On the 23rd of September 2024, local councils, climate experts, and stakeholders gathered at the Local Councils Association in Marsa for an insightful event aimed at addressing urban climate challenges and planning for a carbon-neutral future. Titled “Cities Go Climate Neutral,” this event brought together various speakers to discuss innovative strategies and digital tools that can empower localities in Malta and beyond to meet the ambitious European Union (EU) targets for climate neutrality. The conference served as a platform for knowledge exchange on decarbonisation strategies and sustainable practices, presenting numerous case studies and ongoing projects.
Opening Remarks
The event kicked off with a welcome address from the Malta Intelligent Energy Management Agency (MIEMA), setting the stage for a day of collaboration and learning. The keynote speaker, Ms Diane Cassar from MIEMA, introduced the Cities Go Climate Neutral project, which is part of the EU’s Horizon Mission aimed at transitioning urban areas to net-zero emissions by 2050.
Session 1: Local Strategies for Climate Neutral Cities
The first session, led by Diane Cassar, revolved around the core objectives of the Cities Go Climate Neutral project. This initiative aims to equip local authorities with digital tools and training to enhance their ability to develop local strategies for sustainable urban development. Ms Cassar also discussed the online training courses available on the project’s platform, which focus on sustainable urban planning, energy efficiency, and reducing pollution in cities. Additionally, she shared success stories from participating European cities, providing tangible examples of how climate-neutral strategies can be implemented on the ground.
One of the highlights of the session was the presentation by Fabian Borg from the Research Innovation Unit (RIU), who delivered a talk titled “A Hybrid Approach to Combating Air Pollution in Malta”. Borg, an expert with over 29 years of experience in local government and a prominent climate change researcher, provided a detailed analysis of Malta’s pressing climate issues. He highlighted recent climate phenomena, such as the extreme heatwaves of 2023 and the impact of Storm Helios in early 2023. Borg presented a compelling case for hybrid solutions that combine localised air quality monitoring with broader decarbonisation efforts to address Malta’s unique environmental challenges.
Session 2: Local Energy Planning with SECAP
The second session, led by Jesmond Xuereb, Director of MIEMA, shifted the focus towards Own Your SECAP, a project funded by the EU’s Life Programme. This project promotes the implementation of Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plans (SECAPs) in local councils, with the goal of systematically reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing climate adaptation efforts.
Xuereb highlighted several key success factors for SECAP implementation, including the importance of political commitment, proper resource allocation, and stakeholder engagement. He shared examples of successful SECAP measures such as energy efficiency improvements in council buildings and renewable energy deployment. The session concluded with a timetable for consultation with local councils, laying out clear steps for achieving climate goals.
Session 3: Digital Tools for City Decarbonisation
The third session took a hands-on approach with a workshop led by Diane Cassar and Noel Formosa, an EU Climate Pact Ambassador. Titled “Digital Tools for City Decarbonisation,” this session explored the role of digital platforms and tools in supporting the transition to climate-neutral cities.
Cassar introduced the CITY MINDED platform, which offers an e-learning environment aimed at educating municipal staff and stakeholders on urban decarbonisation. The platform includes a modular course with topics ranging from energy efficiency to carbon accounting and climate resilience. Participants were also invited to engage in a practical workshop using concept maps to brainstorm potential solutions for city decarbonisation. Formosa, meanwhile, shared insights on community engagement in sustainability actions, emphasising the need for both individual and collective efforts to drive meaningful change.
Closing Remarks
The event concluded with a reflective summary of the day’s discussions and a call to action for all attendees. MIEMA reaffirmed its commitment to supporting localities in their journey towards climate neutrality, offering ongoing assistance through technical expertise and digital resources.
The Cities Go Climate Neutral event underscored the critical role of local government and community engagement in addressing climate change. With a blend of cutting-edge digital tools, hands-on workshops, and success stories from across Europe, the event provided a comprehensive roadmap for Maltese municipalities to accelerate their decarbonisation efforts. By leveraging projects like Own Your SECAP and CITY MINDED, local authorities now have access to the knowledge and resources needed to build a sustainable future for Malta and beyond.
This event was a clear demonstration that achieving climate neutrality is not just a lofty EU target, but an attainable goal with the right strategies and collaborations in place. The continued commitment of local councils, bolstered by EU-funded projects, will be essential in transforming these plans into action.
