Sustainability in buildings, efficiency in the use of energy and energy coming from renewable sources were discussed in a conference aimed at architects and engineers, and various other stakeholders. For the conference, organized by the Maltese Association for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (MEEREA) the Minister for the Environment, Energy and Regeneration of the Grand Port Miriam Dalli and the Minister for Justice and Construction Sector Reform Jonathan Attard.
The conference was held with the support of the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) and the Energy and Water Agency (EWA), with the aim of discussing the process towards decarbonisation until the 2050.
“Engineers, architects and other technicians in the industry play an important role in this transition towards sustainability. Architects are not only required to design adequate buildings but they must see that these buildings are sustainable – an effort that must be accompanied by the service offered by the engineers who transform these buildings into spaces that are efficient in the use of energy ,” said Minister Miriam Dalli in our intervention.
The use of renewable energy is one way to help the decarbonisation of buildings. An important principle is to reduce the energy consumption of the building, using innovative technology and smart designs. While the transition to renewable energy sources is fundamental, for a country to have a completely decarbonized economy by 2050, it also demands significant advances in energy efficiency.
Minister Dalli also referred to the fact that since 2013, the share of renewable energy has increased from 2.86% in 2013 to 13.4% in 2022. For this strengthening, the Government continues to invest in renewable energy schemes and incentives, including the use of batteries for energy storage.
Minister Jonathan Attard spoke among others on how the authorities concerned including the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) are working to promote and implement strategies that have as their target not only the reduction of energy consumption but also directing the work for a construction sector towards a more environmentally sustainable one.
“Since before the signing of the Paris agreement, Malta was already increasing its ambition to work towards a future with low amounts of carbon. A process that undoubtedly accelerated itself through the 2050 targets. Along with this, in the coming years the emphasis should be on the reduction in energy consumption,” explained Minister Attard.
“With a clear vision of what we want to achieve, with a strengthened Building and Construction Authority (BCA) and with strengthened collaboration with other entities and with effective communication with the parties concerned, I am confident that we can achieve significant progress in our mission to continue raising standards towards a more sustainable construction industry,” concluded Minister Attard.
Photos: DOI, MEER, MJR
