Law no. 4685 of 2020. Modernisation of environmental legislation, incorporation into Greek legislation of Directives 2018/844 and 2019/692 of the European Parliament and of the Council and other provisions.

This Law, consisting of 136 articles, provides for a framework for amendments and updates of Greek environmental Legislation, and concerns incorporation of Directives 2018/844 of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Directive 2010/31/EU on the energy performance of buildings and Directive 2012/27/EU on energy efficiency, and Directives 2019/692 amending Directive 2009/73/EC concerning common rules for the internal market in natural gas. Chapter 1 of the Law amends Law no. 4014/2011 concerning simplification of environmental permitting and provides for: environmental management system and ecological management and audit; environmental impact assessment; environmental conditions and actions of environmental authority; electronic environmental register. Chapter 2 concerns licence to produce electricity from renewable energy sources; protection of public health and safety; electricity production and compliance with sustainable development framework and special spatial planning; zoning restriction; installation of photovoltaic plants in both private and municipal lands; restrictions concerning wind farms in case of projects installed in irrigation, water supply, sewerage networks and waste treatment facilities.
Chapter 3 concerns the management of protected areas and includes: Bodies of the National Policy Governance System for Protected Areas; establishment, purpose and supervision of the Natural Environment and Climate Change Organisation, responsible for promoting sustainable development, addressing climate change issues and recommending measures to integrate the environmental dimension into public policies for agriculture, fisheries, industry, tourism, transport and energy sectors; resources and financial management of the Natural Environment and Climate Change Organisation; tasks and responsibilities of Protected Areas Management Units; protection of species and habitats and evaluation of management objectives; participation in local fire prevention planning; education of the population about protected areas; actions in support of ecotourism programs and valorisation of local products of the primary sector. Chapter 4 concerns definition of specific zones within a protected area, including: zone of absolute protection of nature, special category of use and agricultural, forestry, livestock, aquaculture activities, recreational and professional fishing, land improvement projects for rural development, extractive activities; biodiversity protection areas, wildlife sanctuaries, national parks and their characteristics.
The following chapters concern forest maps setting; setting minimum requirements for energy efficiency and heating systems in buildings; matters related to regulation of Greek land registry; waste management issues, including: national and regional waste management planning, biological waste treatment and disposal, issuance of permits, marine transportation of municipal solid waste, hazardous waste transport obligations, waste upload, end of plastic bag use.