DISY President Averof Neophytou referred to the vision of the green transition and the path that Cyprus is called upon to follow towards it, in the context of the discussion organized for the 5th Pre-Congress of the Democratic Rally, ahead of the party's Political - Ideological Congress in June.
The pre-conference debate was held on Monday afternoon at the Spyros Kyprianou Park in Aglantzia, where dozens of people attended, including DISY and government officials, as well as local government representatives. The discussion was introduced by the Executive Director of the Glaucos Clerides Institute, Michael Sofokleous, who pointed out that the green transition touches every aspect of society and together with the digital transition creates a new way of life.
The discussion was opened by DISY President Averof Neophytou, who referred to six axes that will constitute initiatives for the implementation of the green transition in Cyprus. Neophytou expressed his pleasure for the fact that the pre-conference was held in the green park.
The DISY President pointed out that the green transition constitutes an evolution of the country's productive background, "so that the economy can step more firmly and reach even higher", as he said, explaining that DISY will "propose a renewed plan of agreement with all citizens... on how to go to a more competitive economy and a more cohesive society in the long run".
He referred to the concept of sustainability, which he explained is linked both to the facilitation of the citizen's daily life, and to tackling climate change, as well as to the adoption of a transparent standard of operation in public life.
Key elements of the green transition, as Mr. Neophytou, are on the one hand the circular economy, which will reduce the pressure on natural resources and is a prerequisite for the European goal of climate neutrality in 2050, and on the other hand energy autonomy, since the new realities of geopolitics and the energy market require from Cyprus and Europe independence and diversification in energy resources.
He then spoke about the importance of the European Green Deal for the achievement of the above objectives, as well as the Resilience and Development Fund and the targeted In this direction, he said, the government's Plan "Cyprus Tomorrow" is moving in this direction, noting that "the budget provides for a 10% increase in development expenditure compared to last year and an indicative expenditure of 717 million euros for green growth."
He stressed that despite the three successive crises that Cyprus has faced, steps have been taken in this direction and added that through the crises opportunities arise. "Through the management of the economic crisis, we have extensively reformed the state and the economy. Through the management of the health crisis, we extensively reformed health," Neophytou said, adding that "through the management of the new geopolitical crisis, which is both an energy and food crisis, it is our opportunity to make Cyprus a model of a healthy green state."
As he said, initiatives are needed in six axes, concerning smart cities, smart transport, the new generation of contributory recycling, the new energy market, the decentralisation of energy and the Green Transition of the State, Economy and Enterprises, stressing that "on the model of the creation of the Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy, we should also have a central Green Transition Body".
In conclusion, the President of DISY said that the same formula followed by the Anastasiades government needs to be continued, so that the reform course is not threatened. He noted that "the Green Tax should be postponed for as long as inflationary trends last," which he said is the position that DISY advocates in Europe, with a proposal to temporarily replace the tax with incentives for energy saving. "Our debate today is important, it will pave the way to tomorrow, the next day of Cyprus and will enrich our Programme, which will adopt the best ideas of the pre-conference Dialogue," he concluded.
The discussion continued with Professor and President of the European Scientific Association of Environmental Economists, Phoebe Kountouri and the Director of the European Commission and Advisor to the Greek Prime Minister on environmental and circular economy issues, George Kremli, who analysed the way in which the successive crises experienced by the planet are also linked to climate change, as well as the mechanisms through which green growth can provide answers to these challenges.
Source:CNA
Contents of this article including associated images are belongs Cyprus Times
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or Cyprus Times
Source
