PN submits proposals for draft climate action law

The Nationalist Party has submitted a number of proposals on the draft Climate Action Act, which will ensure it will provide its full support for a consensus-based adoption of this act in acceptable timeframes.

The effort to regulate climate action within a legal framework is a continuation of the process which the previous administration had already initiated with the preparation and adoption of the mitigation and adaptation strategies in 2009 and 2012 respectively.

 “Though agreeable, the proposed text provides very little perspective of why the law is essential for a small nation which contributes little to the world emissions but is considered especially vulnerable to its effects,” shadow environment minister Charlo Bonnici said.

“The Nationalist Party is expecting the government to take a more ambitious attitude on issues relating to the future well-being of future generations. The Act, though a good start, is a far cry from what the Labour Party used to talk about and promise when in Opposition. Much more was expected from a government which had boasted of having so many roadmaps including one on environmental issues.”

The PN said that the Bill does not ensure any mechanisms that enable the analysis of potentials over time for mitigation and adaptation, and relies solely on imposed targets and commitments the government may, from time to time, agree to at a European and international level.

“The inclusion of mechanisms that go beyond that, apart from enabling the government to analyse in the long term its ability to meet targets set through negotiation with others including the EU, it will enable the government to identify areas were further ambition is actually advantageous, without the need to act on ad hoc basis.”

The PN is suggesting the establishment of a ‘Target setting mechanism’ which is independent of other processes at EU or international level.

“The mechanism shall provide the government with guidance on what measures to adopt and implement, and through the publication of the outcomes of the mechanism, provide the public a possibility to assess the commitment and ambition of the government of the day to climate action.”

Bonnici said the government should lead by example, but that the law’s targets on mitigation do not specifically provide for the government to regulate its own action in mitigating greenhouse gases and adapting to a changing world.

“This action can possibly take the form of carbon budgets for the public service, renewable energy targets for government entities, low carbon procurement and enhancing the green procurement practices already implemented, and other measures,” he said.

Bonnici also welcomed the climate fund as a useful tool for action, but said it was disrespectful for the government to expect that such a fund will be used mainly to fulfill the government’s obligations under EU and international law.

“It would be expected that the government goes beyond this. The fund should finance action beyond what is already committed to by the government and should also be able to create the right environment for NGOs, SMEs and industry to tap into national funds for research and development, private sector mitigation and adaptation measures, sustainable development, and social inclusion through climate action.”