As part of the Norwegian / EEA Grant for the Xrobb L-Ghagin Nature Park and Sustainable Development Centre, Nature Trust (Malta) together with one of its project partners, The University of Malta, organied a half day seminar focusing on the main issues covered in this project.

The seminar discussed a case study of this project in Malta whereby specific importance is being given to renewable energy, waste water treatment energy conservation within buildings, environmental education and biodiversity. This is the Xrobb l-Ghagin Nature Park and Sustainable Development Centre Project.

The Xrobb l-Ghagin Nature Park and Sustainable Development Centre is being managed by Nature Trust (Malta) and the Ministry for Resources and Rural Affarirs together with the University of Malta. HSBC has contributed for the afforestation project. The project whose main objective is to provide education, demostration and research in sustainable environmental solutions includes the promotion and increased use of renewable energies, wastewater and safeguarding biodiversity. It also includes the planting of 15,000 trees within disturbed areas of the area together with the safeguarding of the steppe and garigue parts of the area. The project will also feature an eco-efficient building with an environmental education centre which includes conference room and hostel facilities together with other classrooms. The project should be finalised by the end of 2010 and should be open to the public by early 2011.

This seminar discussed and demonstrated practical uses of innovative topics of interest to all university students but especially for those students from the Faculties of Architecture, Engineering, Education and Science. The speakers included a mixture of professions includuing architects, engineers, educators and accountants.

NTM Executive President – Vincent Attard said that as an environmental NGO. NTM strongly believes that apart from lobbying for a better environment, it too should contribute its share towards making a better planet. The issues of Climate Change, sustainable development and better use of water resources are the main issues concerning governments across the world. Malta being a small island too has its problems and concerns and has its international and EU commitments on such issues. With the Xrobb L-Ghagin project, Nature Trust (Malta) wants to demonstrate how much renewable energy is possible thus reducing CO2 emissions and contributing towards an improved air quality. Furthermore this project will demonstrate waste water treatment and how this can be used as second class water for other uses. All this together with education and environmental awareness are focused at creating a more responsible citizen and encourage the authorities to move faster on their strategies in Climate change and environmental protection. Mr Attard said that the Xrobb L-Ghagin Park will also be the first park for the South of Malta and it will offer a green lung to the surrounding communities who are also surrounded by heavy industry. The Centre will be energy efficient thus becoming an example for future buildings.

The Minister for Resources and Rural Affairs, George Pullicino said that the Xrobb L-Ghagin centre is a result of the full cooperation between the Ministry for Resources and Rural Affairs and the NGO Nature Trust (Malta). The sustainable development centre will be a demonstration of environmental sustainable solutions that will promote renewable energy, waste water treatment and biodiversity protection. The Minister said that he strongly believes that the Park will be a good source of education and recreation both for visiting students and the general public. Moreover a part of land that up to now had been in an abandoned state, will be transformed into a centre for education and a live experience of sustainable development.

The Minister stated that he is satisfied and supports any initiatives that are focused into creating environmental awareness. The worst scenario that could happen to us is that we are not prepared for the challenges coming our way due to lack of knowledge and information.

The seminar was addressed by Orland Bonavia who is the NTM Project Coordinator for the Xrobb L-Ghagin project who spoke of the project and also on waste water treatment. Architect Ruben Borg discussed the issue of sustainable rehabilitation strategy, while Prof Cyril Spiteri Stains spoke on the issue of Renewable Energy.

Further speakers included Dr Paul Pace who is a lecturer in the faculty of Education and the NTM EkoSkola national Coordinator who spoke on the importance of environmental education, Ms Glorianne Borg Axisa who covered the issue of Geographical aspects of the park, and Architect Charmain Fenech who spoke of the importance of energy conservation within Buildings.

The seminar came to an end with a discussion among those present

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