1. Ministry for Gozo Ministry for Gozo IL-GVERN TA’ MALTA

2. Gozo will become an eco-island by 2020, supported by a keen and committed sustainable community. We want to see quality of life in Gozo improving further through education, economic development and social progress. Gozo will strive to reduce its carbon and water footprints. We want to protect the Gozitan lifestyle, the island’s environment, resources, culture and identity, and see that all these play a significant part in attracting more visitors and investors to the island. vision statement

3. Sustainable Development  a Local Sustainable Development strategy for Gozo bottom-up  a bottom-up, community effort  a translation of the complicated notion of doable action plan sustainability into a doable action plan long-term  a long-term project for Gozo, but the short-term with clear deliverables for the short-term focus  an opportunity to focus dispersed efforts a common aim towards a common aim what is eco-Gozo?

4. strategic objectives investmentsustainable jobs  Quality investment for more sustainable jobs quality of life  A better quality of life less pressure  A society exerting less pressure on the environment naturalcultural environment  A wholesome natural and cultural environment caring societyall  A caring society for all identity  Sustaining the island’s identity

5. four main priority areas   Economy  Environment  Society  Identity & Culture

6. eco-Gozo deliverables an island which is: greener cleaner more successful safer and healthier more attractive a better place to live in more sustainable

7. Keywords But… Eco-Gozo = a local SD strategy So, What is Sustainable Development?

8. Defining Sustainable Development

9. SD - Definition SD ties together the concern for the carrying capacity of natural systems, with the social and economic challenges facing humanity. EcocentrismAnthropocentrism SD = balance which we have yet to find…

10. Issues  Sustainable Development is a complicated notion  the road towards Sustainability is a long-term process (and the ideal cannot be reached)  a culture change from the grassroots is vital  concerns most (if not all) sectors of society  a significant investment is necessary

11. Solutions   define Sustainable Development through a set of strategic objectives and focus areas  promote a bottom-up approach from the very start and throughout the project  devise a plan which can be organised into short, medium and long-term objectives  organise action into manageable ‘lots’ and target all sectors of society – involve stakeholders  secure the appropriate level of both public and private investment  Sustainable Development is a complicated notion  a culture change from the grassroots is vital  the road towards Sustainability is a long-term process  concerns most (if not all) sectors of society  a significant investment is necessary

12. select action so far

13. Public consultation In July 2008, the Ministry for Gozo launched the public consultation on the eco-island initiative A new website www.eco-gozo.gov.mt was created A brochure describing the objectives of turning Gozo into an eco-island was distributed to each household Aim of brochure was to gain as much feedback as possible from the general public Continuous bottom-up approach following possibly the widest public consultation ever conducted in Gozo Feedback from 25 consultation meetings 1250 submissions from the public

14. public consultation results

15. short-term action

16. investment  Budget 2010 – Government allocated € 25 million for the implementation of the short-term measures  The Ministry for Gozo is actively scouting for foreign and local investment – (Results – HSBC, Coca Cola)  A number of investment proposals have been made to Government by the private sector  Local Councils, the voluntary sector and the local private sector are encouraged to take up the implementation of certain measures (also through Funding Schemes)

17. eco-gozo select projects

18. afforestation – phase 1

19. afforestation - marsalforn

20. New public garden - marsalforn

21. afforestation – qortin ghajn damma, xaghra A project led by Wasteserv Co. Ltd

22. afforestation – qortin ta’ isopu, nadur

23. afforestation - chambrai

26. agriculture research centre

28. development of the Xewkija Experimental Farm into an Agriculture Research, Development and Innovation Centre formal disucssions with the University of Malta concluded tenders for necessary infrastructural works have been published. Other tenders expected shortly Research projects in progress. UOM staff identifying new priority research projects to be launched during 2012

29. education

30. education

31. education

32. education

33. education

34. education

35. rainwater harvesting a preliminary exercise on existing rainwater retention facilities in Gozo has been completed – about 30 facilities identified a program for their restoration and cleaning is being implemented Close collaboration with MEPA on this project due to environmental sensitivity Cleaning programme held in 2010 and 2011 with cleaning at Wied ta’ Zejta, Wied ta’ Marsalforn, Ramla and Kapuccini. Project till now has resulted in an increased rainwater capacity on the island equivalent to 43 million liters

36. rainwater harvesting

39. treated sewage effluent

40. the use of this second class water in Gozo is of strategic importance WSC have concluded scientific research confirming this water can be used in applications such as agriculture and industry Formal discussions with WSC, MRRA on this project are at a very advanced stage Final recommendations expected to be presented to Government in the coming months Part of new mains system required already part of project for Mgarr road reconstruction

41. treated sewage effluent This project will: Help us start addressing the groundwater problem which is more serious in Gozo Guarantee the source of potable water for WSC in the long-term Create an alternative source of water for agriculture Take maximum benefit from sewage treatment

42. renewable energy / energy efficiency Extension of the PV system at the Ministry for Gozo – new systems in other government buildings A wind monitoring mast will be installed in 2012 Expression of Interest for the installation of PV’s on Government buildings published by MRRA – 10,000m 2 of roof space in Gozo included Proposals by private enterprise for the installation of large-scale PV and of small wind turbines Preferential feed in tariff for Gozo installations (28 cents compared to 25 cents in Malta) Energy Audits at Govt buildings

43. Raising standards

44. Research – coastal waters monitoring

45. Society - health

46. Other Initiatives and Results Home Visits Project Creation of a Regional Youth Council GBC – ICT Platform project Distribution of 13,000 Water Saving Kits to families Public Art in Gozo project Public Transport Reform Human Resources Strategy for Gozo Introduced Education for Sustainable Development and Lifestyles awareness in Schools New Child Care Centres

47. Other Initiatives and Results 5Km of restored rubble walls 90% of Gozo schools participating in eco-schools € 2 million for Eco-Gozo projects by Local Councils and NGOs € 1.2 million for the new Centre for Innovation in the Rural Sciences and Environmental Management 3000 more trees 45 million liters of increased rainwater harvesting capacity on the island 10,000 home visits promoting Sustainable families € 120,000 to promote Gozo as a unique diving destiantion € 0.7 million direct investment by private enterprise More than 1100 families granted subsidies to invest in photovoltaic systems and solar water heating

48. thank you www.eco-gozo.com www.eco-gozo.comanthony.b.zammit@gov.mt