Republic of Cyprus Second Voluntary National Report - Sustainable development goals

94 NARRATIVE Cyprus’ efforts to combat climate change have been accentuated since 2018, given the new legally binding obligation for lower GHG emissions adopted through the relevant EU Regulation. Cyprus is focusing on implementing the ambitious Strategy adopted in the National Energy and Climate Plan, with measures on promoting Renewable Energy Sources (RES), energy efficiency sustainable transport, the introduction of natural gas, the opening up of the electricity market, and increasing energy security. There has been a considerable improvement in the share of RES reaching 14% but the up-take of RES in transport is still well below the target. Despite all efforts CO 2 emissions kept growing during the last four years due to increased economic activity. A major challenge in implementing SDG13 is the effective coordination of all involved parties, and keeping them well informed so as to implement the strategies/ policies/measures requiring their action/participation in a timely manner. Thus, the new structure for the Green Deal implementation has been adopted to enhance coordination. Cyprus aims to achieve the mitigation targets for 2030, and decarbonisation by 2050 as set by the targets and objectives of the National Climate and Energy Plan (NECP). On a positive note, a significant amount of more than €1.5 billion has been included in the programming cycle for the period 2021-2030 with considerable amounts coming from EU funds, supporting Cyprus’ efforts towards the green transition. ANALYSIS Cyprus holds the 20 th position in the share of renewable energy in gross final energy consumption (see Figure 33), and the 17 th position in the average CO 2 emissions from new passenger cars. The trend analysis shows an improvement from 2010 to 2019, for renewable energy (the percentage was 6.2% in 2010 and 13.8% in 2019). Additionally, Cyprus presents a small decline towards climate mitigation, with the greenhouse gas emissions index rising to 153.8 tones CO2 equivalent in 2018, compared to 142 tones in 2015 (see Figure 34). The relative production level in 2018 was 79.3 in the EU, placing 13.8 3.3 9.8 35.1 19.7 8.9 34.1 22.1 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 Total Transport Electricity Heating and Cooling % Cyprus EU Figure 33.: Share of Renewable Energy in Gross Final Energy Consumption 161.5 156.7 147.7 135.7 141.6 142.0 151.0 155.8 153.8 120 125 130 135 140 145 150 155 160 165 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 index, 1990 = 100 Figure 34.: Greenhouse Green Emitions Cyprus in the 22 nd position among EU members. Cyprus is 7 th in the population covered by the Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy Signatories (56.5% of the population is covered in Cyprus, and 43.6% in the EU as a whole).