Vicky Karagiorgou

Vasiliki (Vicky) Karageorgou was born in Larissa in November 1972. She studied Law at the School of Law of the Aristoteles University of Thessaloniki (1990-1994) and then continued her studies at School of Law of the University of Cologne (Germany), where she gained her Master’s Degree in Public Law with the note “summa cum laude” (excellent) (1995-1997)being awarded a scholarship by the Federal State of Nordrhein-Westfallen.

Ιn February 2002 she was awarded the Doctor of Law Degree by the University of Cologne with the note “magna cum laude”. The theme of her dissertation in the field of European Environmental Law was the following: “The regulative law for environmental protection: Effectiveness potential-limits of effectiveness potential and prospects for future development-presented on the example of the Federal law for protection from immissions” (original title: Das Umweltordnungsrecht-Leistungsfähigkeit, Leistungsgrenzen und Entwicklungsperspektiven- dargestellt am Beispiel des Immissionschutzrechts). The dissertation was published by “Nomos Verlag” in the series “Frankfurter Studien zum Umweltrecht” in 2003.

Work Experience

April 2004 – present : Legal Expert on environmental and energy law.

Specific Fields of work as a Legal Expert :

1. Cooperation with the Athens - based Law Firm N. Kanellopoulos / S. Manolkidis (Omirou 34, 10672 Athens, Greece) on issues concerning environmental law and emissions trading

2. Working on a project basis as a legal consultant to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) - Mediterranean Action Plan (specific focus on the development of the new reporting system of the Barcelona Convention and providing legal assistance to countries for the process of ratification of the Barcelona Convention and its Protocols). The following legal studies have been undertaken, inter alia, on behalf of UNEP-MAP: a) “Comparative Legal Study on the reporting of the Barcelona Convention and various MEAs and relevant EU Directives” b) Comparative Study concerning the legal framework of the Barcelona Convention and its Protocols and the relevant European legislation. (These studies are available, if requested)

3. Cooperating with other distinguished colleagues for the preparation of legal studies and opinions on behalf of the Hellenic Association of the Producers of Electricity from Renewable Energy Sources. The subjects of the two main studies were the following: a) The International and European commitments for the promotion of renewable energy sources in Greece, b) Critical Assessment of the existing legal framework for the renewable energy sources in Greece

4. Participation in a project financed by the Hellenic Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the framework of the Hellenic Development assistance with title “Hellenic-Serbian Cooperation on Environmental Institution Building”. My contribution was related to the use of economic instruments for environmental protection in Greece.

June 2005 – present : Senior Investigator in the Greek Ombudsman

[ Department for Quality of Life and Environmental Protection ]

February 2006 – present : Teaching Assistant at the Panteion University

[ Faculty of International and European Affairs (Topics : International Trade and the Environment, UN Initiatives for Sustainable Development, European Environmental Law) ]

11/2001 – February 2004 : Special advisor to the Greek Deputy Minister for Environment

[ Special focus on issues concerning International and European Environmental Law and Sustainable Development Law :

1. Contribution to the transposition, implementation and interpretation of European Environmental Law and to the ratification procedures of important MEAs .

2. Member of the interministerial expert team for the Hellenic Presidency

3. Member of various organizational and negotiating groups & committees ]

Scientific and Research activities

Participation in many conferences in the field of International, European and National Environmental Law. Topics of research:

o law for water management and protection (the Water Framework and its transposition in the Hellenic legal system),

o economic instruments for environmental protection,

o climate change and renewable energy sources,

o legal framework for the protection of the marine environment and for integrated coastal zone management,

o environmental governance,

o institutional structures for implementing environmental legislation.

The full list of publications (over twenty) is available, if requested.

She is Member of IUCN Environmental Law Commission

Participation in International Summits and Councils

- Euro Mediterranean Ministerial Conference on Environment , 8-10 July 2002, Athens (Member of the Organization Committee of the Euro Mediterranean Conference).

- World Summit on Sustainable Development (Member of the Greek delegation).

- Participation in a Round Table organized by The Economic Commission for Europe (ECE), for the implementation of National Sustainable Development Strategies in ECE Region as representative from Greece (Presenting the Greek Strategy for Sustainable Development)

- 3rd World Water Forum (16-23 /03/2003 Kyoto Japan)

- 11th session of the Committee for Sustainable Development - United Nations(28-30/04/2003)