Cyprus remains the only EU country where greenhouse gas emissions have increased

According to Eurostat data, greenhouse gas emissions in the EU fell by 36.3% between 1990 and 2023. During this period, emissions were reduced in every EU country except Cyprus.

While the other 26 EU member states cut their emissions, Cyprus moved in the opposite direction. In Romania, Bulgaria, Slovakia and the Baltic countries, emissions fell by more than half.

According to former environment commissioner Charalambos Theopemptou, the main reasons for the situation in Cyprus remain problems in public transport, building energy efficiency and electricity generation.

He noted that public transport is still largely represented by buses, the energy renovation of buildings is not being carried out actively enough, and fuel oil continues to be used in electricity generation.

Theopemptou also criticised the approach to developing solar energy. In his view, more attention should have been paid to installing solar panels on the roofs of residential buildings, rather than focusing only on large-scale solar parks.

Cyprus also remains one of the EU countries most dependent on fossil fuel imports. In 2024, the EU's average energy dependency rate was 57.3%, while in Cyprus it reached 88%.

The rate was higher only in Malta and Luxembourg, where imports cover more than 90% of energy needs. The lowest rate in the EU was recorded in Estonia — 4.6%.