Following the record-breaking temperatures and drought of late 2025, SDSN Cyprus supported this critical public lecture and policy forum held at The Cyprus Institute's Athalassa Campus.
- Title: "Europe Must Learn to Live with Fire: Policy Options for Prevention, Resilience, and Fire Adaptation."
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Date: Thursday, January 22, 2026
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Organizers: The Cyprus Academy of Sciences, Letters and Arts, the European Academies Scientific Advisory Council (EASAC), and The Cyprus Institute, with the strategic support of SDSN Cyprus.
Context and Objectives
The event was triggered by the publication of the EASAC report "Changing Wildfires in Europe." Given the extreme heatwaves of 2025, the primary goal was to shift the national mindset from reactive fire suppression (putting out fires) to proactive risk management (land use and resilience).
Key Discussion Pillars
- The "New Normal" for Cyprus: Experts warned that wildfires in the EU now burn an area roughly half the size of Cyprus every year. With the Mediterranean being a climate "hotspot," the discussion focused on how Cyprus must adapt to multi-year droughts.
- The Three-Phase Management Model: 1. Pre-disaster: Prevention, education, and early warning systems. 2. Disaster: Suppression strategies. 3. Post-disaster: Recovery and ecological impact management.
- Policy Recommendations: The panel called for the integration of wildfire risk into all sectoral policies, including agriculture, urban planning, and water management.
Distinguished Panelists
The event featured a rare gathering of regional and international expertise:
- Prof. Costas N. Papanicolas: Convenor and Director of the Research Unit for Climate Crisis (Cyprus Academy).
- Prof. Efthymios Lekkas: Renowned expert in natural disaster management from the University of Athens.
- Dr. Savvas Iezekiel: Director of the Department of Forests, Cyprus.
- Prof. Thomas Elmqvist: Stockholm Resilience Center (Stockholm University).
- Dr. Orsolya Valkó: Leader of the HUN-REN Centre for Ecological Research.
Technological Innovations Highlighted
A major part of the briefing was dedicated to "Climate Tech" solutions currently being developed at The Cyprus Institute:
- AI-based Early Warning Systems: Using machine learning to predict fire spread.
- High-Resolution Satellite Data: For real-time monitoring of fuel loads (dry biomass) in rural areas.
- The European Wildfire Hub: Promoting Cyprus as a regional center of excellence for wildfire research in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Impact Note: The event concluded with a "SOS" call to policymakers to ensure that the findings of the 2025 Sustainable Development Report (specifically SDG 13: Climate Action and SDG 15: Life on Land) are reflected in the upcoming legislative cycle.
Media coverage is attached.
