The Cyprus Institute
The Cyprus Institute (CyI, www.cyi.ac.cy) is a private non-profit research and educational institution with scientific and technological focus. It consists of 3 research Centers that address challenging problems both at the regional and international levels. The novelty of the Institute derives from its structure that consists of issue-oriented, rather than discipline oriented research centres, in an interdisciplinary environment. The Government of Cyprus (financially) supports The Cyprus Institute, viewing its establishment as important to its overall policy of transforming Cyprus into a regional centre for research and education. The Energy, Environment and Water Research Centre (EEWRC) was launched in December 2007 as the first research centre of The Cyprus Institute. It is currently the biggest research centre with about half of the total CyI research staff (70 staff) and led by Prof. Jean SCIARE (PI of the AQ-SERVE project). EEWRC is intended as an important research resource for Cyprus, the Eastern Mediterranean, the Middle East and North Africa, and as a gateway between the European Union and the EMME region. Research at EEWRC addresses issues of regional interest but of global importance, including an assessment of climate change impacts, development and articulation of adequate mitigation and adaptation strategies, formulation of strategies towards a carbon-free energy economy for Cyprus and the region, and the sustainable use of water and renewable and non-renewable natural resources. Over the past few years, EEWRC has proven to be a leader in the area of Environmental and Climate research. The Atmospheric and Climate Research division of EEWRC in particular, in close co-operation with the Max Planck Institute for Chemistry (MPIC) in Mainz, Germany, has established CyI as a key player of Climate Research in the region and beyond. EEWRC has been instrumental in providing evidence that the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East region (EMME) is a climate change “hotspot” and relating this to public health, ecosystem development, and water scarcity. These studies have attained international recognition, notably for their emphasis on the EMME.
The Cyprus University of Technology
The Cyprus University of Technology (Technologiko Panepistimio Kyprou; CUT) is a public university founded in Limassol, Cyprus in 2003 and consists of six faculties. CUT aspires to develop itself into a modern, pioneering University able to offer education and high level research in leading branches of science and technology which have high impact on the economic, technical, and scientific sectors. In 2007, the ‘Remote Sensing and Geo- Environment (RSGE)’ Lab was established within the Department of Civil Engineering and Geomatics at the School of the Engineering and Technology of CUT. In 2014, the RSGE Lab was integrated into the ERATOSTHENES Research Centre (ERC) which is its own legal entity. The ERC is the only established Centre in Cyprus for space-based Earth Observation, possesses significant experience in Earth Observation, Remote Sensing and GIS, as a result of its 10 years of operation, participating to over 55 research projects and coordinating more than 25 research projects from various competitive calls. The ERC’s main research goal is the advanced understanding of Earth system sciences using remote sensing methods and engineering techniques. The mission of the ERC is to conduct both basic and applied research towards improved understanding, management, and monitoring of natural resources and infrastructures and to offer expert services and products of excellent qualities in line with the latest development remote sensing and related geospatial technologies or other high-tech tools.
The ERC is considered the most productive and pioneering centre within the Cyprus University of Technology, is in full compliance with the strategic development of the University.
The ERC’s research is focused on the Remote sensing application in Atmosphere, Water, Cultural Heritage and Agriculture. ERC is also a member of several networks such as SPIE, EARSeL, EARLINET, ACTRIS, AERONET (NASA), NEREUS, ISPRS and has strong links with organisations such as ESA, DLR and GEO, as well as the Copernicus Academy Network. The Centre consists of 30 active researchers coming from different backgrounds such as engineers, physicists, Earth and atmospheric scientists; chemists, archaeologists, geomatic engineers, etc, working in the different ERC thematic research areas.
