Though scientists had drawn attention to the reality of climate change and the risks it posed to our planet and our subsistence, different states took different action in response.
If there were any remaining doubters the recent natural events surely obliterated any unreasonable suspicions about the veracity and imminence of climate change and its negative effects. From desert-like temperatures in Sicily, to wildfires within European shores, and rain replacing snow in Greenland, such phenomena make for a dystopic setting and scary prospects.
Malta took off relatively late in its fight against climate change. When our neighbours were switching to renewable sources, our households were still reliant on the combustion of the very polluting heavy fuel oil (HFO) for electricity. The last turbine running on HFO was switched off in 2017. The decision to abandon HFO and shift to cleaner sources represents Malta’s first major action to reduce emissions and seriously act on climate change.
In our island’s scorching heat, local households have for years been capitalising on government support to instal photovoltaic cells, store energy in batteries and benefit from solar power.
Headways were made in mobility as government schemes paved the way for old polluting vehicles to get scrapped and new electric vehicles to replace them.
These changes were very important but nature is sending undeniable signs that it is time for determinate action. European funds are a cornerstone in our green and sustainable way forward.
We are steadfast to be a climate neutral state by 2050 and we are not for turning
Notwithstanding the socio-economic challenges posed by the encumbered health crisis, our objective is to recover in a way that is sustainable, equitable and green. Our recovery and resilience plan makes €345 million available to head in this direction.
We are steadfast to be a climate neutral state by 2050 and we are not for turning. A steep goal we may only attain on the back of a long-term waste management strategy and by decarbonising the building stock.
Seventy-eight million euros are available to renovate, green and retrofit public and private buildings starting with public schools and hospitals which will be subject to deep retrofitting with energy-efficient measures. Such funds will facilitate investments in renewable energy around public spaces, roads and footpaths.
Considering that road transport remains our major contributor to generated emissions, substantial support through European funds is called for to sustain the efforts in place in decarbonising transport and address carbon neutrality. One hundred and eleven million euros are planned to reach this goal.
The short-term plan includes stimulating collective and multimodal transport tying in with the improved public transportation system. The latter will be substantially electrified in line with the rest of the road transport network, with its use further promoted as new groups will join youths and elders to ride for free. Resorting to alternative modes of transport is possible if it is made convenient and new ferry landings will help in that respect.
Rethinking the country’s urban core is an important element to carbon-neutrality. Positive prospects abound in this regard when a sustainable urban mobility plan is finalised and implemented for the Valletta region. Very much related to this is the regeneration of the town cores and public squares to create more open spaces free from cars.
Successive national budgets have centred around sustainability and our way forward will build on the several building blocks that were laid. It is a promising plan within a wider context of an integrated government policy shifting our country to a circular economy built on greening industry and the overall digital transformation.
We are making up for lost time through a seriously aggressive policy and action that will breed a new culture and bring results in sustainability.