Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/478858
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 15 MARCH 2015 Opinion 20 Opinion M ost of the studies by The European Environment Agency are often a gem. Well thought out, clearly explained, free of technical jargon, and easy to digest. Making their wake up call appeals even far more easier to strike home. The just published State Of The Environment Report is no exception. The best way to go through it is by first analysing the synthesis report that takes a hard look at the state and outlook 2015 of the environment, as well as its sharp and focused assessment of global megatrends. We had occasion to discuss this report last week during a highly interesting working lunch in the middle of the EU Environment Ministerial in Brussels that was also attended and addressed by Commissioner Karmenu Vella. Without resorting to a gloom and doom scenario, while registering its appreciation of the notable successes that environmental policies in Europe registered in the past decades, the report also stressed emphatically how our understanding of the systemic nature of many environmental challenges has evolved, while setting out the environmental policy ambitions meant to address the short, medium and long term. What is interesting about the report is that while recognising that Europe's role is shrinking in terms of size and demography within a globalised world and economy its consumption and production patterns will not only impact the European environment but also globally. As was to be expected the report focused not only on the need for the preservation and conservation of natural capital but also on its enhancement. The reason being that natural capital underpins the economy, society and human well being. Even in the introduction to the lunchtime debate the linkage between biodiversity and resilience could not have been spelt out more clearly, the reason being that biodiversity decline and eco system degradation reduce resilience. As I had occasion to mention, the marine environment calls for a greater focus and attention. The report mentions this within the context of how marine and coastal biodiversity are declining, while jeopardising increasingly needed ecosystem services. The call for adaptation measures within a climate context was also made in a timely manner, particularly due to the impact of climate change on both ecosystems and society itself. We often talk of resource efficiency and the low carbon economy, but for continued socio economic progress far more and increased resource efficiency is essential. Such an efficiency compounded with greenhouse gas emission reductions are now considered to be strategic priorities. There has been already more efficient material use right across Europe, but despite this positive trend, European consumption remains very resource intensive. As for waste management its improvement, it is not enough to mitigate the fact that Europe remains far from a circular economy. In my intervention, given the priority that our government gives to air quality, I emphasised that although one needs to ensure that air quality standards fit within the climate and energy package parameters without increasing bureaucracy or hampering efficiency, nothing must be done that could weaken our resolve in safeguarding people from environmental risks to health. For the simple reason that human well being critically depends on a healthy environment. The exposure to noise remains a major health concern in urban areas. While risk management needs to be adapted to emerging environment and health issues. Given that progress towards 2020 targets is mixed, there is no doubt that the 2050 visions and goals in understanding the systemic challenges facing Europe, call for visions and goals that require new efforts. Politicians' biggest challenge is not only to ensure that the wider EU policy framework will in reality provide a good basis for an integrated response, but even more so that our actions will actually match words. Today's investments must be seen as being essential for effecting long term transitions. On the other hand expanding our knowledge base remains a pre- requisite for managing such long term transitions. In my intervention, while stressing that this new report is highly relevant to current and future policies being discussed at the EU level, I posed the following question as to whether the SOER 2015 identifies or not how the recommended fundamental changes in the systems of production and consumption are to be achieved in a diverse Europe, in order to improve the environment, our quality of life, while not impacting negatively on innovation, job creation and growth as well as by also asking whether these recommendations recognise and take on board the diversity of member states. On transport I highlighted the fact that significant measures are needed if we are to actually reduce carbon emissions by 60% or more by mid century. There were two summary conclusions that I reached during my contribution to the debate – that there are potential areas that need policy adjustments if we expect or aspire to meet our long term goals, as well as whether after having analysed the SOER 2015 report one can safely say that the report's findings share the same priorities as the EU policies do in practice, particularly since some organisations have claimed that to date they tend to remain somewhat poles apart. Leo Brincat is Minister for Sustainable Development, the Environment, and Climate Change W e are working hard to tackle the problem of those young persons not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET). In the 18-24 age group there are around 7,000 young persons classified as NEETS. This is one of the most serious challenges that we have to face. Data available for fifth formers during the scholastic year 2012- 2013, shows that 86% continue studying, 7% go into the job market and another 7% (around 300) are categorised as NEETS. The alarming rate, however, is that at age 18, the number of those furthering their studies drops sharply by about 30%; down to 56%. These figures make me and indeed my government very unhappy and we are actively working hard to change our youths from NEETs to YEETs – Youths in Education, Employment or Training. We have made inroads but the optimum result is still far away. Very often, many do not treat this issue seriously enough. In fact, in previous years these NEETS were not even on the radar. The Youth Guarantee was not just an election promise but a new approach to tackling youth unemployment. The principle to tackle the NEET problem has been endorsed by all EU countries. It ensures that all young people under 25 – whether registered with employment services or not – get a good-quality, concrete offer within four months of them leaving formal education or becoming unemployed. The good-quality offer should be for a job, apprenticeship, traineeship, or continued education and be adapted to each individual need and situation. Statistical data shows that at age 18, there are 44% of young persons not studying. In our efforts to tackle this issue, we have introduced revision classes for SEC exams and for MCAST. In our youth programmes we have created around 750 traineeships and apprenticeships and we are working hard on the Alternative Learning Programme (ALP) to address the 7% of those young people who will not sit for SEC; this by providing vocational education and through learning by doing. Our employment figures are steadily rising and our unemployment figures have been constantly on the decrease. Good, but this does not address the situation for the future. A high rate of NEETs means a higher burden on the economy and also an overall lower standard of education. Furthermore, by neglecting the preparation of a skills base that meets the needs of the 21st Century, we would also be jeopardising our country's advantage in attracting new businesses that will help us build a more stable economy. Inactive youths lead to low income adults in the future. There are several risk factors that have to be identified and there are many individual consequences of being NEET. Having NEET status can have severe individual consequences for the young people concerned. They might experience economic disadvantages, face psychological distress, isolation and disaffection and they may disengage and participate in risky behaviour. For these reasons, being NEET is not only a waste of young people's talents. It also constitutes a challenge to society and the economy. To us, this is not acceptable. We have a dire need to create more initiatives that will provide a second chance of education to these individuals. This will enhance employability prospects of NEETs. Developing and delivering a Youth Guarantee scheme requires strong cooperation between all key stakeholders: public authorities, employment services, career guidance providers, education and training institutions, youth support services, business, employers, trade unions, etc. Improving vocational education and training systems is of the utmost importance. There is a need for a collective effort and it is a known fact that as the job market improves the rate of NEETs falls. We have addressed the NEET issue in our education policy, our employment policy, youth.inc and more specifically in our Alternative Learning Programme (ALP). We should learn from the successes of other countries and we should not be afraid to copy good and workable solutions. We need to minimise the number of youngsters who are NEET. We need to develop and expand our skill base and we must ensure that learning is fun. Learning is more effective when it is an active rather than a passive process. Evarist Bartolo is Minister of Education and Employment The wider perspective of the European environment From NEETs to YEETs Evarist Bartolo Leo Brincat Inactive youths lead to low income adults in the future. There are several risk factors that have to be identified and there are many individual consequences of being NEET