Evarist Bartolo told a business breakfast yesterday that the government did not have a serious commitment about making the necessary changes in connection with climate change, clean energy sources and new means of transport.

These were among the main challenges the world faced, he told the meeting, attended by persons from the arts, disabled, business, heritage, education and journalism sectors.

Mr Bartolo, who is contesting the party’s leadership election, said they also had the challenge of rising prices for oil and food. All that the government had done was to let the prices rise, though in the election campaign it had said it had solutions to the problems.

Malta’s place in the global economy was discussed. It was said that new investment needed to be attracted to the country, and the government needed urgently to indicate what future there was for the shipyards and ST Microelectronics.

Among other points that were raised were better public services in health and social security, and rights for disabled persons, instead of charity.