**CYMEPA Urges Citizens to Engage in METAVASEA Survey on Shipping Decarbonisation**
The Cyprus Marine Environment Protection Association (CYMEPA) is calling on residents of Cyprus, particularly those living in coastal areas, to participate in the second wave of an online survey as part of the METAVASEA project. This initiative aims to gather insights into public perceptions, knowledge, and concerns surrounding the decarbonisation of the shipping industry.
The survey, which is anonymous and takes approximately ten minutes to complete, seeks to understand how the transition towards new fuels, digital applications, and lower-emission technologies in shipping impacts not only the maritime industry but also port cities, coastal communities, and society at large.
Participants are encouraged to express their views on various topics, including climate change, the significance of reducing carbon emissions from shipping, and the adoption of alternative or transitional fuels. The collected responses will be analyzed collectively, contributing to METAVASEA’s ongoing research into regional developments, challenges, and needs.
The first wave of the survey yielded 898 responses from various stakeholders, including the maritime community, ports, suppliers, and members of civil society. Notably, the initial findings revealed that 97% of citizens expressed concern about the effects of global warming on their local environments. Additionally, 78% rated the importance of decarbonising shipping for the sustainability of the marine environment in the East Mediterranean as very high. However, the survey also highlighted gaps in public awareness regarding the shipping industry's actual contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions, indicating a need for clearer and more evidence-based public information.
The METAVASEA project, which stands for "People-centred Transition for Maritime Decarbonisation in the East Mediterranean," is a five-year initiative coordinated by HELMEPA in collaboration with six partners, including CYMEPA, along with 12 associate partners and numerous supporting companies. Funded by the Lloyd’s Register Foundation, the project aims to facilitate a people-centered green and digital transition in shipping, enhance the skills of 1,500 seafarers and maritime professionals, identify regional opportunities and challenges, and bolster climate awareness throughout the East Mediterranean.
For more information about the METAVASEA project and to participate in the survey, interested individuals can visit the designated link provided by CYMEPA. The association emphasizes the importance of citizen participation in shaping a sustainable future for the maritime sector and the broader community.