Government committed to reduce carbon emissions

Environment minister reiterates commitment to increase energy efficiency and reduce emissions.

The government is committed to increase energy efficiency and increase the share of renewable energy in order to reach its emissions targets, the environment minister Leo Brincat said.

"The Eurostat statistics issued today on CO2 emissions confirm the urgent need to switch energy generation to gas, an issue which the government addressed from day one," the minister said.

Brincat added that the statistics show the lack of concrete action taken by the previous administration to reduce emissions and encourage the use of renewable energy.

"The statistics show that up to 2012 there was no synergy between the energy sector and climate change policy."

Pointing out that other countries had successfully diversified their energy generation sources which in turn translated into sustainable economic growth, the ministry said that Malta failed to follow suit.

"This government is committed to increase efficiency in the energy sector and renewable energy sources. These factors should lead to a reduction in emissions and the government's is taking its commitment to reach the climate change targets very seriously."