President Nicos Christodoulides on Thursday reaffirmed Cyprus unwavering commitment to combatting climate change, underlining the urgency of taking proactive measures to address this global crisis.
Addressing a conference held at Nicosia’s Filoxenia and organised by the deputy ministry of tourism on the effects of climate change, he outlined a series of actions, reflecting the governments approach to mitigating the effects of climate change.
Climate change is no longer a remote threat, it is a reality that we must confront,” Christodoulides said at the start of his opening speech.
Cyprus, an island nation with a thriving tourism industry, is particularly susceptible to the impacts of climate change.
“We must act decisively.
One of the primary initiatives highlighted by the president is the governments commitment to increasing energy production from renewable sources.
We are determined to reduce our carbon footprint, Christodoulides said. Our efforts include modifications to the plan for the production of electricity from renewable energy sources, and I am pleased to announce that further actions on this matter following our Council of Ministers meeting will be announced soon.
The president explained that these will not only contribute to environmental sustainability, but also help in reducing the cost of electricity and boosting the share of renewable energy in Cyprus’ energy mix.
Addressing the issue of air pollution, Christodoulides admitted that more needs to be done.
We recognise the pressing need to address this issue, which significantly affects our daily lives. Among our initiatives is the promotion of public transportation, he said.
The recent decision to provide free bus rides from GSP stadium to heart of Nicosia was initially met with scepticism, but Christodoulides expressed his satisfaction at the publics swift embrace of the initiative.
Today, all the buses are brimming with passengers, and we are already discussing plans to expand this service to Limassol and subsequently to all cities, he said.
Christodoulides then noted the heightened concern about climate change among the younger generation.
During my recent pre-election campaign, I had the opportunity to engage with many people, and I observed that the issue of the environment and climate change rarely surfaced in discussions with individuals aged 40 and older.
“However, it was a prevalent concern among the youth, those under 25 years old.
Acknowledging the paramount role of the tourism sector in Cyprus economy, Christodoulides emphasised the governments commitment to ensuring its resilience to the impacts of climate change.
‘These efforts will be integrated into the National Tourism Strategy,” he confirmed.
In conclusion, he vouched for the governments dedication to safeguarding Cyprus “enviable climate and natural beauty while facing the imminent threat of climate change”.
Cyprus is determined to take the lead in facing the climate crisis head-on. We are committed to preserving our nations beauty and resilience against this global threat,” Christodoulides concluded.
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