Maltese economist contributed to Nobel Peace Prize

Lino Briguglio, Head of the Economics Department at the University of Malta, yesterday received his certificate as one of the lead authors of the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which last year received the Nobel Peace Prize.

The award was shared by persons who, like Prof. Briguglio, contributed to the scientific work of the IPCC.

The IPCC has drawn up a series of scientific reports over the last two decades, utilising expertise of climate experts and other experts. Prof. Briguglio's role was that of an economist.

The award shows, he said, that the international community is finally recognising that climate change is an alarming reality.

The awareness is also growing in Malta. The islands will lose most of their beaches if the water level goes up by half a metre, he said.

The IPCC was established in 1988 by the World Meteorological Organisation and the United Nations Environment Programme.

It is tasked with assessing scientific data on the risk of human-induced climate change, its potential impacts and options for mitigation.