Alternattiva Demokratika chairman Arnold Cassola yesterday stressed that Malta lags seriously behind in the implementation of the necessary measures designed to help it achieve two major targets by 2020, namely to obtain 10 per cent of its total energy output from alternative sources and the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions by 20 per cent.

Prof. Cassola was speaking during a meeting with the chairman of the government's Committee on Climate Change, David Spiteri Gingell.

Ralph Cassar, the spokesman on energy, industry and transport, emphasised that AD has repeatedly called for measures incentivising the use of alternative energy sources.

Carmel Cacopardo, AD spokesman on sustainable development and local government, drew attention to the fact that the framework for the government's action plan with special reference to climate change, had already been incorporated in the National Plan for Sustainable Development and approved by the Cabinet last year.

He added that if Malta is to succeed in its efforts to achieve the set targets and increase its contribution to reduce the negative effects of climate change, two major issues need to be addressed.

The first is that the generation of alternative sources of energy has to be given top priority. Secondly, there must be a well planned effort, backed by all the political parties and the population at large, with one aim: the drastic reduction in the number of vehicles on the road.

Mr Cacopardo reiterated that not only should all diverse forms of transport, including marine, be encouraged but immediate action should be taken to promote the use of bicycles, initially over short distances, by adding significantly the number of bicycle lanes. The proposal would have considerable health advantages.