The European University of Cyprus Research Center Ltd
The E.U.C. Research Centre Ltd, established in 2008, is an independent non-profit making organization with the mission to enhance and promote scientific research, both basic and applied, in Cyprus and the wider area of the Mediterranean. Through coordination and participation in national, international, and EU funded research programs, the centre’s research associates have developed important action in a wide spectrum of research areas, including the Information and Communication Technologies, Business, Socioeconomic Sciences, Health Sciences, and Humanities. The vision of E.U.C. Research Centre Ltd is to inspire, promote, and cultivate a research culture that will inevitably lead to the acquisition and accumulation of knowledge, as well as to scientifically informed problem solving in all societal domains. The services offered by the E.U.C. Research Center Ltd revolve around three major axes: Consulting in several different issues pertaining to scientific research (e.g. sources of funding, study design and methodology, dissemination); support in the submission stage of research proposals; and financial and administrative management of research programmes.
The Centre for Risk and Decision Sciences (CERIDES) provides a holistic offer to the academic and business world. The Centre is based on the offering of educational (taught), research and consulting solutions. The Centre has emerged from the synergies that have been identified between the Centre for Risk, Safety and the Environment (CERISE) and the Decision Support and Systems Optimization (DSSO) Laboratory and operates under the auspices of European University Cyprus. It is the first cross-disciplinary, cross-School Center of Excellence of European University Cyprus. CERIDES has already participated in a large number of EU Funded projects (H2020, DG ECHO, FP7, DG HOME, DG JUSTICE) and has amassed significant experience. CERIDES has provided training and consulting for the Government of the Republic of Cyprus, the World Bank and private organizations.
Department of Labour Inspection
The Air Quality Section of Department of Labour Inspection deals with the continuous monitoring of the concentration of various pollutants in the atmospheric environment as well as the assessment/management of air quality, in order to secure the protection of the health and well-being of workers, citizens and the protection of the vegetation and the environment in general. The Air Quality Monitoring Network in Cyprus was established in 2006 with the aim to protect and inform the public. Today, the network has been expanded to eleven (11) stations. This network is operated according to the Cyprus and the European Legislation. The stations of the network are equipped with modern instruments based on the standards of the corresponding European networks. The monitoring stations have the ability to obtain measurements from different pollutants, such as Nitrogen Oxides (NO, NO 2 , NO x ), Ozone (O 3 ), Sulphur Dioxide (SO 2 ), Carbon Monoxide (CO), Particulate Matter (PM 2.5 , PM 10 ) and Benzene (C6H6). Furthermore, by using automatic instruments for continuous measurements, the most important meteorological parameters are being monitored. In addition, DLI carries out measurements of Suspended Particles concentrations using special filters with dedicated samplers in all towns of Cyprus. From these samplings, which are carried out according to the gravimetric reference method, the concentrations of PM 10 and PM 2.5 are calculated and the concentrations of heavy metals, ions and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are determined. Furthermore, DLI has upgraded its calibration laboratory to the standards of a National Reference Laboratory (NRL). The NRL of Air Quality was accredited by the Cyprus Organization for the Promotion of Quality with the EN17025 standard since 6.6.2013. The inspection of conformity to the standard is done annually. The NRL of Air Quality participates in the Laboratory Intercomparison. Participation is compulsory at least once every three years, as determined by legislation and concerns the methods of measurement of NO x , Ο 3 , CO and SO 2 and C 6 H 6 . The results of the measurements are presented on-line on a website together with other relevant information and a mobile phone application. In addition, the public information regarding the air quality is carried out through four island-wide TV stations after their central news bulletin.
