Full speech of Hon. Stanley Zammit at MARE Summit 2022
The following is the full, unadulterated speech that Hon. Stanley Zammit, Spokesperson of the Opposition for Planning, Construction, Research and Innovation, delivered on the second day of MARE Summit.
Il-wara nofs in-nhar it-tajjeb! Good afternoon … I would like to thank the organisers for this opportunity and thank your goodselves for being here.
Being a mechanical engineer by profession, my expertise spanning over 27 years working in the private sector in various roles and departments, my 10 years experience as a Local Councillor, and, obviously, the trust of the electorate through their vote and that of the Nationalist Party, lead me here as a parliamentarian and as the Spokesperson of the Opposition for Planning, and, Research and Innovation.
The place … which is quite difficult to miss … at the entrance of Valletta, housing the Maltese legislative pillar is the House of Representatives. This building, expected to be the home of democracy, conceived by Renzo Piano, has been designed with various factors in mind over and above the basic functionality requirements.
It’s system of cladding, also intended to represent honeycombs inspired by the name of Malta which derives from Melite meaning honey, ensures that whilst the building is naturally lit, direct sunlight is limited. The temperature within the building is being controlled by means of heat pumps making use of the stable temperature of the immense mass of the rock below. The use of the flat roof is maximised by the installation of a photovoltaic system and consequently getting the building closer to zero CO2 emission.
Whilst liberating the Presidential Palace, a historical building and the seat of authority in Malta ever since the times of the Order of St John, from operational and administrative activity, a car park just inside the entrance of the capital city was replaced by an environmentally friendly building which went through an iterative planning process and included a number of design changes. Through this instance the State gave a good example of sustainable development.
It is such a wholistic approach which gives value to a building … the functionality, the respect to, and enhancement of the surroundings, the openness, the contribution to a better environment, the aesthetics … all complimenting each other and not any being sacrificed to any other, even if constraints are a common factor.
It is the duty of the Government to induce and stimulate this harmony and lead by example.
Analysis of the climate-energy objectives shows that Malta is still one of the 15 Member States which fall below the national targets related to CO2 emissions. Financial instruments concerning urban and rural development, structural funds, research and development programs and state aid policy should be aimed to achieve the climate and energy related goals, through reengineered and appropriate planning policies and processes.
The Energy Performance Certificate requirements should not be a mere transposition of yet another EU directive (2010/31/EU). The first certificates issued way back in 2009 should have already been renewed for the second 10 year period. What added value has this certification process given to dwellings, buildings, private and public? How and to which extent was the energy performance of buildings, taking into account outdoor climatic and local conditions, as well as indoor climate requirements and cost-effectiveness, improved?
The Government is duty-bound to promote, encourage and facilitate synergy between all the stakeholders in order to enhance the social responsibility.
Increase in active participation leads to better governance. This includes greater and more effective participation of all the stake holders, especially environmental NGOs and Local Councils, at decision making levels, including on the planning board and, including voting powers. Moreover, real consultation at all levels should become obligatory.
Why is it made so difficult for the person on the street to communicate, get information or file an objection with the Planning Authority? The complicated planning policies, which are sometimes even contradictory, and the red-taped planning process result in much more ambiguity than certainty. On one hand all stakeholders admit to the extremely urgent need for a radical reform in the planning process, reviewed and revised local plans and overhauled policies. On the otherhand, the Government has been dragging its feet for years to take up initiative. Every day which goes by is yet another opportunity for certain people to abuse of the system, like in the case of submitting multiple applications for a permit, the outcome of which would be completely different should a single application be submitted. This fact does not only prove lack of good governance but yet another form of injustice.
The radical change that is necessary in the planning process, supported by adequate research and well dosed with innovation and creativity, will positively impact critical aspects of our lives. These aspects include our mental and physical health, our unique Mediterranean character, our social patterns, the heritage and legacy we would like to hand over to the generations to come, and, directly and not, the market itself. Infact, there exists a clear correlation between economic development and environmental sustainability.
It is good to note that the country is committed to address climate neutrality through energy efficiency in buildings as part of the €344.9 million European funded National Recovery and Resilience Plan. Renovation and greening of public and private sector buildings, including deep retrofitting through energy- and resource- efficiency measures is well received. On the other hand it is disappointing to note that none of the major investments making up 72% of the funds are aimed at “Developing a long-term renovation strategy in the building and construction industry”.
Adequate funds, national and European, are to be channelled towards research and to provoke innovation and creativity, mostly at design and planning stages.
The time has come where development should no longer be considered as a harmful activity at all costs. We should seriously aim for sustainable development which respects the environment, aims towards lessening climate change and enhance the social well being of the individuals. This should no longer remain just our wish but should be embedded in the regulations and within the processes of the planning and environmental authorities in line with good governance principles.
The ESG, Environment, Social and Governance, concept was key and has been emphasised in the Electoral Manifesto of the Nationalist Party, and, the Opporsition will collaborate with all stakeholders, including the Government, in building an ESG based and benchmarked ecosystem within the sector to promote and incentivise green and sustainable economic activities, even through fiscal benefits for those who adhere to measurable, transparent and objective criteria.
Such a wholistic approach not only boost our quality of life but also adds value to properties and consequently mitigates, at least partially, the ever-increasing costs related to materials, transport and labour due to local and international current and upcoming situations.
We, together, now, need to seriously address the ways in which we are to increase our competitiveness whilst improving and enriching our quality of life.
Updates and further information about the summit’s developments can be followed on the official blog and on its social media channels.