[B-0]22268[B-1]
[B-2]The President of the Ecologists H. Theopeptou What he said in plenary on Budget 2022[B-3]
[B-4]One of the decisions taken in Glasgow that will affect us greatly if we continue not to take action is the reduction of methane emissions, said the President of the Ecologists' Movement - Citizens' Co-operation, Haralambos Theopeptou.[B-5][B-6]Speaking on the sidelines of the debate on the 2022 Budget, Theopeptou said that in Cyprus methane emissions come from the fact that we bury organic matter such as prunings and kitchen scraps, despite the fact that we took responsibility by 2016 to manage 65% of this waste.[B-7][B-8]The changes towards the Pay What I Throw system, he continued, will help us to have good quality organic waste separated from citizens and in this way the situation with the unacceptable ODS plants in Kosi and Pentakomo will also improve.[B-9][B-10] Theopeptou also referred to the Aarhus Convention which, he noted, links environmental protection with human rights on the basis that sustainable development can only be achieved with the participation of all citizens and governments.[B-11][B-12]"It is not only that we violate the convention, it is not only that Cypriot citizens do not enjoy the rights granted to them by the EU, but the lack of public consultation also creates problems in the functioning of the Parliament where, for example, bills arrive and then people come and complain that they were not consulted," he added.[B-13][B-14]Regarding the ability of NGOs to challenge in court decisions and policies of the state, we have seen in recent years very successful lawsuits by NGOs in other European countries, he said that we will soon see the new NGO that will be set up in Cyprus, specifically and only to complain about violations in Cypriot courts and in the EU.[B-15][B-16]He said that we are not taking measures to improve air quality although based on our own measurements the European Environment Agency estimates 600 to 800 premature deaths in Cyprus.[B-17]
[B-18]The most serious measure, he noted, is to reduce the number of cars in Cypriot cities, not only to improve air quality but also to achieve the goals we have undertaken as a state regarding climate change.[B-19][B-20]He also mentioned that we have not declared low-pollution areas to protect residential areas.[B-21][B-22]The promotion of public transport, Mr. Theopeptou will also improve air quality and this will result in a reduction in GHS costs.[B-23][B-24]"Prevention of problems through healthy eating, exercise, combating smoking, sugar, alcohol and other substances should be the main goal of the GHS because an improved level of people's health automatically means reduced GHS costs."[B-23][B-24][B-24]"The prevention of problems through healthy eating, exercise, combating smoking, sugar, alcohol and other substances should be the main goal of the GHS because an improved level of people's health automatically means reduced GHS costs. We should have had constant media campaigns, our personal physician should have taken it upon himself to push us for more exercise, proper nutrition and whatever else medicine recommends for a better level of health," he added.[B-25][B-26]He said that at this time environmental issues are high on the EU agenda and the Green Deal framework and all the information on the policy known as Fit for 55 has already been announced.[B-27][B-28]"If the country is not prepared for timely implementation of the above then we will all be in a very, very difficult position. The policy known as Fit for 55, contains 13 policy measures with a 40% emission reduction target by 2030, i.e. in 9 years", he noted.[B-29][B-30] In Cyprus, he said, when they talk about energy policy, they automatically focus on natural gas and start talking about pipelines, the problems with Turkey etc. While a proper energy policy should be based on certain scientific rules and practices as defined also by the EU and simple logic.[B-31][B-32]The first and most important thing, he said, is to take measures to reduce energy demand with more efficient use.[B-33][B-34]"The best example for us is energy consumption in buildings. In a country where we had no rules on the energy efficiency of buildings until 2008 we ended up with a population with twice the energy poverty rate of the EU average. Simply put, many people cannot keep their homes warm in winter. So something that should have been done years ago is to give people an incentive to upgrade the energy efficiency of their homes with insulation, double glazing, double glazing, etc."[B-35][B-36] Another important aspect of an energy policy, he continued, is the promotion of Renewable Energy Sources (RES).[B-37][B-38]"Apart from having targets to achieve, allowing households to generate their own energy would help many people economically since they would almost zero their electricity costs or even be able to heat their home almost for free by correctly sizing the photovoltaic system," he said.[B-39][B-40]Another important issue of energy policy, he continued, is that of energy in transport.[B-39][B-40]Another important issue of energy policy, he continued, is that of energy in transport. "And here, of course, we did not do well with the EU targets for renewables in transport, which should have been 10%, and we stayed at about half that. That is why when the government starts buying emission allowances, spending tens of millions every year, you will see the increase in the price of fuel," he noted.[B-41][B-42]Source: CNA[B-43][B-43]
[B-44]Contents of this article including associated images are belongs [B-45]Cyprus Times[B-46]
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or [B-47]Cyprus Times[B-48][B-49]
[B-50]Source[B-51]
