Biodiversity Climate Change Stakeholders Conference (BCCS), Malta

The Gzira Local Council, assisted by the Research Innovation Unit in conjunction with ACe20, hosted the first international conference on biodiversity, climate crises and stakeholders in the locality of Gzira under the auspicious of Europe for Citizens Programme funded programme – Town Twinning Project GREAT – Growing Resilient Engagement Activities Together.

As the lead partner, Gzira Local Council hosted representatives from the municipality of Derineya, the organisation Stowarzyszenie Aktywni dla Lajsk, the association Kelmes Miesto Vietos Veiklos Grupe, the organisation Balkaniko Instituto Epixeirimatikotitas MKO, and the municipality of Gradoli. The Mayor of the Gzira Conrad Borg Manche welcomed the delegates. He delivered a keynote speech on the importance of collaboration in tackling the world’s crises.

The delegates from Malta, Cyprus, Poland, Italy, Lithuania, and Greece shared their experiences in Climate Change at a local level. They discussed findings and policies, including promoting volunteering activities to address the localised issues. The conference consisted of structured seminars, group activities, guided visits around the locality of Gzira and workshops.

Local experts Mr Fabian Borg, Dr Alfred Baldacchio and Dr Mario V. Balzan, gave presentations to the delegates, followed by open floor discussions. The insights provided by the experts were used during the group activity with the topics “Biodiversity in Urban Zones”, “Urban Heat Islands”, and “Nature-Based Solutions in Urban Spaces”.

Throughout the conference, delegates had the opportunity to discuss in depth the salient role of citizen engagement in climate crises and how to entice voluntary organisations to act as multipliers towards achieving climate neutrality. The sharing of best practices assumed particular significance during the International Meeting: each delegation presented on the topic “What measures are being taken by the locality/municipality in preserving biodiversity and what initiatives can be taken to support plans set during COP26 with regards to Climate Change”. Sharing local actions and policies represented a moment of enrichment for all the participants.