Natura 2000 in Cyprus. Investments are stalled due to the lack of conservation rules.

The lack of specific conservation objectives for some Natura 2000 sites in Cyprus is blocking the consideration of investments that may impact protected nature. The Department of Environment has suspended the relevant assessments for new and pending applications. The issue affects tourism, energy, construction, and public infrastructure projects.

This is not a complete ban on construction in protected areas. Procedures are to be resumed once the required conservation objectives are established. Investments with environmental permits already issued but not yet completed require individual analysis. The government has announced that some documents will be supplemented in the coming weeks.

Natura 2000 in Cyprus. Why have procedures stopped?

The basis for the change is the judgment of the Court of Justice of the European Union of July 16, 2026, issued in joined cases C-27/25 and C-356/25.

The cases originated in Ireland, but the judgment clarifies the application of the EU Habitats Directive. It therefore has implications for other Member States, including Cyprus.

The Court pointed out that a proper assessment of the impact of the project on a protected area requires the prior definition of detailed conservation objectives for that site.

These are specific criteria regarding habitats and species. Without them, the office has no adequate basis for determining whether a project will threaten the wildlife that a given area is intended to protect.

Previously submitted applications have also been suspended.

The Cyprus Legal Service indicated that the suspension should cover both new and still pending applications requiring appropriate assessment for special areas of habitat conservation.

Therefore, it is not enough that the investor submitted the documents before the July judgment. If the proceedings are still ongoing, the lack of the required protection objectives remains an obstacle.

The situation is somewhat different for Special Protection Areas for Birds. Assessments may continue if the objectives contained in existing management plans are sufficiently clear, precise, and meet the requirements of case law.

What about individual investments?

New and pending applications

Assessments for habitat areas without the required conservation objectives remain on hold.

Projects with environmental decisions but not completed

They require individual consideration. This does not automatically mean stopping every construction project.

Investments already completed

According to the presented interpretation, they are not covered by the current suspension of procedures.

The gaps in nature protection have been growing for years.

The problem isn't the establishment of new protected areas. It's about rules that the state should have developed earlier.

In the proceedings concerning Cyprus, the European Commission pointed out the lack of adequate protection measures for 28 of 37 special habitat conservation areasThe targets set for the next five were deemed insufficient.

Conservation goals and conservation measures are not the same thing. The former define the state of nature that should be preserved or achieved. The latter indicate the actions needed to achieve these goals.

The mere designation of the boundaries of a Natura 2000 area does not replace the full principles of its protection.

Akamas is once again at the center of the dispute

The case is of particular importance to Akamas, where previous roadworks sparked a dispute over nature conservation.

The Audit Office questioned the preparation of environmental assessments without formally establishing specific conservation objectives. Environmental authorities responded that available studies, habitat maps, and management plans were used.

This discrepancy concerns previous administrative actions. However, it does not change the current need to complete the required documents.

When will investors receive decisions?

The Department of Environment, the Department of Forests and the Game and Wildlife Service are working on the missing conservation objectives and relevant decrees.

The Ministry of Agriculture announces that documents regarding Akamas and other areas are at an advanced stage. However, the declaration of completion in the coming weeks does not mean a single deadline for unblocking all investments.

Adopting conservation objectives will allow assessments to be resumed but will not guarantee planning consent. Each project will still need to be reviewed for impacts on protected habitats and species.

Sources: Philenews, CJEU.