Department of Environment
The Department of Environment of the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment (MARDE), is the consulting body for environmental policy issues and coordinator of environment related projects/ programmes. It has the overall responsibility of environmental policy implementation and coordination of procedures. In particular, the Department of Environment of MARDE is the chair of the climate change committee as well as the environmental impact assessment committee and it is occupied with issues of sustainable management of different waste streams, climate change, nature protection and land use such as the protection of biodiversity, coastal zone management, land planning and environment, desertification and environmental awareness and information. As far as climate change is concerned, the Department of Environment is assigned with the implementation of mitigation and adaptation strategies and the monitoring of greenhouse gases emissions. In this context, MARDE has the responsibility for the planning, preparation, management, compilation of the national greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) inventory report. The Department of Environment is also the competent authority for the overall assessment of climate change impacts including contamination of atmosphere and the development and implementation of the relevant adaptation measures. Additionally, the Environment Department constitutes the national focal point of several intergovernmental organisations such as UNFCCC, CSD, MCSD, SMAP, MAP, INFOTERRA and UNEP, and of various Conventions such as the CITES Convention of International Trade of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, the Bern Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats, the Barcelona Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment and the Coastal Region of the Mediterranean, the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Waste and their Disposal the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, the Aarhus Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters and the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer, etc. The Department of Environment has a long-term experience both as a leader and partner in the management of european competitive funding programmes such as LIFE Programme and in european structural and investment funds.
Department of Meteorology
The Department of Meteorology (DoM) is the legal authority for weather in Cyprus and is responsible for all the matters concerning the weather and climate. Its mission is to provide information related to weather and climate to all economic and social activities. The DoM has its own NWP model and operates a Network of 134 Rainfall, 21 Climatological, 3 Synoptic, 54 Automatic Stations, one upper air Station, 16 Actinometric Stations, 2 UV Stations and one Satellite Station. The Automatic Stations have a secure telemetry system for the collection of the measurements and the input of the data in databases while 25 of them are online and provide real time observations to the public under the open data concept. The observational network is completed with an X-band network of weather radars located at the proximity of the two international airports. The Department of Meteorology is a member of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the Network of European National Meteorological Services (EUMETNET EIG) and a full member of the Economic Interesting Group dealing with Financial Issues (ECOMET EIG). The Department of Meteorology participates also in the MEDARE climate rescue project that operates under the aegis of the World Meteorological Organization. The Department cooperates with the Cyprus Institute and with other Organizations and Academic Institutes such as the Electricity Authority of Cyprus, the Cyprus University, the Cyprus University of Technology etc. A close collaboration exists with the Hellenic National Meteorological Service (HNMS). The Department is also connected with WMOs Information System (WIS).
ADDITESS
Advanced Integrated Technology Solutions & Services Ltd is a scientific, consulting, and research SME established in 2011. ADITESS conducts theoretical and applied research and produces studies, at strategic and tactical level, on issues, mainly concerning Security policies, Critical Infrastructure Protection, Transportation security and Border management (monitoring and surveillance). Our staff composed of dedicated and experienced professionals with outstanding professional and academic experience who have been involved in numerous EU Research Programs as well as national and international projects for several years. ADITESS has long-standing history in proposal preparation, project management and R&D activities. Furthermore, a number of ADITESS researchers come with ex-military and ex-police forces background in IT Security, Electronic Warfare (EW) and Signal Intelligence (SIGINT) in large-scale National and International operations, over the last fifteen years. This field experience is enhanced by high academic knowledge especially in the area of security (IT, UAV systems, Electrooptics, Communications, etc.). For the needs of the project our in-house content management system will be used for data management and the implementation of data retention and access policies. Additionally, our previous experience in the development of end user interfaces (both web and mobile) will also be utilized. Finally, we will bring our multi-year expertise in UAV platforms and know-how for the effective communication and deployment of onboard sensors.
