Government called to lead by example and ‘become greener’

Opposition MPs criticise climate Bill for only placing Ministry representatives on a future Climate Action Board. Labour MP calls on Malta to become an example to the world on how to adapt to climate change

The government should lead by example and make the public service more environmentally-friendly, shadow environment minister Marthese Portelli said.

Speaking in Parliament during the second reading of the Climate Action Bill, the first plenary session in the new Parliament building, Portelli suggested that the government should improve its low carbon procurement, that government departments be given their own carbon budgets, and that such departments be given their own renewable energy targets.

“However, this is isn’t only about the government, and Parliament has a whole is duty-bound to get everybody to protect the climate,” she added, while warning that many Maltese people still view climate change as simply about the melting of ice.

The Bill will make Malta legally obliged to meet its EU emission targets and require the government to prepare national low-carbon development and national adaptation strategies. It will also set up a Climate Action Board to implement the Bill and ensure that Malta is reaching its EU climate change targets, as well as a Climate Acton Fund to support research, development, education and public awareness related to climate change.

However, Portelli criticised the Bill for shifting environmental NGOs and experts in favour of political appointees. According to the Bill, the Climate Action Board will be entirely composed of representatives from each Ministry, while the board that will oversee the Climate Action Fund will be composed of a chairperson appointed by the Environment Ministry, a representative from the Finance Ministry and a member “knowledgeable in climate change matters”.

The national low-carbon development strategy will be drafted by Environment Minister Leo Brincat, “in consultation with any other Minister competent to take cognizance of the matter”.

“Civil society must be involved in the drawing up of this strategy from day one,” Portelli said.

PN deputy leader Mario de Marco criticised the government for allowing the recent resignation of the members of the Guardian of Future Generations commission due to financial shortages.

De Marco praised the board’s outgoing chairperson Michael Zammit Cutajar, describing him as “critical but non-partisan, whose criticisms are always aired in a well-meaning way”.

“The Guardian will be replaced by a board whose chairperson and deputy chairperson will be appointed by the Prime Minister and whose members will represent the government ministeries,” de Marco said, referring to the Climate Action Board. “How will these people have the guts, objectivity and the non-partisanship to truly implement this law? This board cannot be an extension of the government, but should be truly objective.”

He also called for this Bill to give “a sense of responsibility” for climate change to each and every citizen.

“When we think about air pollution, we tend to think about power stations but cars are heavily polluters too,” he said. “Malta is one of the smallest countries in the world, and we have one of the highest rate of cars per capita. To compound matters, our cars are amongst the oldest in the world.”

He therefore called for more modern, electronic cars to be introduced to the roads and for a more efficient public transport system.

Labour MP Marlene Farrugia warned that Parliament must first change its own “climate”.

“People’s interests must be place ahead of economic and commercial interests,” Farrugia said. “I compare the problem of climate change with the problem of Mediterranean immigation. If nations refuse to get together and cooperate to tackle a problem, countries like Malta will feel the effects. However, Malta managed to make its voice heard in Europe on the immigration issue, so we can be a strong voice in favour of tackling climate change too.”  

Referring to Tesla’s recent announcement to create solar-powered batteries, Farrugia said that Malta must be ready to adapt new technological advancements, not only to clean Malta’s air but to become examples of creating united and long-term policies, adapted to climate change, as an example for other countries.”