Environment Commissioner Antonia Theodosiou on Thursday called for a ban on the construction of buildings within 100 metres of the coast.
Speaking at a conference organised by the environment department, she said such a law would bring Cyprus’ legislation into line with the relevant requirements of the Barcelona Convention for the integrated management of coastal zones in the Mediterranean region.
The convention’s text establishes “a coastal zone width not less than 100m from the highest winter waterline, where construction is not allowed”.
Cyprus’ current legislation provides for a smaller coastal zone, with the relevant law specifying that “the beach includes areas within a distance of no more than 100 yards (91.44 metres) from the high tide level line, in which construction is prohibited, unless it meets the public interest and approval has been granted by cabinet”.
Theodosiou suggested that the current law is not stringent enough, saying, “in recent years, the intense construction activity near the coasts and the harsh interventions along the coast … have degraded both the coastal ecosystems and our landscapes.”
She added that the pressure on the ecosystems and the environment caused by this construction, combined with the impact of climate change are exacerbating the situation.
To this end, she said Cyprus is “already suffering” the effects of climate change, including “rising sea levels, coastal erosion, extreme weather conditions and the degradation of our ecosystems”.
She said a study was being conducted into the “environmental sensitivity” of Cyprus’ coasts with the aim of determining the exact extent of the coastal area which requires legal protection and said that this figure will “probably exceed” the 100m required by the Barcelona Convention.
“However, the issue of the implementation of laws and regulations is also important. On-site inspections have been carried out in coastal areas so as to supervise the implementation of laws for the protection of the coastal zone,” she said.
She added that her aim is to continue the inspections which are being carried out and to “strengthen the legal basis for the protection of coastal zones”.
This, she said, will ensure coastal ecosystems are protected from construction projects which are “not only being carried out outside the law, but also cause irreparable damage to the environment, undermining the viability and resilience of our coasts”.
