The Maltese government will continue to implement planned measures and step up as necessary towards the fight to climate change, Minister for the Environment, Climate Change and Planning Aaron Farrugia has told The Malta Independent.
He was replying to a series of questions by this newsroom after the publication of a UN report that found that the effects of climate change could be more accelerated than previously anticipated.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report, which calls climate change clearly human-caused and “unequivocal,” has made more precise and warmer forecasts for the 21st century than it did last time it was issued in 2013.
The IPCC report said earth’s climate is getting so hot that temperatures in about a decade will probably blow past a level of warming that world leaders have sought to prevent.
Speaking to this newsroom, Farrugia referred to recently-introduced initiatives, such as the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) and said the government will increase action where necessary.
“The LCDS that was published for public consultation is a first of its kind that provides a holistic approach towards mitigation and adaptation of climate change. As the IPCC report highlighted, global emissions need to be reduced in the coming decades but at the same time it also confirms that the situation is urgent and hence we need to prepare to adapt in the face of climate change. Indeed, the LCDS includes also a first 10-year plan with a list of measures to mitigate GHG emissions including a package of transport measures - electrification of vehicles, extension of free public transport and incentives to walking, cycling and other active transport such as e-bikes and pedelacs; and a package of energy-efficiency in buildings measures such as PVs schemes, support for solar water heaters, heat pumps, insulation and double-glazing as well as energy efficiency support measures for industry and services sectors,” Farrugia said.
The minister said the Fit for 55 package was adopted by the European Commission in a timely manner as it signals commitment by the EU in response to the report findings. The EU is calling for higher ambition and it has increased its original -40% reduction target by 2030 to -55% as agreed by Heads of State in December last year. The fit for 55 includes legislative proposals to revise the current policy instruments to increase emissions.
“The most relevant element for Malta in this package is the national target to reduce emissions from non-ETs sectors - transport, fuel use in buildings, waste, agriculture and industrial processes. Malta has successfully argued within the EU the challenges it faces in attaining emissions reduction and this has been duly recognized in the ‘Fit for 55’ proposal. Hence, our focus is now on the delivery of the LCDS and the achievement of the first milestone by 2030.”
“Apart from these startegies, year after year Government has announced various initiatives and implemented projects to bring about this transition by investing in schemes for PVs, schemes for electric cars, solar water heaters, and water pumps. Water conservation projects and afforestation project have been numerous, and green infrastructure projects in urban areas are on the increase with millions invested in recent years alone. Malta has achieved significant emissions reduction as our country shifted from the highly pollutant Heavy Fuel Oil to gas. This, aside from the Government’s commitment to invest in a second interconnector, amongst other reforms and initiatives. Similarly, half of the Resilience and Recovery Fund will be will be used for greening initiatives as it will support the delivery of the LCDS in the next couple of years by financing such measures.”
Farrugia noted that, as an island state in the Mediterranean, Malta is vulnerable to climate change.
“Besides sea level rise which can impact our coastline and the economic sectors that depend on it such as tourism and maritime, we are also exposed to droughts through longer extreme heats. As a country with water scarcity, droughts will impact our livelihood including our agriculture and fisheries.The IPCC report confirms the global threat of climate change and the urgent need to take measures today to mitigate global GHG emissions to ensure a more sustainable future. This report has clearly highlighted climate change as the cause of the extreme weather conditions being experienced globally in the last months and the natural disasters.”
He said the government will continue the action and step up as necessary towards the fight to climate change. “Last April, a campaign to raise awareness on climate change, ClimateOn, was launched. This is crucial for a successful delivery of the Low Carbon Development Strategy as most emissions reduction require effort from government, civil society, commercial operators as well as individuals. All this will culminate this year pre-COP26 through a national conference whereby the government will launch the adoption of the Low Carbon Development Strategy.”