This Christmas the Malta Information Technology Agency (MITA) has planted a number of trees through the ‘Tree 4 You’ campaign. The tree-planting ceremony, attended by Resources and Rural Affairs Minister George Pullicino, the chief executive and staff of MITA was held at Ta’ Qali last Sunday.

The Agency has always been a firm believer in eco-friendly measures and whenever possible has taken the necessary action to contribute towards such a cause. MITA chairman Claudio Grech said that the ICT industry is morally bound to address the energy footprint that their technologies are occupying.

“At MITA we implemented a number of measures that contribute towards the reduction of our footprint. Among other things, we have introduced a shuttle passenger service which reduced our fleet by 65 per cent, championed the idea of teleworking on a national scale, introduced energy saving bulbs and lightning cut-off sensors, reduced 90 per cent of the printers by introducing common multi-purpose network printers/copiers and we also introduced green procurement measures in tenders” he pointed out.

MITA encourages other entities to follow suit. As trees grow they generate oxygen and absorb the harmful greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide (CO2). As well as helping to tackle global climate change, the planting of trees is also extremely beneficial to the local environment, as it provides a local cooling effect, prevents soil erosion and also provides a natural habitat for birds and other species of flora and fauna.