Since joining the European Union, the foundation of the environmental policies of Cyprus has been reviewed. Cyprus has also signed nine international environmental agreements, and has ratified the Cartagena Protocol on biosafety. Cyprus has also ratified the Kyoto Protocol on climate change.

Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Law 158 (I) / 2004 is the result of the obligations of Cyprus to the European Union, as shown by the Rules 1005/2009/EK and the Montreal Protocol. Agreements of Cyprus concerning the environment 1.

Substances that are affected by regulation 2037/2000 The regulation affects the supply and use of all substances that deplete the ozone layer (0DS). Some of the basic ingredients are the following: a) refrigerants CFCs: 11,12, 502 HCFCs: 22 b) Solvents CFC: 113, 1,1,1 trichloroethane HCFCs: 141b c) Production of foams HCFCs: 22,141 b, 142b d) Equipment Fire Halons: 1211,1301

Agreements of Cyprus concerning the environment 2. Barcelona Convention for the Protection of the Mediterranean The Member Countries of the Convention decide the strategy of the Action Plan, budget and set the NCP (Focal Point) which ensures the implementation of the Convention at their country. Rotating group of 6 representatives guide and advise the Member Countries at two-yearly intervals.

- Assessment and Control of Marine Pollution. - Sustainable Management of Marine and Coastal Resources. - Promotion of environmental practices in employment conditions and economic development. - Protection of natural and cultural heritage of the Mediterranean. - Developing cooperation among Mediterranean countries in environment. - Improvement of living standards MAIN OBJECTIVES OF THE CONVENTION OF BARCELONA

Aarhus Convention on access to environmental information Agreements of Cyprus concerning the environment 3. Public authorities are required to provide information on the environment and are held by them or on their behalf to any applicant, without being required to plead or prove interesting.

Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) Agreements of Cyprus concerning the environment 4. The Convention on Biological Diversity United Nations, signed in Rio de Tzianeiro on June 5, 1992 and has three main objectives: 1. conservation of biological diversity, 2. Sustainable use of components and 3. fair and equitable distribution of benefits from genetic resources.

Agreements of Cyprus concerning the environment 5. Convention on internationally important wetlands (RAMSAR) The Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, signed in the city of Ramsar in Iran in 1971 and is an Intergovernmental Agreement, which provides the framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands and their resources.

The States Parties to the Convention is 158, while the number of sites included in the list of Wetlands of International Importance is 1722 with a total area of 160,158,832 hectares. Cyprus ratified the Ramsar Convention in 2001 Ratification Act [N. 8 (III) / 2001] and the Larnaca Salt Lake has been listed as a Ramsar wetland of international importance 1081st.

Convention to Combat Desertification Agreements of Cyprus concerning the environment 6 Desertification has been recognized by the international community as a major economic, social and environmental problem for many countries in all regions of the world. In 1977, the United Nations Conference on Desertification (United Nations Conference on Desertificarion - UNCOD), adopted an Action Plan to Combat Desertification. In December 1999, Cyprus on the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (Ratification) Act 1999 [N.23 (III) / 99] ratified the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) to Combat Desertification Agreements of Cyprus concerning the environment 7. The Convention CITES, also known as the Washington Convention, aims to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival. The Convention has been signed by 172 countries, among them Cyprus, which has ratified the Convention on 18/10/1974 by the Convention on International Trade vanishing Species of Wild Fauna and Flora Ratification Law [N.20/1974]

Convention on European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (Bern) Agreements of Cyprus concerning the environment 8. The Convention on European Wildlife and Natural Habitats was signed in Bern on 19 September 1979 and aims to promote cooperation among States Parties to the preservation of wildlife and their habitats and protect threatened migratory species. Cyprus has ratified the Convention on the Law on Ratification of the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats [N. 24/1988].

Convention for the Protection of Migratory Species of Fauna (Bonn) Agreements of Cyprus concerning the environment 9. The Convention for the Protection of Migratory Species of Fauna, known as the Treaty of Bonn, aims the conservation of migratory species throughout their range. Its members consist of 104 countries in Africa, Central and South America, Asia, Europe and Oceania, including Cyprus and the signing in 2001 of the Act Ratifying the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Fauna [N. 17 (III) / 2001].

Agreements of Cyprus concerning the environment 10. The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety to the Convention on Biological Diversity is an international agreement which aims to ensure the safe handling, transport and use of living modified organisms (LMOs) resulting from modern biotechnology that may have adverse effects on biological diversity, taking also into account risks to human health. It was adopted on 29 January 2000 and entered into force on 11 September 2003 The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety

Agreements of Cyprus concerning the environment The Kyoto Protocol is a protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC or FCCC), aimed at fighting global warming.protocol United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Changeglobal warming The UNFCCC is an international environmental treaty with the goal of achieving "stabilization of greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system." environmentaltreatygreenhouse gasatmospheredangerous anthropogenic interference The Protocol was initially adopted on 11 December 1997 in Kyoto, Japan and entered into force on 16 February As of July 2010, 191 states have signed and ratified the protocolKyoto Japan191 states have signed and ratified

Overview map Of States Committed to a CO2 reduction in the Kyoto Protocol period. Green countries = Committed to reduction Yellow countries = Committed to 0% reduction Red countries = Not committed to any reduction Cyprus is one of the first countries that have signed and ratified the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, in 16 July 1999 Kyoto ProtocolUnited Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

The Copenhagen failed to prevent climate change No significant binding agreement to reduce emissions expired UN conference in Copenhagen on climate change threatening the planet. UN conference in Copenhagen

However German chancellor Merkel Ankela made clear that Europe would stick to a plan to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 20% by 2020 compared with 1990 levels until they agreed a legally binding treaty.