Malta's dedication to climate change has been constant - PN

Malta has always considered climate change an important theme and it has taken the initiative to give the problem international recognition, the PN said.

The party said in a statement that Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and Resources Minister George Pullicino were representing Malta in Copenhagen during a meeting on climate change being held between world states.

It said that in 1988, Malta had brought the climate change theme to the attention of the UN General Assembly. This was the beginning of a process which was given more priority by the international community as the years went by.

In June 2008, Malta set up a committee to draw up a strategy on the mitigation of climate change and a strategy was approved following public consultation.

Another committee was set up this year to draw up another strategy and last December, the government expressed its intention for Malta to join other developed countries under Annex 1 of the Kyoto Protocol.

The PN said Malta was continuing to take a central role in climate change, to reduce emissions. The government was providing incentives to families investing in less-polluting equipment including solar water heaters and photo voltaic panels. Antoher scheme helped people invest in roof insulation and double glazing.

The law on the efficient use of energy in buildings was also enacted and the public transport was being reformed.