GEORGE KREMLIS - HONORARY DIRECTOR OF THE DIRECTORATE-GENERAL FOR THE ENVIRONMENT OF THE EC, WILL BE AWARDED THE HONORARY TITLE OF DOCTOR HONORIS CAUSA OF VFU "CHERNORIZETS HRABER"

10 November 2023

Varna Free University "Chernorizets Hrabar" will award George Kremlis - Honorary Director of the Directorate-General for the Environment of the European Commission, with the honorary title Doctor Honoris Causa of VFU "Chernorizets Hrabar". The solemn ceremony will take place on November 14 in the Aula Maxima Hall at the university.
Varna Free University awards the honorary title by decision of the Academic Council for the commitment, personal support and participation of George Kremlis in the development of a new educational project - the master's degree programme in Circular Economy, as well as for his significant contribution to creating an environment that stimulates the values of sustainable development and application of the circular economy model.
The master's degree programme in Circular Economy at VFU 'Chernorizets Hrabar' was the first of its kind in the European Union. It is held under the patronage of the Directorate-General for the Environment of the European Commission. Two classes of students graduated from; they developed and presented real projects to realize the ambitions of the Green Deal for a digital and environmentally friendly economy. The campaign for the admission of the third class of students in the master's degree programme in Circular Economy is active again.
The attitude towards the environment is a key priority and responsibility of VFU "Chernorizets Hrabar". The university changes both the environment and attitude by meeting the highest standards of sustainability based on scientific, educational, economic, environmental and social criteria. Varna Free University is a leader in circular economy education. In the academic profile, a full cycle of educational products on the issue is implemented - from courses for additional qualification to a sustainably developing master's programme and its upgrade to an educational and scientific degree "doctor". This scientific degree was defended at the end of 2022 by Dr. Rumen Pehlivanov - Mayor of Rudozem Municipality. Topics related to climate change and the green transition are represented in the bachelor's and master's programmes in Economics, Public Administration and Management, Business Administration and Management, Architecture, etc.

Varna Free University also became the first higher education institution in Bulgaria certified according to the international standard ISO 14001:2015 for environmental management.

George Kremlis

VFU "Chernorizets Hrabar", archive 2022
George Kremlis is the chairperson of the Greek initiative at the United Nations level for the protection of cultural and natural heritage from the effects of climate change. He is a member of the Board of the European Public Law Organization and chairperson to its Climate and Circular Economy Institute. He is a member of the Environmental and Social Advisory Board of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and is currently chairperson of the Bureau of the Espoo Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context.
George Kremlis is Honorary Director of the Directorate-General for the Environment of the European Commission. He is the chairperson of AmCham's Circular Economy Committee and an advisor to the Environment Committee of the Greek Parliament. Until recently, he was a special advisor to the Greek Prime Minister on energy, climate, environment and circular economy issues.
He is a guest lecturer at a number of universities in Greece and abroad, especially in postgraduate studies. Author of a large number of different publications in English, French and Greek, including books and articles on EU policy and law, in particular institutional law, business law, competition law, private international law, environmental law, and comparative law.