MCESD discusses strengthening Malta’s climate resilience

MCESD brought together social partners for a discussion with the Climate Action Authority on Malta’s preparedness for the impacts of climate change. The presentation by Chief Executive Officer Abigail Cutajar addressed the risks that extreme weather events pose to infrastructure, business operations and the wellbeing of workers and society.

The proposals discussed included measures to reduce energy consumption, shaded public spaces and community cooling centres, awareness campaigns, and increased greenery and measures to reduce heat in urban areas. These were followed by proposals to strengthen energy and water infrastructure, manage electricity demand more flexibly, and enhance climate resilience through urban planning. Measures were also presented to prepare health services for heatwaves and extreme weather events, strengthen road and transport infrastructure, ensure continuity of food supplies and food safety, and provide targeted support for elderly people living alone.

MCESD Chairperson Maria Micallef highlighted three key priorities: effective planning and advance preparation, education tailored to different age groups across society, and the protection of workers and society as a whole. She stressed that these are essential to ensuring the country is better prepared and more resilient in the face of climate challenges.

Climate Action Authority Chief Executive Officer Abigail Cutajar explained that the meeting with social partners aimed to consolidate a set of proposals for submission to the Government, with a view to strengthening national resilience and improving preparedness across various sectors.

The contributions will be considered in the development of the National Climate Resilience Plan, while the Authority will present a Green Paper following the consolidation of proposals by MCESD.

 

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