I would like to thank you for your invitation to attend and welcome today's Conference, which will address a very big chapter of the modern era, the green transition combined with entrepreneurship. I am sure that the presentation at the Conference of the effort and progress made at national level towards achieving the goals of the green transition and sustainable development, as well as the challenges and opportunities offered in all sectors, will be very enlightening and helpful for the next steps. The European Green Deal aims to combat climate change and achieve our environmental objectives, while creating the necessary conditions and conditions for the economic, social and environmentally sustainable development of our country and the well-being of our citizens.
Our ambition is to evolve our economic model to move towards a modern, circular and competitive economy with zero net greenhouse gas emissions. But this goal will only be achieved if this transition is implemented with the active participation and involvement of all stakeholders contributing to the state's economy, including the private sector, businesses and professional associations, NGOs, the academic sector and civil society. In particular, the empowerment of the private sector in the areas of green entrepreneurship is of utmost importance. By making use of the financial funds and the innovative green tools and methods offered, businesses in our country are given the opportunity to make targeted green investments for the protection of the environment.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment implements coherent policies and measures that horizontally penetrate economic activities and which aim at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to climate change, the proper management of liquid and solid waste, the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and the adaptation to climate change. Our Ministry also makes maximum use of the mechanisms, tools and financial allocations offered by the European Commission to intensify action to protect the environment and accelerate the country's transition towards climate neutrality.
The shift towards energy saving and renewable energy sources is an essential step towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The continued burning of fossil fuels has caused greenhouse gas concentrations to rise to record levels, resulting in rising sea levels, more frequent extreme weather events and loss of habitats and ecosystems.
Cyprus has set various targets for increasing the use of renewable energy sources and reducing energy consumption. These targets are important not only for the economic development and energy security of our country, but also for the sustainability of our planet.
In this context, the State has developed the National Energy and Climate Plan, which sets ambitious targets for all economic sectors of the country. A significant number of measures in the Plan relate to improving energy efficiency and promoting the use of renewable energy sources. The National Energy and Climate Plan sets quantified and costed energy and climate targets for 2030, which will contribute to a 40% reduction at European level of greenhouse gas emissions compared to 1990 emissions. The assessment of the measures and policies incorporated has been calculated with a national ambition to contribute to a 24% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to 2005, taking into account social, economic, technical and environmental criteria of the Cypriot real economy. The implementation of the principles of the circular economy in all sectors of the economy and industry will play a central role in the protection of the environment, the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and the rational management of waste.
The proper management of municipal waste is an important pillar of the circular economy. The main objective of the State is the gradual transition to the circular economy on the basis of the European targets to increase the preparation for reuse and recycling of municipal waste to 55% by 2025, 60% by 2030 and 65% by 2035, and to reduce the quantities going to landfills to 10%.
Through the Municipal Waste Management Plan 2022-2028, important projects are being implemented to promote source separation and separate collection of recyclable and organic waste. These include projects under the Structural Funds such as the support programme for the implementation of source sorting and separate collection systems for municipal solid waste, through the promotion of "Pay as I Spend" in municipalities and communities, with a total budget of €25 million. At the same time, additional projects are being promoted, such as the programme for the prevention, separate collection and recovery of municipal waste from mountainous and semi-mountainous Cyprus and the programme for the reduction of municipal solid waste from seaside hotels and other mass waste production sites. The Plan includes measures and actions for the development of the circular economy in Cyprus, the provision of effective incentives to the business community for investment and promotes the circular design of production processes and products. The main objective is to transform the economy, industry, businesses and the waste management sector on the basis of the principles of the circular economy.
Furthermore, the efficient management of water resources is crucial for the sustainability and development of the country. Cyprus is ranked as the water-poorest country in the European Union. Its water needs are several times greater than the capacity of its natural water resources, which depend solely on rainfall. Moreover, climate change has already affected our region and rainfall has decreased significantly, with more than 40% reduction in surface water runoff.
In the framework of the policy for sustainable development, protection and management of water resources and the implementation of the European acquis, important projects are being implemented in the sectors of water supply, irrigation, sanitation and recycled water.
In order to address the problem and improve the reliability of water sources for domestic and irrigation uses, the optimal use of unconventional water resources, such as desalination and water reuse, is being promoted, while efforts are being made, through research and development, to integrate renewable energy sources in the production of desalinated water. Water reuse provides important drought protection and reduces the dependence of water supply on weather conditions and contributes to the country's strategic objectives in terms of climate change adaptation and risk prevention, water balance management and circular economy.
Finally, I would like to mention that the Ministry has included in the Recovery and Resilience Plan projects that will contribute significantly to the adoption of technological infrastructure in the water sector.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Cyprus' policy for a green transition through energy saving, the use of renewable energy sources and sound waste management is based on a solid foundation of long-term planning, ambitious targets and a range of measures and policies to promote sustainable energy and environmental practices. Through the proper implementation of these strategies and plans, the country will move towards a sustainable, low-carbon future, and it is incumbent on all of us to work towards achieving these goals for the benefit of our planet and future generations.
In conclusion, I would like to express my congratulations to the Federation of Employers and Industrialists, Top Kinisis Conferences and Events and the Cyprus Energy Office for organising the Conference, as well as to the ETEK for supporting this type of event, and to thank you for this initiative, which will contribute substantially to the transition to a sustainable, green economy.
Thank you.
(MKE)
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