It's now time for action

"It is time for action". I am sure that the United Nations Secretary General will have no problem in letting me use the eloquent phrase he used during his speech to the Maltese House of Representatives which was one of the highlights of his recent visit to Malta. I cannot but agree fully with the Secretary General's call and I think that it is not only time to act but also high time that we translate our rhetoric into concrete actions.

In the current debate on climate change issues, Malta should start to deliver on its climate change mitigation. We just cannot keep mentioning the foresight shown 20 years ago when Malta insisted that the issue of climate change be included on the United Nation's agenda, and stop short of translating our words into action. It is highly acceptable that Malta commem-orates its role taken 20 years ago, but should maintain its focus on reaching its impending targets. In this context, it was significant that a few days after the Secretary General's departure, the Prime Minister, on behalf of the government, announced the submission of three applications for the development of windfarms in three sites - an offshore site at Sikka l-Bajda which is a site 1.5 km off L-Aħrax tal-Mellieħa; a site at Wied Rini, limits of Baħrija; and a site at the Ħal Far Industrial Estate. These three sites combined offer the potential of around 109 MW of energy generated from a clean source through the installation of around 36 wind turbines. The investment by the private sector involved is expected to amount to €330 million and a number of new jobs created in the process.

Most importantly, the proposed projects are expected to contribute 4.8 per cent to the national target of 10 per cent energy created from renewable sources up to 2020, that is almost half our target. The Prime Minister's announcement is the beginning, and not the arrival point, of a process which will include thorough studies, in-depth analysis and consultation processes which are all embedded in the planning process which will now commence. Hopefully, once this process is successfully exhausted, Malta can aspire to start exploiting another natural resource which is the wind.

I am sure that, as in any other major development, this announcement will generate debate, which I hope will be constructive and mature. My appeal is that this debate maintains the various contexts which led to the decision announced by the Prime Minister. The main context is the challenges and difficulties which we had to face due to Malta's extreme size and other geographical limitations. The territorial restrictions make it practically impossible to overcome the problems caused by the proximity of the windfarms to other activities which are already in place.

Another context, which I have already referred to beforehand, and which should not be overlooked are the strict targets which we are bound to reach by 2020. These targets include a specific target of energy generation from renewable sources and we must ensure that we tap into a renewable energy mix to guarantee that we honour our obligations.

Even though it is much more expensive than traditional fossil fuel, wind energy is still cheaper when compared to other forms of renewable energy such as that generated from the sun. Hence, the windfarm debate should also consider this context.

An appeal for political maturity is also very much in order here, especially given the initial remarks which have been attributed to the opposition on this subject. I cannot understand how the opposition spokesman has invoked the issue of political considerations when the government's actions have been thoroughly explained and justified. In proposing near offshore and land-based installations, the government is signalling its intent to move fast in order to honour its 2020 targets. Even though it has not excluded eventually investing in deep offshore installations, the tight deadlines do not allow us the luxury to wait for emerging technologies to develop. Hence the government's decisions to move forward with these proposals without excluding anything at this stage.

Yes, it's time to act. And it's also time for everyone to stand up and be counted. Climate change is tackled through timely, yet difficult decisions, through a sense of leadership which drives one not to waver in face of certain criticism and possible pitfalls. Climate change is not tackled through policies based on opportunism and short-term gains. It is faced with a clear direction and policies, and the government's windfarms announcement is another step in the right direction.

Mr Pullicino is Minister for Resources and Rural Affairs