E. Greece

Abstract

With the country still deep in a financial, economic, and social crisis, the development and implementation of environmental law continued with severe delays and problems, following a clear prioritization of economic development notwithstanding the environmental cost. Structural problems that continued into 2017 include: lack of progress on access to environmental information; downgrading of environmental controls and lack of enforcement of sanctions; legal gaps in protected area management; patchy implementation of forest mapping legislation in favour of illegal constructions in the forests; and lack of waste management planning and implementation, as reflected in fines enforced through judgments of the Court of Justice of the European Union (<http://www.wwf.gr/images/pdfs/WWF-NOMOreport-2017-Final16Oct2017.pdf>). In September, the sinking of a tanker off Salamina Island resulted in a major oil spill in the Saronic Gulf, leading to severe pollution of the marine environment and destruction of coasts and beaches (<https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/sep/14/greek-oil-spill-forces-closure-athens-beaches>). The incident highlighted the lack of a mechanism for maritime accident prevention and management, as well as the lack of a traffic control mechanism in the Aegean (<http://archipelago.gr/en/navagio-sto-saroniko-deka-imeres-meta/>). Among positive developments is the ratification, after much delay, of the agreement regarding the transboundary Prespa park (<https://www.ramsar.org/news/major-transboundary-park-established-in-southeastern-europe>). This report will focus on developments of major relevance for international and European environmental law.