A number of events will take place this month to raise awareness about air quality, Environment Minister Leo Brincat said.

Unlike previous years, the activities would not only be limited to car-free day, which had been met with enthusiasm by some and scepticism by others.

One of the initiatives will be a public discussion on air quality, which will take place on Friday at 6.30pm at Triq Wesgħa Kunsill tal-Ewropa in Fgura – in the car park opposite the HSBC branch.

The main speaker will be Karl Ludwig Huttner, an air quality expert from the German Federal Ministry of Environment and Nature Conservation. Mr Brincat said a number of talks will be held with Mr Huttner during his visit.

Voluntary groups came up with very creative and innovative ideas

Addressing the news conference in the car park in the middle of the busy Sa Maison junction, Mr Brincat said Pieta was one of the many areas impacted by poor air quality, which had deteriorated over the years.

Three main factors contributed: energy, transport and unmitigated construction.

“Once the Government’s energy plans are implemented, pollution from that sector will decrease and we will turn our focus to transport,” Mr Brincat said.

The awareness campaign also has the collaboration of other ministries, including education, health and transport, together with the planning and transport authorities.

Car-free day will still be marked on September 22 and Mr Brincat praised the initiatives of a number of councils and voluntary groups who “came up with very creative and innovative ideas”.

The planning authority was organising a separate car-free day for its employees.