The Parliamentary Secretary for Public Consultation and Information, Chris Said, has addressed a meeting of Local Councillors from the 14 Local Gozo Councils which was organized by the Local Councils Association. The key topic of the meeting was the Covenant of Mayors, forming part of the Action Plan for Energy Efficiency of Power, Realising the Potential of the European Union.

This Covenant clearly demonstrates the strong commitment that they will enter when Local Councils join together to enhance the efficiency of actions to reduce climate change. The Covenant also mentions the need for the Local Governments to share responsibilities together with the Central Government and the purpose of the EU will only be achieved if everyone contributes together.

The mayors, through this Covenant, said that they agree to act according to the objectives set by the EU to reduce emissions of CO 2 by 20% in their area, and also take action with amongst other things:

– prepare an inventory of the basis of emissions so that they may be formulated into a Plan of Sustainable Development in localities;

– submit an implementation report to the EU

— make dissemination of experience and of examples of sustainable projects in the localities to their knowledge of their communities as well as an exchange of useful examples from Member States

Chris Said said that the notion that local councils are an example for residents took a new dimension during this last week, as the Government launched the Switch campaign for efficient use of energy.

The Parliamentary Secretary also mentioned the initiative of the Gozitan Local Councils in the context of the Eco-Gozo vision, through having signed the Aalborg Charter which helps in moving towards sustainability. Under the agreement the Gozitan Local Councils have committed themselves to jointly plan their priorities on resources, capabilities and aspirations they offer in their localities.

The purpose of the Aalborg Charter is the sustainable development of localities while encouraging localities to join in the processes of Local Agenda 21 of the EU.

By this ratification, the Local Councils have agreed to jointly promote sustainable localities, and incorporate the social and environmental concept, the local values, and habits and traditions in all their local projects.

Dr Said mentioned that in the last five years central government launched a large number of valuable projects such as sustainable management of waste, and urban development, social, educational and even cultural funding from the EU.

Nevertheless there remains a need for sustainability to become an integral part of our commitments in the execution of projects in the localities by focusing on more equitable sustainable projects that integrate those aspects that form our society today without comprimising the needs of future generations.

Chris Said concluded by saying that local councils should meet the challenges that face them and carefully manage the process of the changes in lifestyle and education of residents which encouraged and strengthened sustainable development.

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