Concrete action should be taken for cleaner energy sources, not only because of climate change but also as a means to improve air quality and people’s health and to reduce the country’s total dependence on fossil fuels, AD said.
During an activity on climate change in Sliema, AD spokesman on industry, energy and transport Ralph Cassar mentioned a study conducted by a Malta-based scientist which showed that despite all the rhetoric by Prime Minster Lawrence Gonzi, Malta was still far from reaching the EU target of a reduction in emissions, achieving the 10 per cent of energy from renewable sources by 2020.
The activity was organised by Alternattiva Demokratika Zghazagh together with Moviment Graffitti, Zminijietna Voice of the Left and Koperattiva Kummerc Gust.
Mr Cassar said:
“The lack of vision in this area is incredible. Words come cheap but action is sorely lacking. Lawrence Gonzi is showing no leadership when it comes to taking the necessary steps to wean Malta off its total dependence on oil.
“The share of renewable energy technologies in Malta is risible, with less than 0.01 per cent from photovoltaics and one per cent savings from solar water heaters.
“An immediate measure can be the installation of solar water heaters on 50,000 houses throughout Malta and Gozo and the freezing of building heights to ensure that solar equipment can be installed without the fear that adjacent buildings do not shadow this equipment because of changes in planning regulations”.
AD chairman Michael Briguglio added that it was clear that as things stood Malta would not reach its targets.
“Enemalta lacks credibility, and government policy regarding energy generation is to say the least baffling.
“The choice of dirty energy at the Delimara power station is a case in point,” he said.
Mr Briguglion said that the same could be said for the lack of action to introduce a feed-in-tariff system.
Sustainable development was being used mainly as a buzzword, and not as the basis for a clear policy framework.
“Unfortunately our bigger political parties often have a short-time horizon and climate change issues have longer-term aspect impacts, and this may be one reason why such issues are often put on the back-burner in Maltese politics.
“If we seriously wish to address these issues we should mainstream sustainable development and climate change in our national plans and policies, and take all the steps necessary to implement and enforce measures that are conducive to a better and more sustainable quality of life,” he said.