Resources and Rural affairs minister George Pullicino yesterday said in parliament that with the Copenhagen summit round the corner, never once did Opposition leader Joseph Muscat discuss the importance of climate change during last Monday’s speech that he gave in reply to Budget 2010.

Mr Pullicino added that, to make matters worse, in a different speech given by Joseph Muscat towards the beginning of February this year, he had promised to liaise with Leo Brincat to create a Labour Party committee which would focus on tackling climate change, but to this date such a committee has yet to materialise. According to Mr Pullicino, this shows the opposition's lacks of commitment towards the subject.

According to the minister, Dr Muscat also remained mum on four important decisions which were taken by the government over the past year. These included the introduction of a consultation document which offered solutions to combat climate change, the new building regulations act, consultations which aimed to introduce alternative modes of energy and the introduction schemes of a new waste management system in Malta.

Such important measures have given the country a much better visual look and have increased awareness on the importance of safeguarding the environment in our country, stated Mr Pullicino.

The minister concluded by saying that 12,000 kilogrammes of recyclable waste has been collected over the past year, while little do people know that the Sant’Antnin waste facility employs 120 people. Other projects in the pipeline include the renovation of historical buildings in Birgu, the restoration of the Wignacourt Tower in Rabat, the completion of the national park in Ta’ Qali and the upgrading of storm water alarms. All in all, said Mr Pullicino, the government last year spent e4 million on the solar water heaters, photovoltaic panels and energy saving light bulbs.

Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando (MP) said that new measures to tackle climate change will never be enough to safeguard potential damage on ecosystems and the structure of the environment of Malta and Gozo.

Even though the country is doing its utmost to tackle the situation, much more needs to be done, especially when it comes to motor vehicles, which are still greatly contributing to greenhouses gases. Furthermore, the country needs to make the most of solar energy, the introduction of wind turbines and increase its recycling facilities.

Dr Pullicino Orlando added that the government intends to spend in the region of e4 million on photovoltaic panels (which will soon be introduced on hospital rooftops) and solar waters heaters, with incentives and awards given to those companies who install and make the most use of photovoltaic panels. The MP added that Malta should mirror the effects of Cyprus, a country which is doing all it can to find constant alternative sources of energy.

Dr Pullicino Orlando claimed that plans to install offshore wind turbines have stalled in the last few years because it has been proven that the country’s waters, particularly those on the Western side of the island, are too deep to allow the installation of these turbines. Onshore wind turbines are not only an eyesore, but have potential damaging visual and hearing effects on the body, while the new underwater cable between Malta and Sicily has great potential to find alternative forms of energy.

Beppe Fenech Adami (PN) stated that even though the opposition and members of the general public mocked the introduction of energy saving light bulbs in last year’s budget, the incentive proved to be a huge success, if not only for increasing awareness on the importance of safeguarding energy on the Maltese islands. Even if one looks opposite the parliament, Dr Fenech Adami said that a site which was previously used as a car park has now been turned into a recreational area for the benefit of all. Dr Fenech Adami added that all money allocated towards the environment in this year’s budget will be wisely spent, with the restoration of the Valletta bastions, one of the government’s utmost priorities.

Also on behalf of the PN, Michael Gonzi said that works on the new Kennedy Grove and the plantation of 180,000 trees across Malta and Gozo over the past five years show the government’s commitment in increasing environmental awareness.

PN MP Philip Mifsud added that the agriculture sector has also benefited greatly in recent years, with the abattoir having undergone an upgrade, while food and hygiene standards have increased over the past few months.