Key Services that MER offers include:

  • Consultation with local authority, regulators and stakeholders
  • Analysis of the existing state of the natural environment (air, land, water) and collection of baseline data where gaps are identified to supplement existing data
  • Analysis of the existing state of the man-made environment (historical, social, economic, etc.) and of relevant existing pressures
  • Ecological surveys and assessments
  • Socio-economic assessments
  • Evaluation of alternatives and formulation of optimum alternative with the least impacts to the environment
  • Analysis of the environmental impacts for selected alternatives using state of the art and reliable methodologies
  • Proposition of mitigation measures that should be taken to mitigate expected environmental impacts

 

Two of the most significant concerns of all ecologists and conservationists today are the continuous loss of vital habitats and reduction of biodiversity which are inevitable consequences of the expanding anthropogenic pressures. For this reason, the governments of most developed countries have adopted strict environmental legislations to aid decision making.

Environmental assessment aims to ensure that the environmental implications of decisions are taken into account before the decisions are made. Prior to any development coastal users are required (on the basis of Directive 2011/92/EU) to submit an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) study to the Department of Environment of Cyprus. The EIA is an environmental planning policy instrument that allows the prediction and mitigation of any environmental consequences that a project might cause. It is now realized that EIA is of great importance and it should be compulsory prior to any project approval. The responsible authority for Cyprus is the Department of Environment under the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources and Environment.

EIA work forms an important component of our undertakings since the foundation of MER. MER’s researchers have implemented several specialized marine sections of EIAs and complete EIAs around the coasts of Cyprus and have the required expertise to deliver high quality reports and ensure that all environmental obligations/policies are met.

EIA services offered by MER relate to a wide range of coastal users (ports and harbours, breakwaters, fish farms and hatcheries, desalination plants, power plants, and other man-made structures).