The Cyprus Health and Safety Association
The Cyprus Safety and Health Association (CySHA) was founded in September 1991, in Nicosia, Cyprus by twenty one founding members, both from public and private sector and is counting now more than three hundred. The Association’s basic aim is the active contribution in the promotion of safety and health at work; worker’s protection as well as public’s protection. The Association is bound to promote its objectives based on scientific, evidence – based, relevant and professionally sound procedures. The Association is a non – profit organization governed by the CySHA Charter, a seven-membered Council, elected at a Members’ general assembly every two years, free from political, racial and religious biases. Most Members are professional engineers and some have achieved a first degree or a postgraduate degree in occupational safety and health. Many of them have obtained the Nebosh International General Certificate. Most Members are active private safety and health consultants or company safety officers or competent authority inspectors. Health and safety management system and risk assessment implementation, enforcement or audit is among every day Member activities. Many of them have been trained and are regular users and promoters of OIRA tools. Active participation in: The Pancyprian Safety Council, The European Network of Safety and Health Professional Organisations (ENSHPO), The Steering Committee of the MSc in Occupational Safety and Health, the European University Cyprus. CySHA was a partner in: The Leonardo TRIA Project, for the development of a comprehensive workplace risk assessment training course, delivered on 2010 & The European qualification for Occupational Safety and Health Professionals (EUSAFE) project, between 2010 and 2013. CySHA is the contractor of EU-OSHA project for the ‘’Development of an OiRA tool in Cyprus’’, Contract Number – PRU/2014/CYSHA/C/16.
CEA
The Laboratoire des Sciences du Climat et de l’Environnement (LSCE) is a joint venture of CEA (Commissariat à l’Energie Atomique), CNRS (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique) and UVSQ (University of Versailles St Quentin) and is linked to IPSL (Institut Pierre Simon Laplace; http://www.ipsl.fr/en/). Its research activities rely on a staff of around 300 persons (half of them with fixed positions) and are organized in three main research departments, past climate dynamics, Earth System interactions, and Atmospheric composition and tracers in the Environment, latter being involved in AQ-SERVE through the contributions of two different research teams.
LSCE is a leading research institute in atmospheric composition monitoring and biogeochemical cycles and climate modelling including strong capabilities in data assimilation and inverse modelling. LSCE contributed to the IPCC 5 th Assessment Report with two convening lead authors, three lead authors and two review editors. LSCE coordinates several national and international projects and leading the Copernicus atmospheric core service work-package on greenhouse gas atmospheric data assimilation, in collaboration with ECWMF. CEA and partner institutions of LSCE support four sites of the European atmospheric network of the greenhouse gas measurements research infrastructure ICOS (https://www.icos-ri.eu) and operate 12 other stations with high measurement continuity and accuracy as part of the French national greenhouse gas monitoring network, some of these being in remote environments and operated with partner institutions. CEA and partner institutions of LSCE are responsible for the ICOS Atmospheric Thematic Centre, whose mission is to define measurement protocols, test instruments and new sensors, and process atmospheric continuous measurements from the entire ICOS European atmospheric network. CEA is also participating to several sensor development projects, including a novel approach involving micro-photo-acoustics and multiplexed quantum cascade lasers, with industrial partners (MIRIADE, LOCATION) supported, among others, by the Climate KIC European Innovation programme of the European Institute of Technology
The Inter-professional Technical Centre for Studies on Air Pollution
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The Inter-professional Technical Centre for Studies on Air Pollution (CITEPA; https://www.citepa.org/en/) is a not-for-profit organisation (1901 French Charities Act). It identifies, analyses, and distributes data and methods on atmospheric pollution – especially air emissions – and climate change. To carry out its mission for the French Ministry of Environment, CITEPA produces national inventories of atmospheric pollutant and greenhouse gas emissions to meet France’s international commitments, in particular to the EU and the United Nations (UNECE/CLRTAP, NEC Directive, UNFCCC/MMR, IED directive, etc.). These inventories are reported on an annual basis to the European authorities and the United Nations. The French inventory system is recognized as one of the most integrated in Europe which allows reducing the system improvement and maintenance costs. Based on its 20 years’ experience, CITEPA has also developed an international expertise by supporting foreign administrations. CITEPA works in several countries to train experts, audit their inventory systems, and accompany them to build efficient and sustainable inventory systems (Serbia, Croatia, Monaco, Mexico, Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Gabon, DRC and French Islands such as La Réunion and New Caledonia, etc.). CITEPA also conducts techno-economic and forward studies and offers training courses, expert and advisory services and conducts GHG and other audits for businesses and local government authorities. CITEPA has received ISO 9001 certification for its inventories and studies.