p>Combating the climate crisis and the green transition are high on our priorities, said the PtD
Fifteen Municipalities and six Communities and thirty organizations and businesses were awarded on Friday, in an event at the Presidential Palace, with the “all-Cypriot green cities and green communities awards” and the “all-Cypriot environmental awards for organizations and businesses” for in 2023.
The President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulidis, awarded the green flag to the Municipalities and Communities and honorary “protector of the environment” medals to the award-winning organizations and businesses, noting in his greeting that tackling the climate crisis is high on the Government's priorities.
The awards were established at the initiative of the Cyprus Center for Environmental Research and Education (CYCPEE) of the Holy Diocese of Limassol, in collaboration with the Commissioner for the Environment, the Union of Municipalities and the Union of Communities. TEPAK, ETEK and the Cyprus Energy Office participated in the scientific evaluation committee.
Green cities and communities, with their award, automatically join the Network of Green Cities and Green Communities of Cyprus.
Special distinction, the “Golden Green” for 2023 and the title of the Green Capital of Cyprus for 2023 was received by the Municipality of Nicosia for the project “redevelopment of Makarios-Stasikratos-Evagoros commercial triangle” in the sustainable traffic and transport category, as it collected the highest score of all the candidate projects.
Accordingly, the “Golden Agrino” among communities was awarded to the community of Kissonerga for the project “first in recycling in Pafos district in 2022” in the Waste Management category.
The special golden award “Golden Cedar” for 2023 for organizations and businesses was awarded to Frederick University as the organization with the highest score among all nominations.
The Municipalities and Communities were honored, among others, for actions concerning urban biodiversity, sustainable traffic and transport, sustainable energy consumption, awareness and education, waste management, culture and the environment.
The businesses and organizations were awarded in categories such as services, in the primary sector, manufacturing, industry and trade, in hotels and tourism businesses and in the category of public and other agencies and organizations.
The awards were established at the initiative of KYKPEE in collaboration with the Commissioner of the Environment, TEPAK, OEB, STEK and OGEE Limassol.
Combating the climate crisis and the green transition are high on our priorities said the PtD
In a short greeting, President Christodoulidis said that the State alone cannot under any circumstances achieve the ambitious goal of the green transition, which must be achieved not because we it is imposed by our international and European obligations, but for the future of our country and the new generation.
He said that if we talk to the new generation of our country, the number one concern is focused on the future of the planet and the challenges from climate change, which is not something far off for us.
“The climate crisis is before us today, we are already facing the challenges. It is for this reason that from our side as a State we attach special importance, it is very high on our priorities, not because it is our obligation”, he said.
Regarding the obligations set by the EU, the President of the Republic said that, without being an expert, he believes that the EU will be forced to review these obligations very soon, because it is not possible to achieve all these goals.
He praised the work of KYKPEE over the last 20 years by announcing that the Government has decided to grant an annual grant to the Center to strengthen its work, and as a sign of recognition of the very important work it does.
< p>Innovation and active participation to meet the challenges says Environment Commissioner
Environment Commissioner Antonia Theodosiou stressed the imperative to strengthen efforts for greener cities and communities and green organizations and businesses to achieve sustainable development and circular economy.
He mentioned that with KYKPEE the 1st Conference of the Network of Green Cities and Communities is planned for the promotion and exchange of good practices as well as a scientific conference on environmental issues.
He mentioned that the challenges of the climate crisis require innovation, cooperation and active participation and assured of its commitment to the structured promotion of good, integrated and global practices that will make urban areas as well as rural areas sustainable.
Embraced the institution says KYKPEE
The scientific director of KYKPEE Dr. Andreas Hadjihampis, after analyzing the rationale of the awards, said that in the last five years various green projects have been carried out in Cyprus such as extensive tree plantings and the creation of green sculptures in urban centers and road islands, expansion and upgrading of intelligent systems and promoted the involvement of citizens in campaigns to reduce visual pollution and pioneering waste sorting and management systems and urban composting were created.
Dr Hatzihambis also referred to initiatives by Municipalities and Communities such as the shaping and upgrading of historic squares, the creation green spaces and free spaces and green spots, the energy upgrade of buildings and the establishment of museums of traditional products.
He also said that the goals of the awards and the activation of the Green Cities and Communities Network are important and he welcomed the fact that the institution is warmly embraced by the local government and environmental projects are increasing in our country.
