Friends of the Earth Malta was glad to note that the Malta Labour Party spokesperson for the environment Leo Brincat is taking political action on climate change, in particular through a proposal to pass a Private Member’s Bill in Parliament. “We believe that this is the way forward to make sure that the current, and subsequent, governments are committed to act on the pressing issue of climate change,” the group said in a statement.

Friends of the Earth has been campaigning on the issue of climate change for the past few years and also have been working on an educational campaign with the aim to reduce emissions, by improving energy efficiency and by using sustainable renewable energy sources.

On a political front, the group is participating in the European wide Big Ask campaign with the aim to lobby the government to adopt a Climate Change Bill in Parliament by the end of 2010. Friends of the Earth Malta has been collecting a petition since February 2008 and this campaign has been very successful and popular with the public. However little action has been taken in Malta to foster renewable energy and thus contribute to the fight against climate change.

Although proper research and debate are required, organising conferences and writing voluminous reports are not enough to combat climate change.

The petition that is being circulated by Friends of the Earth Malta states that the European Commission has requested that by 2020, 10 per cent of our energy requirements will be derived from renewable sources. We have also been granted a five per cent increase in carbon dioxide emissions above 2005 levels.

Friends of the Earth Malta welcomes this agreement. However Friends of the Earth Malta believes that we can better this target. Friends of the Earth Malta is lobbying for the enactment of a National Climate Change Legislation that enforces a net decrease of 10 per cent below 1990 levels. This would promote: national legal enforceable targets; encouragement towards investment in Research and Development for innovation in the renewable energy sector; inspiration for new business markets; promotion of a low-carbon economy.

“We are voicing our concern regarding the threats to our environment and to the welfare of future generations posed by unmitigated climate change. For this reason Friends of the Earth Malta is advocating the enactment of a National Climate Change Legislation to ensure a net decrease of 10 per cent in carbon dioxide emissions below 1990 levels,” the group said.