The Minister of the Environment, Climate Change and Planning Aaron Farrugia has held a number of discussions with the Maltese Ambassador for Climate Change Simone Borg to discuss plans for the future.

Currently Malta is in a state of drought. According to recent data released by the Met Office, January only saw 15mm of rain, with temperatures averaging around 13.2 degrees. It’s been reported numerous times that in most recent years that the world’s climate is rapidly changing. The few remaining full-time farmers fear that climate change will be the end of their careers.

The Malta Independent asked Farrugia, as Minister for Climate Change, whether he has taken any steps towards tackling this issue. “I have held a number of discussions with the Maltese ambassador for Climate Change, Professor Simone Borg and we are meeting regularly to set up a holistic plan for our country and to reach international targets on the subject,” explained Farrugia.

He said that preparations are taking place for the COP26: the UN Climate Change Summit which will be held later on in the year in Glasgow. Farrugia hopes that Malta can participate in the summit and also set an example when it comes to tackling Climate Change.

The Malta Independent on Sunday had contacted a number of Environment NGO’s regarding what topics the new Environment Minister should prioritise on.  Din L-Art Helwa, Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar, Friends of the Earth Malta and Futur Ghal Ambjent Wiehed all discussed different issues, such as improvement of the island’s traffic problems, waste issues and ODZ development. When asked what the Minister’s reactions were, he said that “I have taken into consideration of what has been said, and I am in discussion with these NGO’s.” He said that he will continue to meet with such NGOs in the upcoming days as he believes that working hand in hand with such NGOs will help move the country forward.