During today’s conference held in Gozo by the Ministry for Economy and Industry together with Mimcol, Minister for the Environment Aaron Farrugia joined economic vision leader Economy Minister Silvio Schembri and Minister for Gozo Clint Camilleri to discuss Malta’s current environmental situation, as well as what the future holds for the country with regards to sustainability.

Minister Silvio Schembri said that Government is committed to realising robust economic growth without jeopardising the longevity of Malta’s environment for future generations. The Economic Vision for Malta 2021-2031 encourages activities which protect the environment as a key pillar for a better quality of life with the safeguarding of natural resources leading to the development of new economic niches, investment and an improved quality of life.

Economy Minister Silvio Schembri, Gozo Minister Clint Camilleri and Environment Minister Aaron Farrugia discussion Malta’s economic growth plan for the next 10 years

Minister Silvio Schembri emphasised that the growth and the safeguarding of the environment are seen as integrated, rather than opposing forces.

“Environmental degradation is no longer ‘sine qua non’ to economic success. Rather than seeing the environment and sustainability as a trade-off to economic growth, Government see it as an enabler that can help cultivate new niches. For example – tapping into reconstituted stone, something that has been used in neighbouring countries such as Greece and Cyprus. We can look at sectors such as “marine biotech, a billion-euro industry that thrives and maximises return in weather conditions much like ours”, said Schembri.

A notable point of discussion from Minister Farrugia is that “the pandemic has one silver lining”, going on to highlight how the government and the Ministry for the Environment in particular managed to achieve around 20 years of reforms in the past 500 days. Beyond Malta’s well-received low carbon development strategy, the Minister stated that many plans which have been left on the shelf for years have been and will be put into effect in the coming years.

When asked about the carbon neutrality plan, the Minister stated that the first phase of the plan will lead us into 2030, with measures directly mostly towards the transport sector, namely the plan to electrify 60,000 cars, electrify Malta’s public sector fleet and move into others sectors in the subsequent years. The Minister highlighted that transport is Malta’s largest sector with regards to carbon emissions, with buildings being second largest.

Other plans include the focus on price parity between electric cars and internal combustion cars, with the current target of achievement being the year 2025, which the Minister highlighted may be delayed due to the pandemic. A faster and more efficient technological framework was also discussed, along with government finances planning to be strengthened once again, with the latter being heavily affected due to the pandemic.

Minister for Gozo Clint Camilleri addressing plans for Gozo’s economic future

Minister for Gozo Clint Camilleri expressed his satisfaction that for the first time, we are once again attracting Gozitans to the island of Gozo and others who are seriously considering relocating to Gozo. Regarding development he stated that it is crucial that Gozo does not loose its characteristics. He stated that in recent years the Government has realised that the only way for Gozo to move forward was through improved connectivity.

The national public consultation on Malta’s Economic Vision 2021-2031 will be continuing in the coming days. All those interested can read the consultation document online on https://economicvision.mimcol.com.mt/ and send their feedback by the end of July.

This economic vision is being spearheaded by the Ministry for Economy and Industry together with MIMCOL.

#MaltaDaily