“Single-use plastic products are incompatible with the protection of our ecosystem,” Minister for the Environment, Climate Change and Planning Aaron Farrugia said, explaining that decades of unsustainable consumption have resulted in today’s urgent response to eliminate marine litter pollution.
“This is why the government is focused on the development of the single-use plastic strategy, which will include restrictions and a ban of certain single-use plastic products. This summer, we have been fully engaged in the promotion of a number of clean-ups and marine litter campaigns. We will continue to instigate more sustainable consumption patterns through effective schemes and incentives for our operators – such as the creation of ‘green corners’ in main retail stores,” Minister Farrugia said.
The Minister was speaking during the informal meeting of Environment and Climate Ministers in Berlin, where he explained that Malta has designated over 35% of the country’s marine territorial waters and over 28% of our land territory as protected areas.
He recalled the biodiversity pledge which was supported in the last few days by political leaders in the UN Summit. He said that all hands should be on deck to ensure that a new biodiversity global framework is in place and that the COP at the convention on biological diversity should serve as a backdrop to step up our resolve, our efforts and our accomplishments towards conservation and management of our resources.
“As a small-island nation, every inch of our land is precious and supports our sustainable economic growth whilst ensuring wellbeing. This is why we are focusing our efforts in promoting a number of urban greening projects, as well as efforts to restore and preserve our rural areas. But we cannot exempt ourselves from addressing further actions towards our lifestyle practices, including unsustainable consumption patterns,” Minister Farrugia said.
The Minister explained that Malta’s climate efforts are being addressed towards the road transport sector, while also focusing on energy-efficient planning. The government remains committed to implementing the necessary measures in order to decrease emissions, he explained.
“We are in the process of finalising our Low Carbon Development Strategy, which will outline our pathway towards carbon neutrality by 2050. Our efforts are being addressed towards sectors which generate the highest level of emissions, including the road transport sector and energy efficiency in buildings,” he said, adding that Malta will soon be announcing a cut-off date for the importation of internal combustion engine vehicles while continuing to invest in transport infrastructure to limit traffic congestions and address the demand for alternative energy sources such as electric vehicles.
Photo: MECP
