‘We Must Challenge Status Quo On The Environment,’ Cyrus Engerer Urges
Labour MEP Cyrus Engerer stated that with a strong economy – one of the few going strong in the European Union – Malta must also aspire to important changes in the environment and planning sector.
“The Labour Party is the only party that can bring a change in direction on the environment”, Engerer said during the television programme Paperscan on ONE TV.
“It is time to reach the next level on the environment. We have always been the party of change, where we never accepted the status quo, and on this important theme for our health and our country, we must challenge the status quo,” Engerer said.
He emphasised the environmental change needed should not be a cosmetic one, but one that goes to the core that would leave a positive impact on the mental and physical health of all those living in Malta.
During Paperscan, Engerer said that the environmental change needed does not necessarily solely relate directly to the environment, but one that focuses on how our democracy functions, where he came out with a number of proposals that would take Malta to the next level in the protection of the environment, the fight against climate change and the restoration of our natural spaces.
“The public procurement system needs to change to one which is environmental. It should not only focus on the best prices but should reward businesses that work towards net-zero pollution and carbon-neutrality in their operations, when these apply for public tenders,” Engerer said.
“At the same time we need electoral reform so that all voices in our society are represented, where the Labour Party electoral manifesto speaks of a discussion in this regard; as well as a change in the party financing law,” Engerer continued.
He concluded by saying that “a healthy and strong environment is a right that all possess and this should be codified in Malta’s primary law”, after this same right was introduced in Malta in 2002 with the ratification of the Aarhus Convention.
The environment is a grave concern to Maltese electorate at the moment as can be seen by recent environmental protest Xebbajtuna! where thousands of people showed up to show their displeasure at the way the status quo is deteriorating their quality of life.
Youths have also expressed their desire to leave the country, citing the state of the environment as one of the top reasons.
What do you think of Cyrus Engerer’s proposals?
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