**1. Introduction**

The development of remote sensing technologies, has led to numerous applications in several sectors. Remote sensing "provides tools for gathering data and solving real world problems1". Especially in the field of environmental monitoring, the development of remote sensing technologies has been proven more than crucial, as it enables the collection of a wealth of data for Earth's current and future state, affecting directly the decision making process as well as the environmental law enforcement sector (Mertikas et al. 2021). However, the transformation of collected data into useful information in the scope of environmental law, raises new challenges, such as their interference with the rights of privacy and personal data (Coffer 2020; Santos and Rapp 2019; Finn and Wright 2016; Sandbrook 2015; Doldirina 2014; Purdy 2011). Although it has become common knowledge that environmental problems have a global impact, calling thus for global action, nations still have their own role in legislation and regulation. In this sense, embracing new technologies such as remote sensing technologies in the case of Greece responds not only to Article 37 of EU Charter of Fundamental Rights<sup>2</sup> but also to the need of protection of a—in Greece constitutionally anchored—right and a public good and interest for environmental protection (Article 24 of the Greek Constitution). At the same time, key questions arise: is

<sup>1</sup> Available online: http://gsp.humboldt.edu/OLM/Courses/GSP\_216\_Online/lesson8-2/future.html (accessed on 5 April 2021).

<sup>2</sup> Article 37 of EU Charter of Fundamental Rights: "A high level of environmental protection and the improvement of the quality of the environment must be integrated into the policies of the Union and ensured in accordance with the principle of sustainable development".

the protection of privacy and personal data a normative restriction thereof and vice versa? How could a fair and balanced reconciliation of all rights be achieved? Does the law provide the instruments for striking this balance? What is the role of the existing ECtHR and CJEU case law for such an interpretation? Further, what is more: does national legislation play a role for a successful regulation? The paper is structured in four parts, as follows: in the first part, the importance of remote sensing technologies as tools for environmental monitoring and environmental law enforcement is analyzed. In the second part, legal issues regarding privacy and data protection from the use of remote sensing technologies for environmental purposes are presented. In the third part, existing legislation for reconciling emerging conflicts from the application of remote sensing technologies between the right for a high level of environmental protection and the rights for privacy and personal data protection is examined. In addition, major ECtHR and CJEU case law on the issue is approached focusing on the application of the principle of proportionality. In the fourth part, recent developments in Greek legislation and their application perspectives in environmental law are presented as a timely "case study". Greece, one of the oldest members of EU, with 80% of its surface belonging to mountainous areas and with thousands of islands, faces difficulties in the collection of data for its territory. As a result, the use of remote sensing technologies in Greece seems inevitable and therefore this country may become an excellent example for studying emerging challenges from the application of remote sensing technologies in the environmental sector.