[B-2]The President of the Ecologists H. Theopeptou What he said in plenary on Budget 2022[B-3]
[B-4]One of the decisions taken in Glasgow that will affect us greatly if we continue not to take action is the reduction of methane emissions, said the President of the Ecologists' Movement - Citizens' Co-operation, Haralambos Theopeptou.[B-5][B-6]Speaking on the sidelines of the debate on the 2022 Budget, Theopeptou said that in Cyprus methane emissions come from the fact that we bury organic matter such as prunings and kitchen scraps, despite the fact that we took responsibility by 2016 to manage 65% of this waste.[B-7][B-8]The changes towards the Pay What I Throw system, he continued, will help us to have good quality organic waste separated from citizens and in this way the situation with the unacceptable ODS plants in Kosi and Pentakomo will also improve.[B-9][B-10] Theopeptou also referred to the Aarhus Convention which, he noted, links environmental protection with human rights on the basis that sustainable development can only be achieved with the participation of all citizens and governments.[B-11][B-12]"It is not only that we violate the convention, it is not only that Cypriot citizens do not enjoy the rights granted to them by the EU, but the lack of public consultation also creates problems in the functioning of the Parliament where, for example, bills arrive and then people come and complain that they were not consulted," he added.[B-13][B-14]Regarding the ability of NGOs to challenge in court decisions and policies of the state, we have seen in recent years very successful lawsuits by NGOs in other European countries, he said that we will soon see the new NGO that will be set up in Cyprus, specifically and only to complain about violations in Cypriot courts and in the EU.[B-15][B-16]He said that we are not taking measures to improve air quality although based on our own measurements the European Environment Agency estimates 600 to 800 premature deaths in Cyprus.[B-17]
[B-18]The most serious measure, he noted, is to reduce the number of cars in Cypriot cities, not only to improve air quality but also to achieve the goals we have undertaken as a state regarding climate change.[B-19][B-20]He also mentioned that we have not declared low-pollution areas to protect residential areas.[B-21][B-22]The promotion of public transport, Mr. Theopeptou will also improve air quality and this will result in a reduction in GHS costs.[B-23][B-24]"Prevention of problems through healthy eating, exercise, combating smoking, sugar, alcohol and other substances should be the main goal of the GHS because an improved level of people's health automatically means reduced GHS costs."[B-23][B-24][B-24]"The prevention of problems through healthy eating, exercise, combating smoking, sugar, alcohol and other substances should be the main goal of the GHS because an improved level of people's health automatically means reduced GHS costs. We should have had constant media campaigns, our personal physician should have taken it upon himself to push us for more exercise, proper nutrition and whatever else medicine recommends for a better level of health," he added.[B-25][B-26]He said that at this time environmental issues are high on the EU agenda and the Green Deal framework and all the information on the policy known as Fit for 55 has already been announced.[B-27][B-28]"If the country is not prepared for timely implementation of the above then we will all be in a very, very difficult position. The policy known as Fit for 55, contains 13 policy measures with a 40% emission reduction target by 2030, i.e. in 9 years", he noted.[B-29][B-30] In Cyprus, he said, when they talk about energy policy, they automatically focus on natural gas and start talking about pipelines, the problems with Turkey etc. While a proper energy policy should be based on certain scientific rules and practices as defined also by the EU and simple logic.[B-31][B-32]The first and most important thing, he said, is to take measures to reduce energy demand with more efficient use.[B-33][B-34]"The best example for us is energy consumption in buildings. In a country where we had no rules on the energy efficiency of buildings until 2008 we ended up with a population with twice the energy poverty rate of the EU average. Simply put, many people cannot keep their homes warm in winter. So something that should have been done years ago is to give people an incentive to upgrade the energy efficiency of their homes with insulation, double glazing, double glazing, etc."[B-35][B-36] Another important aspect of an energy policy, he continued, is the promotion of Renewable Energy Sources (RES).[B-37][B-38]"Apart from having targets to achieve, allowing households to generate their own energy would help many people economically since they would almost zero their electricity costs or even be able to heat their home almost for free by correctly sizing the photovoltaic system," he said.[B-39][B-40]Another important issue of energy policy, he continued, is that of energy in transport.[B-39][B-40]Another important issue of energy policy, he continued, is that of energy in transport. "And here, of course, we did not do well with the EU targets for renewables in transport, which should have been 10%, and we stayed at about half that. That is why when the government starts buying emission allowances, spending tens of millions every year, you will see the increase in the price of fuel," he noted.[B-41][B-42]Source: CNA[B-43][B-43]
[B-44]Contents of this article including associated images are belongs [B-45]Cyprus Times[B-46]
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or [B-47]Cyprus Times[B-48][B-49]
[B-50]Source[B-51]
