A team of Cypriot researchers, led by the coastal engineer Dr. Xenia I. Loizidou, has been awarded for the second time with the very important international recognition of the BeMed Foundation, supported by the Prince Albert Foundation of Monaco.
According to an announcement, the award concerns the action “Maritime commitment against plastic pollution in the Mediterranean”, supported by the Cyprus Ministry of Shipping and aims to establish a participatory structure with representatives of our island shipping, which through participatory process sets action targets to reduce the impact of shipping on Mediterranean plastic pollution, draw up action plans and monitor the implementation of action plans.
Through the “SEAChange 2030” strategy, the Ministry of Shipping aims to establish Cyprus as a catalyst for the adoption of positive changes in global shipping and as an attractive shipping center, which promotes sustainable development and excellence. One of the issues facing the global shipping sector is the reduction of waste production and its proper management, in the context of sustainable development and the circular economy.
Last October, the same team of researchers, with the support of the Ministry of Shipping, organized for the first time in Cyprus, a participatory workshop on waste management on ships and in ports, which was attended by 25 representatives of the shipping industry of Cyprus.
As mentioned, the participants identified through participatory processes the main obstacles they face in terms of waste management and in particular plastics. The most important of these are the lack of coordination between ships and ports, the lack of synergies throughout the shipping value chain, the lack of accountability and the inadequate enforcement of legislation.
This action aims to support the shipping industry itself in identifying solutions and creating annual action plans with specific solutions, as well as adopting, where possible, more cyclical practices and monitoring implementation. The aim is always to improve the management of waste on ships and in ports and the avant-garde of Cyprus towards sustainable shipping.
In addition, it is noted in the announcement that the action “Shipping commitment against plastic pollution in the Mediterranean “was built, submitted and implemented by the Cypriot Environmental Consultants ISOTECH Ltd (www.isotech.com.cy) with the support of the Cyprus Ministry of Shipping. The BeMed Foundation (BeyondPlasticMediterranean, www.beyondplasticmed.org) is supported by the Prince Albert Foundation of Monaco and awards each year the best actions or proposals for action aimed at reducing the plastic pollution of the Mediterranean. The scientific responsible for the implementation of the action is the coastal engineer Dr. Xenia Loizidou, Director of ISOTECHltd Consultants – Environmental Researchers.
Source: KYPE
