Nicosia:The Technical Committee for the Environment in Cyprus has commenced its operations to address climate change issues and develop emergency action plans, as confirmed by Co-chair Michalis Loizides. This initiative follows a decision made during a recent meeting between leaders of the two communities in Cyprus.

According to Cyprus News Agency, Greek Cypriot leader President Nikos Christodoulides and Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhrman agreed on November 9 to promote environmental initiatives and establish a mechanism for rapid response to emergencies. The committee will perform island-wide mapping to identify vulnerable areas, known as hot spots, affected by desertification and a lack of vegetation. This will help create a comprehensive map for monitoring and addressing environmental issues, which will be made available to the United Nations.

Loizides also highlighted the issue of air pollution, noting that while both communities have measurement stations, there is a lack of comprehensive data on industrial pollutants and emissions from fires. A monitoring process will be established to assess air quality and preemptively agree on actions to address pollution on both sides.

The committee is also tackling microplastic pollution in water bodies and land. Loizides emphasized the need for pilot actions to mitigate this issue, suggesting that sludge containing microplastics should be managed according to EU standards, with energy production as a potential byproduct of proper waste management.

In addition to environmental concerns, the committee will focus on emergency plans to handle crises such as oil spills, diseases, and natural disasters. These plans will involve both communities, the UN, and other relevant Technical Committees, utilizing scientific expertise to promptly address emergencies.

Cyprus has faced division since 1974, with previous UN-led peace talks remaining inconclusive. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres plans to convene another meeting after thorough preparation, with María Angela Holguín and Raffaele Fitto playing key roles in facilitating discussions.