Cyprus' Long-term Low GHG Emission Development Strategy.

This Long-Term Low Greenhouse Gas emission (GHG) Development Strategy represents the country's participation in the collective European goal of a successful and sustainable transition to a climate-neutral economy by 2050. The Strategy illustrates the government’s commitment to participate proportionately in the path towards a climate-neutral economy at EU level and to contribute to the European Green Deal promoted by the European Commission. This Strategy follows the content and the outcomes of the National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP), in order to investigate the optimal policies and measures towards the year 2050 for the achievement of specific climate goals, and emissions reduction. The Strategy identifies the following benefits of transitioning to a climate-neutral economy with net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050: reforming the country’s economy towards clean and modern technologies, in order to strengthen circular economy; mitigating the effects of climate change and promoting a sustainable economy, thus increasing productivity and a highly energy efficient and highly renewables-based economy; enhancing the competitiveness of the economy and industry, through research and innovation, high quality job and sustainable growth, in line with the realisation of a sustainable future for all.
The Strategy provides for an overview of the National and European legal framework under which the Strategy has been defined, including the Regulation (EU) 2021/1119 for achieving climate neutrality (European Climate Law); a comprehensive set of proposals strengthening the European Commission proposals, including: application of emissions trading to new sectors; increased use of renewable energy; a faster roll-out of low emission transport modes; alignment of taxation policies with the European Green Deal objectives; measures to prevent carbon leakage; support to forest-based bioeconomy and keeping a sustainable use of harvesting and biomass; preserving biodiversity and planting more than three billion trees; strengthening criteria for the use of bioenergy. Concerning measures adopted in specific sectors, the Strategy focuses on: sustainable farm management and environmentally and climate-friendly agricultural practices and methods; improving water resources management; optimising the use of agricultural land; reducing the use of fertilisers and improving animal waste management; control of water pollution; selection of proper tree species to be planted.