Cyprus is an island nation that covers a total area of 9.251 km² and has a population of 923.272 inhabitants.

Urban centres in Cyprus are on the coast, with tourism being the main economic activity, placing significant pressure on the environment i.e. due to the rapid coastal real estate developments such as marinas while the Natura 2000 area is fragmented by the main airport of the RoC (Alykes Larnakas and Sand-dune system). Additionally, the population is increasing, leading to further construction and development.

Current climate impacts and vulnerabilities
Climate Change related challenges include: high temperatures - including absolute daytime extremes and increased marine temperatures, increase of non-indigenous species, increasing length and intensity of heatwaves, intensification of storms, increase in the number of tropical nights and increased levels of humidity. Environmental degradation related challenges include coastal erosion, anthropogenic disturbances and marine pollution. These challenges result in synergistic negative impacts on coastal and marine habitats (e.g. posidonia beds, coralligenous, sand dunes) and priority species (e.g. sea-turtles, elasmobranchs, corals).

Transformation scenarios through DesirMED
DesirMED activities will focus on the urban coastal interface, building consensus around the effectiveness of blue-green NbS and their mainstreaming and the creation of an integrated governance system for the mainstreaming of blue-green NbS for mitigation and management of climate hazards.