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Akamas Initiative Enters Second Year Of Enhanced Landowner Support And Environmental Preservation

Overview And Strategic Vision

The Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment has launched the second consecutive year of its Measure 1 initiative in the Akamas region. This program is designed to bolster landowners, protect the natural habitat, and promote sustainable development across key agricultural zones.

Program Details And Financial Incentives

Under Measure 1, eligible landowners and businesses will have access to an annual financial incentive of up to €6,600 per beneficiary, providing compensation aligned with the Local Akamas Plan. With a total budget of €25 million allocated over the five-year period from 2024 to 2028, the initiative will distribute funds through the Coordinating Office in Akamas.

The subsidy, calculated at €600 per hectare (or €60 per decare), is structured around rental rates for agricultural land. It rewards contributions to the preservation of local landscapes and biodiversity. While the program facilitates the continuation of agricultural activities, it mandates the maintenance of natural vegetation and prohibits any alterations or the erection of barriers that could disrupt the local environment.

Eligibility And Application Process

Participants must control land parcels within the confines of the Local Akamas Plan, covering a total of 93,460 decares across protection, agricultural, and livestock zones. Applications, available exclusively via the platform at www.support-akamas.com, will be accepted from October 1 to October 31, 2025. Both individuals and companies are eligible to apply, with a streamlined process that integrates automatic verification of land ownership via a validated CYlogin account.

For further assistance, stakeholders can contact the office at 22408952 or via email at support-akamas@moa.gov.cy.

Long-Term Impact And Community Benefits

The Ministry emphasizes that the continuation of this measure not only addresses a longstanding challenge but also reinforces the local community and ensures the preservation of Akamas’ natural wealth. By embedding sustainability and environmental stewardship into its core, the initiative serves as a model of integrated rural development and regional stability.

EU Moderates Emissions While Sustaining Economic Momentum

The European Union witnessed a modest decline in greenhouse gas emissions in the second quarter of 2025, as reported by Eurostat. Emissions across the EU registered at 772 million tonnes of CO₂-equivalents, marking a 0.4 percent reduction from 775 million tonnes in the same period of 2024. Concurrently, the EU’s gross domestic product rose by 1.3 percent, reinforcing the ongoing decoupling between economic growth and environmental impact.

Sector-By-Sector Performance

Within the broader statistics on emissions by economic activity, the energy sector—specifically electricity, gas, steam, and air conditioning supply—experienced the most significant drop, declining by 2.9 percent. In comparison, the manufacturing sector and transportation and storage both achieved a 0.4 percent reduction. However, household emissions bucked the trend, increasing by 1.0 percent over the same period.

National Highlights And Notable Exceptions

Among EU member states, 12 reported a reduction in emissions, while 14 saw increases, and Estonia’s figures remained static. Notably, Slovenia, the Netherlands, and Finland recorded the most pronounced declines at 8.6 percent, 5.9 percent, and 4.2 percent respectively. Of the 12 countries reducing emissions, three—Finland, Germany, and Luxembourg—also experienced a contraction in GDP growth.

Dual Achievement: Environmental And Economic Goals

In an encouraging development, nine member states, including Cyprus, managed to lower their emissions while maintaining economic expansion. This dual achievement—reducing environmental impact while fostering economic activity—is a trend that has increasingly influenced EU climate policies. Other nations that successfully balanced these outcomes include Austria, Denmark, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Romania, Slovenia, and Sweden.

Conclusion

As the EU continues to navigate its climate commitments, these quarterly insights underscore a gradual yet significant shift toward balancing emissions reductions with robust economic growth. The evolving landscape highlights the critical need for sustainable strategies that not only mitigate environmental risks but also invigorate economic resilience.

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