Malta has embarked on establishing a dedicated Climate Action Authority, placing it among the global pioneers in addressing the urgent environmental crisis. This announcement was made by Miriam Dalli, Minister for the Environment, Energy, and Regeneration of the Grand Harbour, during the ‘ClimateON: Today’s Legacy’ conference.

Minister Dalli underscored Malta’s long-standing tradition of pioneering innovations in tackling environmental challenges. “Historically, Malta has always been at the forefront of innovation – we were among the first countries to eliminate the use of coal in our energy generation, we switched from Heavy Fuel Oil to gas, we are investing in renewables, and we are introducing innovative concepts such as green bonds and the ESG platform. Now, we are also at the forefront of the process of setting up the Climate Action Authority. That’s why I’m proud of my country and what we constantly work for,” she remarked.

The establishment of the Climate Action Authority marks a crucial milestone in Malta’s climate agenda, aiming to streamline efforts and policies across various ministries, entities, and authorities. Minister Dalli emphasized the necessity for integrated action, stating, “This is an important milestone because we want to see that all efforts and policies in favor of climate action are integrated under one roof to ensure coordination between the different ministries, entities, and authorities.”

The conference, part of Malta’s ongoing national dialogue process, served as a platform to galvanize collective action against climate change. Minister Dalli stressed the imperative of inclusive participation, stating, “Climate action transcends governments. Mitigation and adaptation are everyone’s responsibility and mission.”

Stakeholders from diverse sectors including academia, science, public and private sectors, youth, and civil society converged at the conference. Notable speakers included Prof. Simone Borg, Malta’s Ambassador for Climate Change, Jacob Werksman from the European Commission’s Directorate General for Climate Action, and Brad Archer, CEO of the Australian Climate Change Authority.

Reflecting on international best practices, Minister Dalli highlighted the importance of learning from global counterparts. “We have looked at what Australia and other countries are doing so that we model our authority on best practices. I truly believe that our geographical reality and the heightened effects of climate change on island states should make us the most vociferous and the most determined,” she asserted.

The panel discussion, moderated by journalist Mark Laurence Zammit, featured experts including Prof. Godfrey Baldacchino, economist Dr. Jonathan Spiteri, MCESD chairperson David Xuereb, and ESG expert Rachel Decelis, fostering insightful discussions on climate action strategies.

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