We meet on Friday, the 27th of September at 5.30, outside the Nicosia Supreme Court.
Following the global call for a General Strike for Climate Justice and Against Extinction' we are calling for people living on the island of Cyprus, to join us in our demands for climate justice (in solidarity with communities affected by climate change), energy sovereignty (the ability of communities to control, regulate and manage their own energy), environmental protection and a fossil free Cyprus.
In the southern part of the island, the aims of the Cypriot government for tackling the climate crisis, falls short of the level of ambition set by the Paris Agreement for a 1.5°C world. Even worse, the roadmap and the actions to be taken as seen in the draft National Energy and Climate Plan, are projected to fail to meet most of the targets therein. The target for renewables is set lower than the EU requirements, all while the measures to achieve more renewables in transport will not only fail to meet the 2030 target but are not even projected to meet the 2020 target 10 years later. All the same, there is no strategic assessment regarding increasing renewable sources of energy, in a way which does not harm the environment. Instead of solar panels on roofs, we are seeing them 'planted' on environmentally sensitive areas whilst wind farms are installed in important bird migratory routes. Instead of protecting ecologically sensitive areas, the Government sacrifices them on the altar of profit for a few. Instead of protecting the sea around us, we license big multinationals to explore and exploit it for hydrocarbons and particularly for natural gas - creating more carbon emissions whilst this shakes the foundations upon any chance of reunification of the island is standing on.
From north to south, and from east to west we come together to protest against the failures of those in power to take measures against climate change. Realising our historical responsibility towards the Global North and the future generations, we demand climate justice and energy sovereignty for all.