The Core Group of the Malta-EU Steering and Action Committee (MEUSAC) met again on 24 April.

On the agenda was the European Commission’s policy paper on how Europe can improve its resilience to climate change. The paper establishes a framework for action, focusing on:

• building a stronger knowledge base on the risks and impacts of climate change;
• taking account of climate change impact in key EU policies, in particular with regard to agriculture, fisheries, water resources, biodiversity protection, transport nad energy;
• combining different policy measures;
• supporting wider international efforts on adaptation;
• working in partnership with national, regional and local authorities.

The White Paper was presented to Core Group members by MEPA official, Miraine Rizzo who explained the impact of climate change on Malta, focusing on an increase in flooding, coastal zones erosion and the deterioration in fresh water quality, as well as a negative impact on tourism due to the possibility of a rise in temperatures.  Ms Rizzo said that Malta is vulnerable to climate change and thus, more data and information are required as well as a national strategy on adaptation to climate change.

Discussion among members focused on, amongst other matters:

• the need for more coordination for immediate actions for the adaptation to climate change, in particular with regard to the better usage of water and the re-use of treated water;
• higher sea water levels posing a threat to tourism; the negative impact of bad weather on the agriculture sector; higher temperatures threatening the biodiversity of marine ecosystems and consequently the fishing industry;
• whether studies are being conducted by the authorities concerned with regard to the monitoring of air quality and emissions;
• the need for small and medium sized enterprises to be better prepared for the transition to meet the goals of climate change adaptation;
• the collection of rain water;
• the sustainability of water use;
• the need for regulations from the concerned authorities for the housing sector.

PN appoints new member & substitute

The Nationalist Party has replaced its representatives on the Core Group having nominated two members of parliament, Dr. Francis Zammit Dimech and Frederick Azzopardi as member and substitute member respectively. It was also decided that Ms Grace Attard and Ms Anna Borg would share the two-year term as civil society representative on the Core Group, as they both received an equal number of votes when the elections were held.

The next meeting of the Core Group will be held on Friday, 29th May, 2009. Commissioner Joe Borg will also be participating.