Minister Cortes’ letter to Climate Change petitioners

Climate commitments and time frames made legally binding under the Act, so committing future governments.

Work on pollution, waste, energy, transport and development consistent with the commitments enshrined in the declaration of a Climate Emergency passed unanimously by all parties represented in Parliament.

During the debate on the Appropriation Bill, Government outlined some of the work, which includes transitioning to renewable energy, expansion of green areas and action on traffic and transport.

I welcome your call for public engagement. As we know, the fight against climate change has to be engaged on by all, individual citizens, businesses and organisations, as well as by governments.

In accepting your petition, I in turn ask you to support the efforts of the Government in keeping to our climate commitments, set by a Parliamentary motion and soon to be set in Law.

I call on you, as organisations and as citizens, to make a difference by committing to changes aimed at reducing our carbon footprint, including, but not limited to:

Decreasing travel that depends on fossil fuel, with actions such as:

Not using a car on one day a week;

Reducing air travel by one planned trip a year;

Increasing the use of public transport; Cycling.

Reducing your consumption of meat, such as:

By introducing one or more meat free days a week.

Reducing the use of single-use plastic.

Reducing electricity consumption.

Reducing the use of water.

Seeking opportunities to plant on terraces, patios, window boxes, etc.

Approaching businesses and organisations urging them to introduce policies to reduce their corporate climate impact.

Encouraging family members, friends, workmates and employers to adopt the above.

If we all take, and maintain at least some of these steps, collectively we will be assisting in achieving the carbon neutrality that we desire and need.

I look forward to your committing to the above and confirming that you will do so.

Many thanks for your continued and active support,

With my best wishes

Hon Prof John Cortes

Minister for Education, Heritage, Environment, Energy and Climate Change

03-07-19 PANORAMAdailyGIBRALTAR