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The “Green Maze”: Environmental Obligations for Cement Companies in Greece and Cyprus

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Written by Efi Thoma * The cement industry plays a crucial role in the infrastructure development of both Greece and Cyprus. However, this essential sector also carries a significant environmental footprint. From quarrying raw materials to the energy-intensive production process, cement companies face increasing scrutiny and stringent legal obligations aimed at mitigating their impact on the environment. This article delves into the key environmental issues and the pertinent legal frameworks in Greece and Cyprus that cement manufacturers must navigate. Both Greece and Cyprus, as members of the European Union, are bound by a substantial body of EU environmental law. This includes cornerstone directives such as the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Directive, the Industrial Emissions Directive (IED), the Waste Framework Directive, and legislation addressing climate change and biodiversity. These EU regulations are transposed into national law in both countries, forming the bedrock ...

Interventions in Justice System and the role of Artificial Intelligence

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by Giorgos Kazoleas, Lawyer LL.M.* The institution of Justice is not an impersonal entity unaffected by human qualities and weaknesses. In practice, it is a number of  professionals,  judges, who perform, as is commonly said, a supreme function, which is, however, a daily, systematic and repetitive task consisting mainly of adjudicating cases and issuing judicial decisions. Due to the particular importance and practical consequences that usually accompany judicial decisions, the work of judges is reasonable to be the subject of conflicting interests and the judicial judgment to be exposed to the risk or threat of being influenced by various factors including persons, social, business and political formations. In the grand scheme of things, a court decision in some part of the planet may have absolutely no significance, but in the microcosm of the people it may affect, this decision may acquire enormous value. The main threat to influencing the administration of justice i...

DORA’s main provisions and their impact on CASPs

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written by Efi Thoma, Lawyer, LL.B. | LL.M. | IMES The  Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA)  is part of the European Union's broader effort to ensure a safe and resilient digital financial ecosystem. DORA applies to a wide range of financial institutions, including banks, insurers, investment firms, and CASPs (Crypto-Asset Service Providers)  which are directly related to the rapidly growing sector of crypto-assets. DORA  is a key regulatory framework adopted by the European Union (EU) to enhance the operational resilience of financial institutions and markets, particularly in the face of increasing reliance on information technology (IT) systems and digital tools. The EU Regulation, which was introduced as part of the EU's Digital Finance Package, aims to ensure that financial institutions can withstand and recover from a variety of disruptions, including cyber attacks, system failures, and other digital operational risks. DORA applies to a broad range o...

The European Union’s (EU) Competitiveness Compass in conjunction with the EU’s Climate Mitigation Projects

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Written by Efi Thoma, Lawyer, LL.B. | LL.M. | IMES The EU Competitiveness Compass and the EU’s Climate Mitigation Projects are both integral to the European Union’s strategy for fostering a resilient and sustainable future. While the Competitiveness Compass focuses on strengthening the EU's global competitiveness, the Climate Mitigation Projects aim to address climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting sustainability. More specifically, the EU Competitiveness Compass is a strategic tool developed by the European Commission to evaluate and track the EU's global competitiveness across key sectors. The goal is to ensure that the EU maintains and enhances its competitive edge in the global economy while meeting its climate goals. It is a part of the European Union’s broader economic and industrial policy to align competitiveness with sustainability. The EU Competitive Compass promotes innovation and digitalization acro...