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Greek National Climate Law

The Greek National Climate Law "Transition to climate neutrality and adaptation to climate change, urgent provisions to address the energy crisis and protect the environment" Greek National Climate Law N.4936/2022 (Government Gazette 105A/2022)is mandatory for the following activities/businesses.

 

 

What it concerns

 

In particular:

(Subjects of Articles 16, 19, 20)

 

Article 16

 

Local Authorities (O.T.A.) of the first degree (Municipalities):

Based on the requirements of the Climate Law and the Article 16, it is stipulated that, each first-tier Local Government (LGU) must prepare a Municipal Emission Reduction Plan (MEP) of its carbon footprint, which must include:

  • a detailed inventory, based on the year 2019, of energy consumption and emissions for buildings, public facilities, in particular for sports, culture, lighting of municipal streets and public spaces, as well as municipal water supply, sewerage, irrigation and municipal vehicles, and must also take into account the Energy Performance Plan for Buildings; and
  • set a net emissions reduction target of at least ten percent (10%) for the year 2025 and thirty percent (30%) for the year 2030, compared to the 2019 baseline year.

 

In order for the Municipality to achieve the Emission Reduction Plan, the preparation of a Carbon Footprint Emission Report (CO2e footprint) of the Municipality's emission categories 1 and 2 for the base year 2019 is required, followed by its verification by an officially recognized/accredited verifier (Law 4936/2022, article 16, paragraph 6).

The Verification procedure includes:

a) the initial Verification of the Report concerning the calculated carbon footprint of the Municipality for the base year 2019; and

b) the periodic Verifications, which take place each year after the initial verification, as also provided for by the Climate Law, based on the respective Reports, on a year-by-year basis.

 

Article 19

 

Organizations with projects and activities classified in the categories provided for in the Climate Law shall , by 1 January 2026, submit a verified carbon footprint report to the Environmental Authority responsible for their licensing.

The categories of projects and activities covered by this regulation, which do not fall within the scope of the European Emission Trading System (ETS), refer to the Decision of the Ministry of Environment and Energy (DIPA/oik.37674/27.7.2016) and its amendments:

  • Group 4: Environmental Infrastructure Systems,
  • Group 6: Systems of tourist facilities and urban development, building, sports and recreation projects,
  • Group 7: Livestock facilities,
  • Group 8: Aquaculture,

8.8.1.1.2.2. and based on the Joint Decision 92108/1045/F.15/4.9.2020 of the Ministers of Development and Investment and Environment and Energy and its amendments:

  • Group 9: Industrial activities and related facilities.

The report shall be submitted with a base year of 2019 and annually thereafter by 31 October of each year and verified by Accredited Bodies.

 

Article 20

 

Medium and Large Enterprises, as from 2023, Medium and Large Enterprises shall submit an annual report on their carbon footprint for the previous year.

These categories of enterprises include:

  • Companies listed on the Greek Stock Exchange,
  • Companies listed in the Greek Stock Exchange (Greece); Financial Institutions,
  • Financial institutions, financial institutions, insurance companies,
  • Investment Companies,
  • Insurance companies, Investment Companies, Investment Firms, Insurance Companies, Investment Companies, Fixed and Mobile Telephony Companies, Fixed and Mobile Telephony Companies,
  • Water and Sewerage Companies,
  • Courier companies,
  • Electricity and gas utilities,
  • Retail chains employing more than 500 employees,
  • supply chain service providers (3PLs); and
  • Public transport service companies.

The carbon footprint is calculated based on the standards prescribed by law (e.g. ISO 14064-1:2018) and verified by Accredited Verification Bodies.

The submission of the first report should be completed by 31 October of each year.

TÜV HELLAS (TÜV NORD) has a long experience and experienced staff in the verification of GHG emissions and is accredited in Greece by the ESYD according to ISO 17029 and holds certificate number 884-5 for ISO 14064-1, ISO 14064-2 and EU ETS.