Cyprus has moved up 5 places in the 2026 Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI), ranking 39th globally and 20th among the 27 EU member states. Despite the improvement, the country remains classified as a “low performer” in global climate action, continuing to face structural barriers in decarbonisation, renewable energy deployment, and policy implementation.

The CCPI evaluates 63 countries and the European Union — responsible for over 90% of global greenhouse gas emissions — using 14 indicators across 4 categories: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (40% of overall score), Renewable Energy (20%), Energy Use (20%), and Climate Policy (20%).

This year, Cyprus received a low rating in 3 out of 4 categories: GHG Emissions (rank 41), Renewable Energy (rank 27), and Climate Policy (rank 51). Energy Use remains the only “medium” scoring category, where Cyprus places at 17th globally.

Despite being strongly anchored in EU climate legislation, including obligations under the Renewable Energy Directive and its National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP), Cyprus continues to struggle with major structural issues. According to CCPI country experts, regulatory uncertainty remains one of the biggest obstacles to accelerating renewable energy deployment — particularly in permitting, grid access, and the integration of new projects.

The report notes that Cyprus relies heavily on EU-level frameworks such as the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and the ministerial decree mandating the use of biofuels. However, national-level policy tools remain fragmented, slow to implement, and insufficiently coordinated to meet the country’s long-term climate goals.

Under the Effort Sharing Regulation, Cyprus must reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 32% by 2030 compared with 2005 levels. Current national projections show that Cyprus can only manage a 26% reduction under the “With Additional Measures” scenario — leaving a significant gap.

Experts warn that without rapid acceleration of renewable energy deployment, stricter emissions monitoring, and a clear fossil fuel exit plan, the country will not meet its legally binding EU obligations.

Cyprus continues to rely heavily on fossil gas extraction and imports, with no clear national strategy for phasing out fossil fuels. The CCPI experts call for an immediate halt to new fossil gas projects and urge the government to adopt a time-bound, Paris-aligned fossil fuel phase-out plan.

Cyprus also receives criticism for allowing photovoltaic (PV) installations on arable land, raising concerns over land use conflicts. At the same time, the country lacks specific national strategies for afforestation or peatland restoration — both important for achieving long-term carbon neutrality.

Bioenergy production stands at 47 kilotonnes of oil equivalent (ktoe), accounting for 33% of total renewable capacity. Biomass is mainly sourced from timber, waste, and biogas, with imports also playing a significant role. While the report notes no major human rights concerns, experts stress the need for more sustainable, transparent biomass sourcing.

As in previous years, Denmark remains a global frontrunner in climate mitigation, followed by the United Kingdom and Morocco.

At the opposite end of the ranking, Saudi Arabia, Iran, and the United States occupy the lowest positions.

The US is considered one of the biggest losers in this year’s index, sliding to 65th following its renewed withdrawal from the Paris Agreement under President Donald Trump and a rollback of federal climate regulations.

By contrast, Chile is the winner of the 2026 CCPI, rising to 7th place thanks to its ambitious climate law, strengthened Nationally Determined Contribution, and rapid progress in renewable energy.