New Environmental Laws: Ban on Construction Within 100 Meters of the Coastline Proposed

Cyprus' Commissioner for the Environment, Antonia Theodosiou, has proposed a ban on construction within a 100-meter radius from the coastline. Speaking at a conference organized by the Department of Environmental Protection, she highlighted the importance of this law to align Cyprus' legislation with the requirements of the Barcelona Convention on Integrated Coastal Zone Management in the Mediterranean.

By TEFL · 23.10.2024

The Barcelona Convention mandates a ban on construction within 100 meters of the highest winter waterline. In contrast, Cyprus’ current law restricts the zone to 91.44 meters from the tide line, permitting construction if it serves the public interest and has been approved by the Council of Ministers.

Theodosiou expressed concern over the weaknesses in current laws and noted that intensive coastal development is damaging ecosystems and landscapes. She added that climate change is exacerbating these effects—sea levels are rising, causing coastal erosion and worsening weather conditions.

Currently, a dedicated team is conducting an environmental sensitivity study of the coastline to identify areas that require protection. These zones may exceed the 100-meter recommendation of the Barcelona Convention. Theodosiou emphasized that to protect these ecosystems from illegal construction, there is a need not only for law implementation but also for regular monitoring of coastal areas.