The climate change strategy proposed by the Resources Ministry lacks the necessary depth and analysis to be considered a serious attempt to address the core problems of climate change and its impact on Malta, according to Friends of the Earth.

While the environmental organisation welcomed the recommendations outlined in the recently-published strategy as an intention of political will to address the issue, it said that "the committee set forth these recommendations with the clear intention to not discuss adaptation measures".

The organisation observed that the issue of monitoring was not included in the strategy and said the consultation period was also limited, in timeframe and content.

A true consultation would have included a call for interested and knowledgeable parties to state their interest in participating in and being represented on the committee before starting this exercise, the environmental organisation said.

It also submitted its recommendations in a comprehensive 28-page review document.

These include a proposal to have a green community-neighbourhood watch to co-operate with local councils by providing training on environmental challenges and how to tackle them.

According to the strategy, many recommendations, if followed, would start to be implemented later this year.

"But, unless an operational climate change department is set up, or the current units and individuals entrusted with following climate change policy are provided with the necessary financial and human resources, this will not be possible," the organisation said.