Climate change committee appointed

A committee for climate change has been set up to address Malta's national obligations to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and tap into sources of alternative energy, the Department of Information said.

The committee, to be chaired by David Spiteri Gingell, includes representatives from various sectors who will work to ensure that Malta fulfils its EU obligations to reduce CO2 emissions by 20 per cent and ensure that at least 10 per cent of energy is generated from alternative sources by 2020.

Mr Spiteri Gingell is the CEO of Enemalta. The other members of the committee are the permanent secretary within the Ministry for Resources Christopher Ciantar, environment director within Mepa Martin Seychell, director of the energy department within the Malta Resources Authority Godwin Sant, senior lecturer within the university's engineering department Joe Cilia, chief technical officer of Enemalta Peter Grima, consultant in environmental law Simone Borg, chief engineer at the Hilton Hotel Joseph Restall, and vice president of the Church's Environment Commission Paul Pace.

Following the initiative of Resources Minister George Pullicino the committee will be assisted by two technical experts provided by Germany's Environment Ministry. The committee is expected to start its work soon.