Way to go! A total of 505kg of waste, which included recylclables, mixed, bulky, plastic, jablo, wood pellets and cigarette butts were collected during a number of clean-ups held in Wied Qirda, Delimara, Buskett, Dwejra and Ghar Hasan on the occasion of Earth Day.

Minister Farrugia said that environmental protection was among the most important measures of the electoral manifesto. “We have undertaken various initiatives to this end and works are ongoing; from interventions to protect our natural heritage, including clean-ups of nature sites such as those we are participating in today. We implemented a number of afforestation projects, proposed new areas to become Natura2000 sites, increased protection of various natural areas, and undertook habitat restoration projects,” the Minister said.

“Our most noble duty is that of protecting present and future generations and protecting our planet. The pandemic brought this into focus, as well as the very real threat of climate change and environmental degradation that we face. To this end, we are working on various strategies and actions to move towards a zero-carbon economy. Just this week, we launched the first national campaign on climate change, and will be publishing the Low Carbon Development Strategy shortly,” Minister Farrugia said.

The Minister spoke of various manifesto measures which are nearing completion, now that the government has launched its plan for a long-term waste strategy and announced the largest investment in waste management in Malta. The need for an entity in charge of Natura2000 sites was also addressed through Ambjent Malta, and continued to be tackled through recent works, projects and the engagement of environmental rangers.

Joining Minister Farrugia was Minister Carmelo Abela who commented that it is our duty to do whatever it takes to improve our environment, as a sustainable world is not a choice but a basic need. Minister Abela mentioned, amongst others, the introduction of the obligation by the state to safeguard our environment and the heritage of our country into the Constitution, the obligation that the government’s initiatives and projects are environmentally-friendly, the planting of tens of thousands of trees (more than 52,000 between 2018 and 2020 alone), as well as the planting of a tree for every new born child.