Malta’s first 30-year strategy leading towards a carbon neutral economy has been launched for public consultation.
This was announced by Minister for the Environment, Climate Change and Planning Aaron Farrugia and Minister for Energy, Enterprise and Sustainable Development Miriam Dalli.
Minister Aaron Farrugia explained that the strategy prioritises the most cost-effective measures to reduce emissions across the sectors involving energy, buildings, transport, industry, waste, agriculture, and water. The strategy’s main long-term goal is to identify pathways towards carbon neutrality by 2050 and identify measures to, at the same time, adapt to climate change whilst reaching Malta’s national 2030 climate target emanating from EU legislation.
“With the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), government will continue gaining ground and set decarbonisation pathways for the next 30 years and to ensure carbon emissions reductions across the main sectors of the economy”, said Minister Farrugia.
He also explained that the transition to a greener and carbon neutral economy for Malta will pump new life into our future, where government will continue to invest substantially in the process to ensure all are and remain onboard.
“There is no greater duty for any nation than protecting our people and our planet. The pandemic has brought this into sharp focus, but climate change will remain the most enduring threat to the futures of our children and our grandchildren, and the world we are fighting for, if we do not act. Thus, we are putting forward an ambitious plan to reshape our economy for a better and more environmental version, one that suits our future generations. We are not only reshaping our mobility, energy, waste and building sectors into more sustainable ones, but we are looking to invest in greener jobs, digital technologies, and low carbon innovation opportunities. The post-pandemic era must be ecological and environmental, because taking action on climate is no longer an option”, continued Minister Farrugia.
Minister Miriam Dalli explained that the documents issued for the consultation are intended to gather feedback from the general public while showing the government’s vision for our country.
“We have ambitious goals that we want to achieve, and we are committed to doing so. In every incentive we offer, and in every scheme we are launching, we are keeping in mind the contribution of everyone”, explained Minister Dalli. “We want families, businesses, and industries to seize the opportunities that are available when it comes to sustainable investment – an investment that leads to economic growth and a better standard of living.”
Malta will have to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 19% by 2030 compared to 2005. Transportation is one of the main sectors which causes high levels of emissions. Through the Cleaner Vehicles Commission, led by Minister Dalli – who back then was a Member of the European Parliament – various consultation meetings with stakeholders were held, resulting in the green paper which was launched today.
Among other things, the green paper allows feedback from the public regarding the cut-off date for the importation of cars with an Internal Combustion Engine (ICE), which is a car with conventional petrol or diesel engine.
“This cut-off date does not mean that anyone who owns or will have a petrol or diesel car will have to discard it, but this means that cars of this kind will no longer be imported into our country. We also want the public to participate in the decision-making”, explained Minister Dalli. The green paper also asks people about car charging infrastructure and air quality, among others.
Stakeholders and the public in general are being invited to submit their comments by 13th July 2021 on Low Carbon Development Strategy to consultations@mecp.org.mt, and the Green Paper Towards Cleaner Vehicles on our Roads to info@cleanervehicles.gov.mt. Both documents are accessible through environment.gov.mt.
