LIFE SIRIUS project completion: A System for Integrated Environmental Information in Urban Areas
On the 14th of January 2025, the Cyprus Institute, through the Climate and Atmosphere Research Center (CARE-C), and the Department of Labour Inspection (DLI) of the Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance, successfully concluded the European LIFE SIRIUS project (A System for Integrated Environmental Information in Urban Areas), presenting its results at a special Local Working Table held at the Institute’s premises.
The final event attended representatives from key Cypriot authorities, including the Office of the Commissioner of Environment, the State General Laboratory of the Ministry of Health, the Department of Environment of the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, the Department of Town Planning and Housing, the Directorate of Technical Services of the Ministry of Interior, the Department of Road Transport of the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works, the Municipalities of Strovolos (Nicosia) and Larnaca, as well as the Medical School of the University of Cyprus.
The project LIFE SIRIUS, with a 4-year duration, focused on the effects of air pollution and thermal stress on the health of urban population. It took place in three European cities (Thessaloniki, Rome and Nicosia), aiming to improve governance in air quality planning and management through a holistic environmental approach.
LIFE SIRUS was funded by European Union’s LIFE project with partners from Greece (The Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Axon Envirogroup, Municipality of Thessaloniki), Italy (Agenzia Regionale Protezione Ambientale del Lazio, National Research Council of Italy, Institute of Atmospheric Sciences and Climate) and Cyprus (The Cyprus Institute, Department of Labour Inspection).
During the event specific emission reduction measures were proposed, including increased teleworking, incentives for carpooling, free school buses, and low emission zones. For the first time in Cyprus, the LIFE SIRIUS project developed an integrated Health-related Warning System that combines heat and air quality parameters, providing daily air quality forecasts and health warning thresholds.
For more information visit: https://lifesirius.eu/.
