The Nationalist Party has called for a national conference to be held to serve as the basis of an Action Plan on climate change. The plan would focus specifically on how to manage the impact of climate change on the environment and society.

The party held a press conference after a worrying United Nations report found that climate change is taking place at a more accelerated pace than originally thought. The impact on small island states like Malta could be devastating.  

The PN’s chief spokesperson, Peter Agius said the effect of climate change on the country is already being felt and this is the beginning of a climate emergency that requires a long-term concrete plan.

He noted that PN Leader Bernard Grech has appointed a core team to work on organising a national conference on climate change. This to ensure that such an important topic is place at the very top of the national agenda. Agius said this emergency is being neglected by a government that finds it difficult to see long-term.

PN environment spokesman Robert Cutajar spoke about the party’s proposals for the sector. He noted that, two years ago, the PN had filed a parliamentary motion that, among other things called for the appointment of a Superintendent responsible for the environment and climate change. He said the government is ignoring this subject when uprooting trees all around the country.

MZPN president Gabriel Micallef said the PN’s youth arm will be calling on youth organisations to unite in a national discussion on climate change and how to mitigate its effects. The proposals will be presented during the national conference being organised by the party.