Environment Minister Miriam Dalli said that sustainability must be the backbone of all decisions, not just a secondary consideration in social, environmental and economic development.

Speaking in Parliament on Monday, Dalli presented the Annual Sustainable Development for 2023, where she said that despite all the country’s challenges, Malta has not lost hope.

On the contrary, it has continued investing in social and environmental measures while maintaining strong economic growth, Dalli said.

“This has been recognized by analysts such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF). It acknowledged government's plan in various areas, including energy, water, sewage, and climate, which are bearing fruit. Meanwhile, Malta's economy is expected to perform much better than that of other European countries,” Dalli said.

She said that economic growth must complement and be complemented by social and environmental advancements.

Dalli said the country must continue to sustain a stable and sustainable development pace, ensuring growth without depriving today’s and future generations of opportunities.

She said that next July, Malta will present its second Voluntary National Review (VNR) on the implementation of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the United Nations’ High-Level Political Forum, joining 38 other countries.

Dalli said this will be Malta’s second time presenting this review, following the first report submitted by Malta in 2018.

“Thanks to this national review, we are currently analysing national progress in implementing the 2030 Agenda. The process, which is voluntary, also allows us to mobilize and strengthen policies that promote sustainable development,” she said.

Dalli said that over the past months, several consultations and meetings have been held with Ministries, government entities, Local Councils, voluntary organizations, and representatives from the private sector, to ensure a wide, transparent, and participatory review.

She said that these measures are being integrated into the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals.

Government has divided the SDGs into five strategic goals leading to 2050, which are; transitioning to a climate-neutral, ecological, and blue economy; preserving sustainable urban development and cultural heritage; ensuring healthy lives and well-being for all; driving digital transformation, smart mobility, and connectivity; and promoting social justice.

Last year, this same strategy was adapted into a child-friendly version which was distributed to all third-year primary students in Malta and Gozo, she said.

The Directorate for Sustainable Development has also been visiting various schools and conducting interactive sessions, she said.

“I believe that every child can be an ambassador for change and sustainability. In various projects, we aim to involve children as much as possible because they are not only the future but also the present,” Dalli said, encouraging sustainable practices.

The 2024 Sustainable Development Report by the Sustainable Solutions Network ranked Malta 36th out of 167 countries, with a score of 77%, Dalli said.

Compared to the 2023 Report, Malta advanced five positions, having been ranked 41st with a score of 75.5%, she continued.

She said she is against the Opposition’s half-truths and said that IMF report confirms that Malta has sufficient energy capacity to meet its current demand, while investments are underway to prepare for future needs.

Dalli said that the second interconnector project is progressing well, and tenders have been issued for the design and development of two large-scale Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS).

She said that between 2021 and 2024, more than 1,400 families benefited from approximately €6.5 million to install around 13MWh of domestic battery storage.

Last month, government also launched a public call for the development of the first offshore floating wind farm project.

On waste separation, Dalli said that the IMF report confirms that government’s strategy to move away from landfills is working, and the public is responsibly separating waste.

She said that the Opposition criticised the waste-to-energy project for their own political agenda, but this project is a crucial investment to address Malta’s waste management challenges.

Dalli said that government recognizes that achieving these ambitious goals requires cooperation from all stakeholders, and everyone has a role to play.

“Sustainability remains at the core of the government’s agenda. From economic growth to environmental protection and social equity, Malta is striving to ensure a balance between these dimensions for the well-being of its citizens,” Dalli said.

She said that government is dedicated to fostering a sustainable, prosperous, and equitable society, to build a future where every citizen has the opportunity to thrive.

PN MP Stanley Zammit said that instead of providing a comprehensive dashboard which details what decisions need to be made, government simply presented a report collecting a list of actions government has done months ago.

He said that the report does not provide an analysis, and does not address critical questions on effectivity, impact, and alignment with the 17 SDGs.

Zammit said this is a symptom of mediocre leadership, and government did the bare minimum, only ticking the boxes.

He said that the report does not value the progress which was made towards SDG aims, and does not evaluate if government actions have led to the desired results, nor did it identify inefficiencies, shortcomings, or recommended any future actions or corrections.

“Without analysis, this report remains a superficial one, lacking the light needed to guide us to our SDG goals,” Zammit said.

He continued that the report fails to interconnect the sustainability pillars, nor does it suggest how to strengthen the relationship between them.

Zammit said that the country’s agenda on sustainable development should not stop only at its obligations, but both sides must commit and work together to create the appropriate balance and inclusivity to reach beyond these aims, and better them.

He said that the report indicates the country’s main challenge related to population growth and Malta’s exaggerated population density, and neither the report, nor government, has offered solutions to these urgent problems.

Zammit said that the country lacks many basic policies and does not know where it’s going in terms of development.

He said that through a serious and scientific analysis which identifies weak areas, modifications and policy changes can be made for more effective measures.

Zammit appealed for a more detailed analysis which shows what the country needs to be presented to the relevant Committee on sustainable development.

He said that the country must be assured that all efforts are made to invest in a better life for citizens.