AKEL on the conclusion of COP28

Statement by Christina Nicolaou, Head of Energy and Environmental Policy of AKEL

 

15 December 2023, AKEL C.C. Press Office, Nicosia

COP28, the largest global conference on the climate, held in Dubai, started with the aim of reaching an agreement to phase out or reduce fossil fuels. It eventually ended with the drawing up of a fragile agreement on a transition from fossil fuels to other forms of energy.

On the positive side, 200 countries gave the green light to tripling global renewable energy capacity and doubling energy efficiency by 2030.

There is still a long way to go to reach the Paris Agreement’s target of limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Nevertheless, the contribution of rich countries, which bear the biggest responsibility for the climate emergency, to the loss and damage fund amounts to about $700 million, which is equivalent to less than 0.2% of the irreversible economic and non-economic losses and damages recorded in developing countries due to climate change.

The international community has missed an important opportunity to address the climate crisis in a substantive way. As long as this is not achieved through international agreement and cooperation, the UN Climate Summits will always end up with the same result.

Cyprus is a country that will be greatly affected by the climate crisis. It must therefore contribute according to its capacity, to adapt and protect itself. Increasing the percentage of energy production from renewable energy sources, protecting areas of significant ecological value, comprehensive planning of public transport and waste management are just some of the necessary measures that must be taken immediately.

At the moment, instead of drastic measures being taken, the Republic of Cyprus is paying millions of euros in fines for waste, ranking last in the tables for the implementation of environmental legislation, permitting the building up of the Akamas peninsula with concrete, with the Christodoulides Government limiting itself to issuing announcements about climate action and carrying out administrative investigations.

14.12.2023