Opposition deputy leader Mario de Marco said the previous administration had taken initiatives to combat the negative effects of climate change, including the control of CO2 emissions in the public transport reform and the introduction of schemes to help change Malta’s ageing car fleet.
Other measures included better waste management, projects planned for renewable energy and the climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies. He called on the Environment Minister to update the House on the outcome of these strategies.
Dr de Marco admitted that wind farms could have left a negative impact on the environment. This also held true for solar energy projects including PV panels, which took up a lot of land.
He called on the government to re-introduce photovoltaic schemes and to remove discrimination against Maltese businesses when the government gave advantage to Shanghai Electric Power Ltd.
Dr de Marco criticised the composition of the Climate Action Board which was made up of representatives from different ministries. He said these representatives could not be objective as the board was an extension of the government.
He proposed that the Board be appointed by consensus between the government and the Opposition. Environment Shadow Minister Marthese Portelli called on the government to broaden the consultation envisaged for the National Low Carbon Strategy and the National Adaptation Strategy. Instead of being limited to ministers, consultation should include civil society. In order for this project to be successful, she said, there needed to be more public involvement and awareness.
Government whip Godfrey Farrugia said that, through the Bill, the minister was ensuring transparency and accountability on climate change and was putting responsibility on all citizens.
The EU set very stringent targets on low carbon economy and it was positive that Malta had registered a decrease in pollution last year. He believed this year would be a turning point in this regard. The Bill was an opportunity to prevent, safeguard, monitor and put into practice good standards.