The Technical Committee for Air Quality Protection in Cyprus, led by the Department of Labour Inspection (DLI) under the Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance, held its annual meeting on April 10, 2025. As the Competent Authority for Air Quality in the Republic of Cyprus, the DLI brought together key stakeholders and authorities to discuss the progress of national air quality measures and European-level actions, including the LIFE-SIRIUS project.
A central focus of the meeting was the implementation of the new EU Air Quality Directive (EU/2024/2881), which will introduce stricter limit values for a wide range of pollutants starting December 12, 2026. The directive enhances air quality monitoring by requiring the measurement of ultrafine particles (UFPs), black carbon (BC), and ammonia (NH₃)—pollutants with serious health and environmental impacts. The application of these measures is expected to significantly reduce emissions from key sectors such as road transport, which is responsible for around 50% of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Cyprus (approximately 2 million tons of CO₂ annually).
The DLI also presented how these air quality improvements will align with efforts to combat urban air pollution and support climate goals. Representatives from the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works highlighted actions already in motion, including sustainable urban mobility plans and public awareness campaigns in Nicosia, Limassol, and Larnaca. Upcoming urban initiatives include the creation of low or zero-emission zones, the implementation of 30 km/h speed limits in selected districts, and the expansion of dedicated bus lanes on high-traffic roads.
An important part of the session was dedicated to updates from CARE-C researchers at the Cyprus Institute (CyI), who are leading the LIFE-SIRIUS air quality project. The project aims to strengthen air quality planning and improve high-resolution forecasting systems that offer health-related warnings in urban environments across Europe. Preliminary results shared by CyI demonstrated how air quality forecasting models can support policymaking. Simulations projected improvements in NO₂ and O₃ concentrations across various transport and energy scenarios for the year 2030, underlining the added value of scientific modeling in policy implementation.
As Cyprus moves forward with a more comprehensive air quality strategy, the integration of real-time air quality data, forecasting systems, and targeted urban policies is proving essential to protect public health and meet European environmental standards.
