ADPD – The Green Party Chairperson Carmel Cacopardo has stated that a serious environmental strategy requires a long-term vision because decisions concerning the environment – if implemented properly – require their due time to leave the desired results.
Speaking at a press conference outside the offices of the ERA, he stressed that many studies carried out over the years have been ignored, or worse still the opposite of what had been recommended has been carried out.
Secretary General Dr Ralph Cassar highlighted how the ERA National Strategy for the Environment 2050 [1] once again avoids to pinpoint examples of unsustainable developments such as the proposed Gozo airport, and the tunnel between Malta and Gozo; it fails to point out that it does not make sense to have a race track anywhere in Malta, let alone on land earmarked for industrial purposes, especially considering the limitations of Malta’s land resource.
He also mentioned that the observations that the party submitted [2] on the National Strategy for the Environment includes proposals related to transport, renewable energy, Local Plans, waste, tourism and water use. “We need to proceed urgently to the next stage: no more talk but specific action please.”
Dr Cassar pointed out that “every industry should have a clear implementable plan for waste reduction and greater efficiency in the use of raw materials. All incentives, including fiscal ones, should be tied closely to energy efficiency, use of materials and based on zero-waste targets. It is ultimately Government’s responsibility to approve and implement the strategies put forward by state agencies. So it needs to get moving.”
Dr Cassar mentioned that it is not acceptable that the documentation related to this strategy was published in English only. “It is not right that Maltese has been completely ignored. An effective discussion can take place also in Maltese.”
Cacopardo said that there is no longer time available for never-ending discussions. It is well known that there is no political will for serious action with respect to environmental matters – from climate change, to pollution, traffic, land use and energy.
“It is Government’s duty to implement robust and effective measures . However, laws are futile if there are no penalties if they are not followed and if legal remedies are not available if the targets are not met. The solutions are well known, but all governments have failed to implement them. There are various valid principles in the strategy, however the rather vague wording means that it will probably remain simply words on paper, as we have seen with previous strategies,” he said.
Cacopardo went out to say that “the implementation of such a strategy is dependent on political will for it to be carried out, with well-defined targets and responsibilities, as well as the commitment of Government to make all the necessary resources available.”
“Linked to this is the taxation system : incentives and fiscal disincentives should push towards the ecological transition and promote the necessary wellbeing for a better quality of life, and better urban and natural environments,” he said. “Clientelism, nepotism and a ‘supermarket’ policy has let us to where we are today – we are in a climate emergency which leads to economic and social crises. We cannot continue to fight nature but need to work hand-in-hand with it.”
Cacopardo added that,”we have had many consultations and reports over the years but all governments have ignored the technical advice given, because the available political vision only extends to 4 or 5 years, that is from one election to the next.”
“A serious environmental strategy requires a long-term vision – over at least 25 years. This is necessary because decisions concerning the environment – if implemented properly – require their due time to leave the desired results. This is the only way that we would see the desired results,” concluded Cacopardo.