Filenews 30 December 2024 - by Angelos Nicolaou
Cyprus is already facing significant impacts due to climate change, which are expected to intensify in the future, according to the findings of the risk assessment, which was the key stage for the revision of the National Strategy for Adaptation to Climate Change in Cyprus, launched by the Department of Environment.
The revision work started in 2023 with the collaboration of international and local experts and is being implemented with funding from the European Union. Impacts that become more evident with changes in temperature, increasing the risk of extinction of endemic and vulnerable species, the spread of infectious diseases, and even affecting agriculture, human consumption and the ecosystem.
The revised strategy includes a detailed climate risk and vulnerability assessment, which highlighted the main climate risks in 15 sectors such as agriculture, biodiversity, cultural heritage, public health, water management, tourism, infrastructure and energy.
These areas include: 1. Agriculture, 2. Biodiversity and Ecosystems 3. Cultural Heritage 4. Disaster Risk Management, Civil Protection and Critical Infrastructure 5. Economy, Industry and Finance 6. Energy 7. Fisheries and Aquaculture 8. Forests 9. Health 10. Hydrological Status and Water Management 11. Marine and Coastal Areas 12. Spatial Planning 13. Soil 14. Tourism 15. Transport, Infrastructure and Buildings
Based on the findings of the work done so far, Cyprus is already facing significant climate impacts such as rising temperatures, prolonged periods of drought, increasing frequency of fires and erosion of coastal areas.
The revised strategy proposes to include targeted adaptation measures for each sector, strengthening the country's resilience and addressing the impacts of climate change. Some of the main measures include:
Agriculture: Use of reclaimed water for irrigation and pilot projects of desalination with renewable energy sources.
Biodiversity: Creation of databases to monitor species and protect habitats, as well as protect forests from fires.
Cultural Heritage: Strengthening the protection of historical monuments from extreme weather events and developing conservation and monitoring plans.
Water Management: Development of reclaimed water distribution networks in areas with intense agricultural activity and desalination with renewable sources.
Public Health: Establishment of early warning systems for citizens for extreme weather events, such as heat waves, floods and fire.
Tourism: Protection of coastal areas from erosion and management of environmental risks, aiming at the sustainability of tourism infrastructure.
Infrastructure: Resilience of buildings and infrastructure through design that protects against extreme events, as well as investments in innovative technologies for materials and structures that withstand climate pressures.
The revised strategy will include a specific National Action Plan with defined indicators, monitoring and evaluation systems, ensuring that progress will be regularly monitored and adjusted as needed. Progress reports are scheduled to be published every two years and the strategy will be evaluated every six years.
The implementation of the measures is proposed to be supported by multi-level sources of funding, such as European funds, the national budget and private investments. Private sector involvement and the use of green financing tools are key elements for the sustainability of the strategy.
With the revised National Strategy for Adaptation to Climate Change, Cyprus invests in a resilient and sustainable path towards the future, enhancing the protection of its natural resources and ensuring the prosperity of its citizens and economy.
As part of the review process, a public consultation will take place on 18/2/2025 which will last one month. After its final formation, it will be sent for approval by the Council of Ministers.
The final text, which will come out for public consultation, is expected to include the measures proposed by the District Local Government Organizations (EDA), mainly for flood protection and water losses.
Targeted measures to achieve resilience
The first National Strategy for Adaptation to Climate Change in Cyprus was approved in 2017 by the Council of Ministers, coordinated and under the responsibility of the Department of Environment of the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment. This strategy was the first framework for the country's adaptation to the effects of climate change, focusing on strengthening the resilience of different sectors and harmonizing with the then European Strategy on Adaptation to Climate Change of 2013.
The revision of the strategy is in line with the updated 2021 European Strategy, which emphasises a "smarter, faster and more systematic" approach and sets a target for the EU's climate resilience by 2050. The new EU strategy focuses on strengthening knowledge and monitoring of climate impacts, financing adaptive actions and strengthening governance. Cyprus, with this revision, adopts a cross-sectoral approach that responds to EU directions, setting targets to achieve resilience through targeted measures.
The main sources of funding for the National Strategy
The financing of the National Adjustment Strategy is critical to its success and relies on multi-layered sources, focusing on ensuring sustainable financial resources for the coming years.
European Funds and Programmes: The strategy builds on European Union programmes, such as funds from the European Cohesion Fund, the Recovery and Resilience Fund and the LIFE programme, which support climate change adaptation and mitigation measures.
National Budget: The Ministry of Finance, in cooperation with the Ministry of Finance, has provided for the financing of certain measures from the national budget in order to cover urgent and basic needs, especially in sectors with high climate vulnerability, such as water supply and agriculture.
Private Investment and Innovative Financial Instruments: The use of public-private partnership (PPP) mechanisms is also foreseen, as well as the use of private capital to finance infrastructure, especially in projects such as desalination using renewable energy sources. Innovative solutions such as green finance mechanisms (green bonds) and special loans for sustainable investments are also being considered.
Incentives and Grants for Private Initiatives: There are also incentives for farmers, entrepreneurs and communities to participate in adaptation projects, such as the use of recycled water or the creation of resilient buildings, thus enhancing the involvement of the private sector in tackling climate change.
