In a continued attempt to develop a sustainable and holistic future for Malta’s economy and environment, Wednesday’s conference addressing the public consultation on Malta’s 10-year economic plan tackled the importance of the public’s contribution to the aforementioned economic plan. Throughout the entirety of the conference titled Future Proof Malta 2021-2031, the importance of the stakeholders’ contribution to the entire process was highlighted multiple times, with Economy Minister stating that the document is by the people and for the people of Malta.
The conference, held in Gozo, tackled the ‘Environment’ pillar of the entire economic plan, with the five pillars being discussed being quality of life and sustainable economic development, high quality infrastructure and investment, education and employment, environment, and good governance and the rule of law. These pillars are the formative elements of Malta’s economy and through collaboration with industry professionals and the public’s contribution, Malta’s sustainable future becomes more realistically attainable.
Economy Minister Hon. Silvio Schembri added that in order to safeguard’s Malta’s future generations, the Government will facilitate and enable a smooth transition towards a circular and sustainable economy across all sectors of economic activity. This while embracing new alternative energy practices to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.
Speaking about Gozo, Schembri noted that protecting agricultural and rural land in Gozo remains a priority in maintaining a strategy of ECO-Gozo. Malta’s sister island was an essential part in the government’s holistic plans for a sustainable future. Minister for Gozo Clint Camilleri shed light on the fact that in the past years, unemployment rates dropped whilst quality investment grew.
At one point, Minister Camilleri responded to questions regarding the highly-discussed Malta-Gozo tunnel, answering that it is a topic which has been widely considered in the past years and the fact that having Gozo connected to the main island and the rest of Europe is of utmost importance and being worked on tirelessly by the Ministries and the government in general.
The statements echo Minister Schembri’s sentiments that economic growth and environmental sustainability should not be seen as opposing forces but rather enablers of one another, where the two factors go hand in hand during Malta’s efforts towards a sustainable future.
The visionary economic document states that a future-proof Malta in the environment sector by 2031 can be achieved through various measures such as:
• Efficient use of resources, including land, and better waste management
• Combatting emissions and pollution
• Achieving carbon neutrality
• Providing green finance
• Protecting Malta’s seas and harnessing the blue economy
• Preservation and restoration of nature habitats
Any and all stakeholders are encouraged to review the consultation document and submit their feedback by visiting https://economicvision.mimcol.com.mt/ which highlights the Ministry’s plans for economic growth through 5 pillars, including the one discussed on Wednesday.
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