-
.
- Ελληνικά
It was with great pleasure that I accepted the invitation to participate in the press conference for the presentation of the energy upgrade of the first 5 schools in the framework of the "PEDIA" project. A project that combines the protection and preservation of the environment through energy upgrades, focuses on ensuring quality teaching conditions while fostering environmental awareness through education.
I am also very pleased to see the school buildings being upgraded with holistic and science-based approaches that are designed to serve the users of the buildings themselves - the students and teachers.
Upgrades that, first and foremost, ensure the thermal protection of buildings, providing winter and summer comfort, quality lighting and air, sound insulation and, in general, a higher quality learning environment and an enhanced learning process.
The promotion of energy efficiency and the development of related innovative solutions in schools contribute significantly to wider environmental goals, in line with our national Energy and Climate Strategy.
Reducing energy consumption means fewer emissions of greenhouse gases and other pollutants, reduces our dependence on fossil fuels, lowers operating costs and achieves a shrinking environmental footprint.
The adoption of such sustainable practices, particularly in environments such as schools, highlights the benefits of implementing them in the community, and these practices can be an inspiration for households and businesses to follow. This is something that as public schools and as public buildings, we have an obligation to do, namely to implement good practices and set examples to society.
This chain effect will create a more environmentally conscious society and, at the same time, actively reinforces the goals for the green transition - because sustainable development and the green transition are not abstract concepts. They involve a series of steps, such as using renewable energy sources, saving energy and water, implementing practices that protect the environment and reduce harmful impacts on nature, encouraging avoidance, reuse and recycling, and minimising and managing waste sustainably, avoiding the depletion of natural resources, developing innovative technologies, protecting biodiversity, and much more, which can lead us to a society that has integrated the principles of sustainability and environmental responsibility in all areas of life, for a better future.
The "PEDIA" project is undoubtedly an innovative project, a project for sustainability and the environment in the school environment, about which the project coordinator and Director of the Cyprus Energy Office, Mr. Savvas Vlachos, with whom I maintain close cooperation since I am also a member of the Management Office since its establishment in 2009 and from 10/01/2024 from my position as Commissioner for the Environment.
I congratulate the Energy Office for conceiving and implementing the idea of the "PEDIA" project, for its dedication in achieving its objectives, as well as for the partnerships it develops with the Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth, as well as with other institutions in Cyprus and abroad.
Congratulations are also due to the Environment and Sustainable Development Education Unit of the Ministry of Environment and Development for its contribution to the project and for the capitalisation of its results for the enhancement of environmental education. Congratulations, of course, to the Technical Services of the CFCA for warmly supporting and adopting these approaches so that today we have the first energy upgrades of schools in Near Zero Energy Buildings.
I wish every success and optimal results in the continuation of the project for the upgrades of 20 more schools, which, together with the 5 already completed, are expected to provide useful data and feedback to the CFCA for its future plans.
I wish every success and optimal results in the continuation of the project for the upgrades of 20 more schools, which, together with the 5 already completed, are expected to provide useful data and feedback to the CFCA for its future plans.
I wish every success and optimal results in the continuation of the project for the upgrades of 20 more schools, which, together with the 5 already completed, are expected to provide useful data and feedback to the CFCA.
The Office of the Environment Commissioner, and I personally, will be a supporter of any initiative and action that aims to make small or large changes to protect the environment that will benefit all of us, society and our planet.
Thank you.
(ASP)
Contents of this article including associated images are owned by PIO
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or PIO
Source
