The Church is leading by example to combat climate change and is introducing a number of environment-friendly measures in this regard, Church Environment Commission chairman Victor Axiak said yesterday.

Professor Axiak said the measures were introduced after an environmental audit to evaluate the effect the operations of the Curia, the Media Centre – which is owned by the Church – and the Zejtun parish were having on the environment in term of use of paper, water, electricity and the emissions of carbon dioxide.

The audit aimed to study the use of energy, including water, the generation of solid and liquid waste, gas emissions, health and safety at the workplace as well as the laws and other aspects of climate change.

The study, carried out by Eco-Pro Ltd, revealed that the Curia alone generated around 3.5 tonnes of solid waste every year, which is equivalent to the solid waste produced by around eight people in Malta.

At the Media Centre, which includes the RTK Church radio station and the printing press, the findings revealed a high use of paper and electricity. Since then, the Media Centre has introduced measures and the consumption of electricity decreased by around 10.4 per cent, Media Centre chairman Victor Formosa said.

The study also revealed that at the Zejtun parish church, the consumption of electricity increased considerably during the feast period as did water and other waste and emissions, mainly due to the use of lighting.

Professor Axiak explained that if one were to get the findings of one parish and extrapolate it over the approximately 70 parishes in Malta, and take into consideration all the Church operations, one would find that between 1,000 and 1,500 tonnes of carbon dioxide – which causes climate change – is produced annualy. In a year, every person in Malta generates around seven tonnes of carbon dioxide.

The company that was commissioned to carry out the study drew up a list of recommendations so that the Curia, the Media Centre and the parishes around Malta and Gozo would introduce environment-friendly measures which would have an impact on the problem of climate change.

Professor Axiak said the Church would continue creating awareness about climate change and the need to take care of the environment. During Mass on Sunday, a prayer will be said to urge people to be more responsible towards the environment.