Malta’s parliament is set to declare a climate emergency, government whip Byron Camilleri confirmed in parliament during a PN debate looking to force through the issue.

The declaration will form part of an amendment to the Climate Action Act, will hopefully ensure that government reaches the country’s international targets for 2030 and 2050.

The motion to insert the amendment will be put forward later today.

The announcement came during a debate on a PN motion to push through a climate emergency declaration. 

However, Camilleri described the motion as riddled with scientific mistakes and failed to acknowledge the aforementioned Climate Action Act, passed in 2015.

Camilleri added that the declaration will reconfirm the commitment established in the act. However, in a slip-up, it was earlier said that Malta had already made the declaration.

He also rubbished attempts to establish a  permanent parliamentary committee on the issue and the creation of  Superintendent of Climate Change. Camilleri said that a Climate Action Board was already set up, as was an Ambassador for Climate Change.

While announcing the motion, Azzopardi, who stressed the importance of tackling the issue with urgency for the good of both the climate and public health, laid into the cruise ship industry as a key polluter, adding that a solution could be found simply.

He referred to shore-side power supply for cruise liners, something which the government has said it is exploring.

Camilleri, while noting its effects, said Azzopardi was attacking one industry when there were other major factors.

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