Commissioner for the Environment, Antonia Theodosiou has said that Cyprus' shift towards renewables has been slow, limiting the island's ability to reduce carbon emissions and conserve water.

In her opening address at the launch of the Water, Energy, Food, Ecosystems (WEFE4MED) Nexus Workshop, organised by the Cyprus Institute, Theodosiou said "fortunately, Cyprus is blessed with abundant sunshine, providing us with a great potential to harness solar energy as a sustainable alternative. Yet, despite this potential, our shift towards renewables has been slow, limiting our ability to reduce carbon emissions and conserve water".

However, she noted, "there has been progress. Electricity generation from renewable energy sources (RES) has steadily increased, reaching approximately 18% in 2022, with a target of at least 23% by 2030. As part of the broader energy transition strategy, Cyprus initially relied on natural gas as a temporary solution, as it emits fewer pollutants than heavy fuel oil and addresses the current challenges of storing energy from RES".

Cyprus, she said, like its Mediterranean neighbours, is under immense pressure, "and we find ourselves at a pivotal moment. Sustainable management of our water, energy, food, and ecosystems –severely impacted by climate crisis– is no longer a choice but a necessity for our survival".

In particular, Cyprus faces major challenges related to water, energy, and food security; challenges compounded by the island’s geographic limitations, overuse of its natural resources, and, of course, the accelerating impacts of climate change.

One of the most pressing concerns is water scarcity. Cyprus is one of the driest countries in Europe, and prolonged droughts and irregular rainfall patterns have placed immense strain on our water resources. To mitigate this, we have constructed a large number of dams to capture and retain the limited freshwater resources we receive. 

The agriculture sector, which plays a vital role in our economy and food security, is a major consumer of both water and energy. Cyprus’s agriculture is highly dependent on irrigation, accounting for 70% of total water consumption, with the exception of rainfed or dryland crops that are also vulnerable to prolonged droughts. 

In terms of energy, said Theodosiou, Cyprus remains heavily dependent on imported fossil fuels, which not only makes the country vulnerable to fluctuating global energy markets but also contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions. 

The Commissioner said the Ministry of Energy is now advancing significant measures to boost RES penetration, including the introduction of regulatory frameworks for energy communities and actively pursuing water-saving technologies, investing in renewable energy initiatives, and ecosystem preservation programmes. However, much more remains to be done, and time is of the essence, she added.