The current changes in the planet's climate are transforming the world. The last two decades saw some of the warmest years on record with extreme weather events happening globally, such as forest fires, heatwaves and floods. These natural occurrences are becoming more frequent both in Europe and around the world. The European Union (EU) is taking action towards climate change through ambitious policies to meet its greenhouse gas emissions reduction target for 2020. It has put forward a plan to further cut emissions by at least 55% by 2030. By 2050, Europe aims to become the world’s first climate-neutral continent.
The European Commission has recently launched the European Green Deal, an ambitious package of measures ranging from cutting greenhouse gas emissions, to investing in cutting-edge research and innovation, with the aim to preserve Europe’s natural environment.
Malta has committed to also move towards the EU’s collective efforts of climate neutrality by 2050. Indeed the same ambition is also embedded in Malta’s post-pandemic economic vision. This change calls for a paradigm shift towards policy-making, which centres around intelligent development principles. And within this line of thought Malta will fulfil its commitment though the adoption of the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS). Furthermore, it calls for further public awareness and education to facilitate this transaction.
In response to the climate change crisis, the Ministry for the Environment, Energy and Enterprise (MEEE) has launched the 2nd Edition of the nation-wide public awareness campaign to promote climate action. Under the slogan ‘Activate Change’, the #ClimateOn campaign aims at changing the general public’s habits towards a more innovative way of life. It aims at instilling thoughts for solutions and highlight the benefits of a low-carbon society. The objective of the Campaign is to turn on action to find practical solutions to address climate change. It highlights the fact that through simple but innovative ideas one can make a difference. The Campaign targets to address the Climate Change crisis through climate mitigation and adaptation initiatives, youth empowerment, education, training and awareness dissemination. It will be engaging with many different stakeholders through a variety of sectors, to deliver the message for change in everyday actions to combat climate change.
Central to the campaign will be the concepts within the Low Carbon Development Strategy, which will establish the road ahead towards a low-carbon and climate resilient future by 2050. The governance framework of the LCDS will pay particular attention to the active participation of stakeholders at all levels of society, as well as the promotion of climate related education. Capacity building is also identified as a key component, since it fosters the necessary expertise, research and innovation in the area of low carbon development.
We need to start now. We can make a smooth and cost-effective transition to a low-carbon future. The more we delay climate action, the higher the costs. So join us to explore the possibilities.
Help us ‘Active Change’ and follow us on
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