. The paper concludes that the new Environmental Law is an ambitious legislative framework, which sets more efficient regulatory models and faster procedures in Greece for the preservation of the ecosystems and the promotion of economic development at the same time.},
 year = {2020}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Recent Developments in Environmental Law in Greece: A Commentary
AU  - Vasiliki-Maria Tzatzaki
Y1  - 2020/08/04
PY  - 2020
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepp.20200803.13
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijepp.20200803.13
T2  - International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy
JF  - International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy
JO  - International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy
SP  - 66
EP  - 69
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2330-7536
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepp.20200803.13
AB  - The recently voted environmental law in Greece (Law 4685/2020) aims to modernize and simplify the existing provisions and administrative procedures on various topics of national environmental regulation. The draft provisions underwent extensive public consultations with all interested stakeholders on the basis of transparency. The objective of this paper is to present Environmental Law 4685/2020; for methodological reasons, an analysis of each Chapter of the Law is being analyzed. Specifically, the Law comprises of eleven Chapters, each attempting to approach different issues, with 136 articles in total and two annexes, being one of the most ambitious revision proposals in the field of environmental legislation in Europe for the time being. The examination of the Chapters shows that the majority of its provisions stem from European Union legislation, with which Greece -as a member state- needs to comply. In this context, national provisions based on older Directives have been updated, while recent European Union Directives have been transposed, on the basis of new societal needs. The paper concludes that the new Environmental Law is an ambitious legislative framework, which sets more efficient regulatory models and faster procedures in Greece for the preservation of the ecosystems and the promotion of economic development at the same time.
VL  - 8
IS  - 3
ER  -

Copy | Download