Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1305625
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 1 NOVEMBER 2020 11 BUDGET2021 EARLIER this week, the Nationalist Par- ty presented their socio-economic vision based on twelve pillars. This PN's so called vision gives little to no attention to one of the most sig- nificant issues affecting our citizens to- day: the environment they live in. This approach stands in stark contrast to the five pillars of Government's economic vision, one of which includes carbon neutrality by 2050. Our ministry has been working on the low carbon development strategy which will guide our country towards this car- bon neutrality objective. It will leads us to decarbonise the economy and lead by example: providing the right policies and measures in key sectors. This is being done because as Gov- ernment, we understand that economic growth is meaningless unless our econ- omy can be sustainable and resilient to phenomena such as climate change -- or a global pandemic. It is likewise meaningless unless it can lead to improved wellbeing and quality of life for all -- a concept which hardly seems to be a priority for the Opposi- tion, according to their new vision. At the same time Government has pre- sented yet another impressive budget, surpassing all expectations: the largest budget our country has ever had, in the midst of a pandemic which has brought economies across the globe on their knees. Despite the uncertainty and despite the fiscal difficulties that this situation has brought upon our country, Gov- ernment has saved up for a rainy day and this rainy day has come. We will be giving and not taking, continuing to in- vest in important sectors: environment, infrastructure, jobs. Unlike most coun- tries, we did not need to opt for auster- ity measures. Government has recognised and exer- cised both its fiscal and social responsi- bility and used it to invest in the meas- ures that matter the most. The pandemic above all has shown us the importance of remaining resilient, and in a strategic manner: to withstand economic, social, and environmental shocks - not remain vulnerable within our socio-econom- ic fabric. Above all, ensuring that this strategy is sustainable. This budget ad- dresses this very problem, also with re- spect to the intrinsic link between the environment, economy, and wellbeing. As highlighted in the budget, the SPED review and work on the Nation- al Strategy for the Environment will continue; environmental rangers will be put in place for the first time; Mal- ta will see new afforestation initiatives, green walls, a grant for the conversion of ICE to gas cars. With an allocation of €220 million from the Resilience and Recovery Fund, a significant allocation of these funds will aid our ecological transition. Green bonds will become a thing, giving rise to green economy projects which will help us to continue combat- ing climate change. In the meantime, our long-term-waste management plan is almost complete and for the first time ever, we will address the challenge of commercial waste. Notably, Government will also be placing a total ban on the importation of single-use plastic products as of 2021 and a ban on sale of these products in 2022. While we continue our work on envi- ronment regulation, afforestation, and biodiversity protection in rural areas - we are also seeking to tackle once and for all the places where people send most of their time: the urban areas in which they live and work in. To this end, a number of urban greening in- itiatives will continue to be launched throughout the coming year. The necessary infrastructure for a bev- erage container refund scheme will also be put into place, allowing us to maxim- ise the opportunities brought about by the circular economy. These are just a few of the measures and targets that Government is looking at in the area of environment. The PN's vision, on the other hand, has neither vi- sion nor targets: making climate targets and even harder ask. In the meantime, we are well on our way to our ecological transition: a green and resilient Malta. Two visions, no contest OPINION Aaron Farrugia Aaron Farrugia is Minister for the Environment, Climate Change and Planning Government has recognised and exercised both its fiscal and social responsibility and used it to invest in the measures that matter the most