35,600 trees and shrubs have been planted by the Government in various parks and natural sites in more than 54 localities across Malta and Gozo last year, it said.

In a statement, Minister for the Environment, Energy and Enterprise Miriam Dalli explained that these trees will be one of Malta’s first contributions to the European Union objective of planting three billion trees by 2030.

During a tree planting activity at Majjistral Park, the minister explained that the trees that different government entities are planting as part of this environmental initiative will be registered on MapMyTree, a web application launched by the European Commission. Ambjent Malta is coordinating Malta’s participation in this application.

This app, which is available at mapmytree.eea.europa.eu, is open to everyone, and not only for government entities. Individuals, businesses, and organisations who plant indigenous trees to enrich Malta’s biodiversity and reduce the impacts of the climate emergency can register them to contribute towards the attainment of the three billion trees target.

The Minister thanked thanked the Government entities, voluntary organisations and business who are planting more and more trees and shrubs in Malta and Gozo every year.

The EU established its three billion trees target by 2030 as part of the European Green Deal, an environmental plan for Europe’s sustainability and environmental resilience, in reaction to the 2020 pandemic. This target also forms part of the EU Biodiversity Strategy 2030.

Ambjent Malta Director Josianne Muscat explained that whilst measuring Europe’s progress towards this goal, the MapMyTree web app is also raising awareness on the importance of afforestation and environment protection in Malta.

Photo: DOI/Clodagh O’Neill

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