There have been attempts in the past to get things moving in the right direction. But the results were far too modest to offer any comfort, even though in terms of directional guidance they did serve a purpose.
As proved to be the case, not a single euro had been budgeted for the transition to such an economy, not even at economic study level. This was the case of the Sustainable Development Act, which had remained totally uncatered for in Budget 2013.
While our allocations for the shift to a green economy have been modest they have at least given proof of a sense of commitment.
We owe more than a word of thanks to the Irish government for having lent us their expertise during the launch of the consultation process of last year that should hopefully result in a formulated strategy and action plan throughout the present financial year.
Ever since the launch of the consultation process we have had a top Management Efficiency Unit consultant serving as project manager in our ministry with the specific task of seeing the green economy dossier through the usual bureaucratic maze while putting in place an effective core group and ensuring ministerial feedback together with the positive task of getting all stakeholders on board.
In the past months, delegations from our ministry, some of which were led by the undersigned, served to enhance our experience of the harnessing of the green economy, even in jurisdictions that might not be associated with sustainability prima facie. Such as the oil-drenched UAE.
At EU ministerial level we have tracked and tried to take on board the latest green economy developments and techniques, particularly since they are one of the major components of sustainable development itself.
The Irish experience is particularly impressive since it took place at a time when the country was going through the worst patch of its austerity measures and economic downturn.
There are many hidden positives entrenched in the whole green economy structures that can easily be overlooked and glossed over.
To succeed, governments should and must take a more proactive and strategic approach to driving green innovation
There is currently a window of opportunity to put Western economies and those far away from our shores decisively on a trajectory towards low-carbon prosperity, resource security and environmental quality.
A green economy strategy can strengthen a country’s economy by addressing major long-term weaknesses, particularly underinvestment in infrastructure and underperformance in innovation.
To succeed, governments should and must take a more proactive and strategic approach to driving green innovation.
Governments should also adopt a clearer picture to prioritise key infrastructure projects, and ensure that infrastructure investments are compatible with long-term green economy objectives.
Ultimately, a new information infrastructure is required to facilitate the evolution of a greener economy. Stakeholders have a major role to play in this whole process.
One cannot expect any tangible results in the shift towards a green economy until we are all capable of answering the question: What is a green economy?
Equally so, there must be a rationale for a green economy strategy.
State action is often associated with market failures. In this particular case I am of the opinion that state action should go beyond this. Not by becoming over-interventionist but rather by developing for itself a role in long-term strategic policy direction where ideally the key players are the external stakeholders themselves.
The top Irish government advisor who had visited Malta for the launch of the consultation process had been directly responsible for ‘Delivering Our Green Potential’, an Irish government policy statement on growth and employment in the green economy.
It is now time to move on to two important deliverables: the formulation of a strategy as well as the drawing up of an action plan together with the Ministry of Education and Employment.
I am confident we shall deliver on this front. I am committed to ensure that we will.
Leo Brincat is Minister for the Environment and Sustainable Development.