Last Updated on Wednesday, 7 September, 2022 at 12:20 pm by Andre Camilleri
A public consultation on the National Strategy for the Environment 2050 was launched on Wednesday by the Ministry for the Environment and the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA).
The strategy encapsulates the core objectives of the government moving forward.
ERA acting CEO Kevin Mercieca said that “this strategy is going to impact everyone’s future, and everyone can contribute to this.”
It includes eight strategic goals – Clean Air; Quality neighbourhoods; Thriving biodiversity; Zero waste; Resilient land resources; Flourishing seas; Sustainable water resources; And enabling change.
The strategic goals aim to reduce air pollution as well as noise and light pollution, conserve biodiversity and reduce waste generation, preserve the natural functions of land, support water dependent ecosystems and empower the green transition.
Minister Miriam Dalli said that “the environment needs the respect it deserves and only with everyone’s input can we achieve this. The final strategic goal (regarding the green transition) is, in my opinion, the most important as we have to make this change together.”
Dalli stressed that the time for short term planning has to end, “we have to stop looking at plans which fit within a legislature. This is a strategy for a nation, where we will work together to tackle environmental challenges today.”
“This is not the beginning of the government’s work towards the environment, but with schemes for renewable energy systems, incentives for electric vehicles and our carbon neutrality targets, this is a continuation of our commitment to the environment.”
The key to implementing the strategy will be in ERA’s hands. “The strategy addresses the key drivers behind our national environmental challenges while pushing for sustainable growth.”
Dalli continued to state that Malta requires a cultural mindset change in order to promote the green economy as well as green jobs.
The public consultation will be open until Friday 21 October.
