The legislation, which empowers the Minister of Transport to implement measures aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, has successfully passed in the Thursday Parliamentary plenary session. According to Brief, these measures are expected to be initially piloted in two areas within Nicosia.

The Minister of Transport will now have the authority, through decrees, to designate areas as zero or low emission zones. They will have the ability to ban vehicle circulation of certain categories based on geographic and temporal restrictions, prohibit the registration of vehicles based on the pollution they emit, impose charges for vehicle circulation in certain areas based on the extent of pollution they contribute to the atmosphere, and regulate speed limits and parking capabilities within low-emission zones.

In essence, the Minister will be able to prohibit and regulate the entry of high-emission vehicles into selected areas through these decrees—a point that has raised concerns among members of parliament about the method of implementation.

Brief reached out to the Minister of Transport, Alexis Vafeiadis, to inquire about the Ministry’s plans following the bill's passage into law.

As Minister Vafeiadis responded, there are considerations for these regulations, or parts thereof—which may also concern infrastructures—to be initially applied on a pilot basis in two areas of Nicosia.

Mr. Vafeiadis mentioned that these two areas are in the Ministry’s plans due to expressed interest; however, he emphasized that no decision will be made without preceding open consultation. This approach, he stressed, will apply to all selected areas.

The Minister elaborated that the selection of areas will only occur after thorough study and open dialogue, considering both the residents' interest in such a change and the percentage of residents who have the means to adapt to the changes. Another factor to be assessed is whether the local authority can continue to provide its services to the residents without causing issues (e.g., if garbage trucks are high-emitting).

Mr. Vafeiadis also noted that areas interested in becoming zero or low-emission zones are encouraged to communicate with the Ministry of Transport.