Archive for category: News

The Consortium of Deloitte Limited and Triton Consulting Engineers SA have been assigned by the Deputy Ministry of Tourism (DMT) of the Republic of Cyprus to perform a comprehensive feasibility study of a combined marine development in Kissonerga, Paphos. The scope of the project is to perform a comprehensive feasibility study that will facilitate the DMT to decide on the optimal project development option for a combined marine development. Several development options have been preliminary identified within two categories: a) Development of a Marina and b) Combined development including infrastructure to accommodate cruise ships and a Marina. Within the two categories different options will be examined incorporating commercial uses, real estate facilities/services, etc.

I.A.CO, as a subcontractor of Triton, will aid the process as the environmental consultant of the project. The role of I.A.CO is to execute a comparative environmental assessment of the alternative development options. The environmental assessment of the various options will cover the anthropogenic environment, land and planning zones, cultural heritage, water demand and impacts to water quality, morphology – landscape, soil, bathymetry, marine sediments, biotic and atmospheric environment.

I.A.CO has signed a Contract with the Presidency for the elaboration of a Strategic Environmental Impact Assessment Study (SEIA) for the National Development Strategy of the Mountainous Communities of Troodos.

The main objective of the National Development Strategy of the Mountainous Communities of Troodos is to determine the goals that need to be achieved, in order the wider area of Troodos regain its developing potential.

The main goal of the SEIA is to ensure a high level of environmental protection, as well as to assess the potential environmental impacts that might be arisen from the implementation of the examined Development Strategy plan, according to the provisions of Law No.102(I)/2015.

In the context of the SEIA elaboration, the impacts on the Natura 2000 network areas will be assessed and the relevant mitigation measures will be proposed.

 

The project Meltemi aiming on the mitigation of marine litter pollution has been completed. A video presenting the art work created by talented artists in the context of the project, using marine litter, highlighted in the best manner, its end. The artworks aimed at sensitizing the public on the issue of marine litter.

In the context of the project, the legal framework and the capacity of public authorities, stakeholders and the society was enhanced through numerous actions.

IACO participated as external expert in the implementation of the project. We contributed in the organisation of multidisciplinary workshops on tools and smart practices on marine litter management, the organisation of art-works created by marine litter and the creation of a video for their promotion, the development of bi-lingual national and transnational Action Plans on the marine litter management, bi-lingual guides and booklet on the “Adopt a Beach” and “Fishing for litter” schemes.

It has been a great marine journey…we have put our best efforts towards marine litter free seas. It’s your turn now!

I.A.CO as an external associate of the DFMR within the framework of the project “Meltemi”, participated in the event called “Blue café” which took place in Argaka on July 17^th. This event was coordinated by the NGO “AKTI”.

Local authorities, fishermen and other stakeholders gathered and expressed their thoughts and ideas for several actions that could be implemented in order to deal with the problem of marine litter. A prioritization of these actions was made through a voting procedure between the participants.

I.A.CO is proud to be partner of the Eurostars project E-Wat-Dimon. The Eurostars funded project E-Wat-Dimon was launched in July 2020, and has a duration of 35 months.

Aims of the project are to design and validate DNA metabarcoding methodology for European benthic diatoms identification and to develop a DNA-based analytic test for its standard application in biodiversity assessments of European rivers. The main output of the project will be a low-cost product, unique and fast DNA-based tool for routine application. The output of this project will be possibly a patent, of interest to genomic and environmental assessment fields. Eurostars funded projects such as the E-Wat-Dimon support small and medium-sized enterprises (R&D- performing SMEs) to develop rapidly marketable innovative products, processes and services.

Partners in the project are the Laboratorios Tecnológicos de Levante Spain which is the leader organisation, the Cyprus University of Technology and I.A.CO which is the national coordinator.