Briefing

Cyprus country profile - SDGs and the environment

Briefing Published 02 Dec 2020 Last modified 02 Dec 2020

Photo: © Photo by Antoine Petitteville on Unsplash

Through the country’s National Reform Programme, key horizontal and sector-specific policy actions aim to address key economic challenges and achieve smart, sustainable and inclusive growth. Cyprus initiated SDG actions in 2016 by mapping the relevant national sustainable development policies against the SDGs. This exercise identified relevant stakeholders, existing national and/or EU policies and strategies, and the available national SDG indicators. Another outcome of the mapping was identification of the need to develop a new sustainable development strategy that covers all three dimensions of sustainable development: economic, social, and environmental (Republic of Cyprus, 2017).

To achieve the SDGs, Cyprus is giving specific attention and support to certain priority areas, including the promotion of green development and the creation of green jobs (SDG 8). Investing in waste management and recycling (SDG 12), reducing GHG emissions and adaptation to climate change (SDG 13) are the other priorities. As regards SDGs with an environmental dimension, the country focuses primarily on good health and well-being (SDG 3); affordable and clean energy (SDG 7); decent work and economic growth (SDG 8); industry, innovation and infrastructure (SDG 9); and life below water (SDG 14) (Republic of Cyprus, 2017).

In addressing SDGs with an environmental dimension, Cyprus focuses primarily on SDGs 3, 7, 8, 9, 12, 13 and 14.

Cyprus assigned the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to coordinate relevant line ministries and other governmental institutions (e.g. the Statistical Service of Cyprus) to oversee the alignment of future national strategies with the 2030 Agenda. The Directorate General for European Programmes, Coordination and Development engages with the private sector, in cooperation with many other stakeholders (Republic of Cyprus, 2017).

The country established an Interministerial Committee to prepare a strategic policy framework on the applicability of the SDGs in Cyprus. The Committee investigated possible interlinkages with existing initiatives and identified national priorities within the 2030 Agenda. Cyprus now has implementation plans in place for most of the SDGs (UNECE, 2016).

To reinforce cooperation among all stakeholders, Cyprus conducted a nationwide online survey on SDG priorities. An extensive public information campaign will follow in the coming years (UNECE, 2016). Cyprus notes the importance of engaging with local authorities to create ownership of and involvement in the 2030 Agenda. Further activities are planned in all areas of cooperation, including engagement with local authorities in implementing the 2030 Agenda (Republic of Cyprus, 2017).

Cyprus submitted a VNR to the UN in 2017.

The Statistical Service of Cyprus identified a maximum of five to six indicators for each SDG, which are primarily in line with the selected EU SDG indicators. The final set of national SDG indicators is yet to be agreed but will eventually enable Cyprus to monitor progress towards the SDGs, through national progress reports (Republic of Cyprus, 2017).

Sources

Republic of Cyprus, 2017, Review on the Implementation of the 2030 Agenda in Cyprus, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Cyprus (https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/content/documents/15886Cyprus.pdf) accessed 20 November 2017.

UNECE, 2016, Planning, implementation, follow-up and review of the Sustainable Development Goals, United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, Geneva, Switzerland (https://www.unece.org/fileadmin/DAM/sustainable-development/Cyprus_Regional_SDG_Survey.pdf) accessed 20 November 2017.

Disclaimer

The country assessments are the sole responsibility of the EEA member and cooperating countries supported by the EEA through guidance, translation and editing.