JUSTNature Stakeholder Meeting with Environment Resources Agency

16 February 2023, in anticipation of the first stakeholder workshop, to be held on 24 February 2023, members of the Research Innovation Unit (RIU), on behalf of the Gzira Local Council, met with representatives of the Environment Resources Agency (ERA).

ERA and RIU introduced ongoing climate actions and collaboration possibilities on ongoing projects and future applications because of the EU Green Deal mandates and the signing of the EU Mission for Adaptation to Climate Change. The Eastern and Port Regions of Malta signed the latter through RIU’s intervention and devolution.

Fabian Borg (Head of RIU) introduced the objectives of the JUSTNature project and the concepts of co-creation, co-designing and co-governance that such project fosters. Borg presented thermal, air, and noise pollution analyses that require countermeasures through Nature Based Solutions (NBS). Architect Portelli explained the traffic management and survey conducted in the pilot to diminish traffic build-up of idling internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, while Architect Galea explained civil and infrastructural works within the draft plan.

This positive meeting ensued with an ad-hoc working party from all attendees to create new green/blue spaces within the draft plans and the possibility of creating green corridors within the dense urban zone of Gzira. The draft plans including the green spaces and blue solutions would be presented during the first Local Stakeholder Workshop of JUSTNature, scheduled for the 24 February 2023.