Labour leader Joseph Muscat this afternoon promised an improvement in practices having an environmental impact at Labour HQ, saying the PL had to lead by example on the environment.

He made his comments after a commission which he had appointed presented its report on an environmental audit of Labour headquarters.

The commission was led by Prof Victor Axiak (picture).

Dr Muscat said the environmental audit at headquarters was a pilot project and such work would eventually be extended to labour clubs.

The Labour leader referred to the private member’s bill on climate change, due to be debated in Parliament tomorrow, and said this was no gimmick and the PL wanted a commitment from the government that it would legislate on the subject.

He said the environment was a pillar of labour policies and would be considered in all decisions which the party took.

Opposition environment spokesman Leo Brincat said the PL wanted the government, opposition, experts and NGOs to work together on climate change legislation and measures.

The audit report was largely favourable of the state of PL headquarters but recommended action for better temperature control and less use of paper, among other areas.