Cap. 643 Art. 6Guiding principles on climate action.

(1) The Government shall, in exercising its duties and obligations under this Act, be guided by the principles listed in this article and these principles shall be employed in the interpretation of the other provisions of this Act and any regulations made thereunder.

(2) The Government shall, in fulfilling its duties and obligations under this Act:

(a) take climate change considerations into account, to the extent possible, in relevant social, economic and environmental policies and actions;

(b) take into account its obligations and commitments pursuant to the applicable multilateral legal instruments and its obligations as a Member State of the European Union;

(c) take into account the geophysical, social and economic circumstances of Malta;

(d) ensure that actions taken are, to the extent possible, the most cost-effective, using the best available technologies and best practices as appropriate to Malta;

(e) ensure that it takes into account the best available scientific, technological, technical and socio-economic information;

(f) ensure that all sectors of society and the economy participate in national climate action, including in relevant decisions;

(g) ensure that climate change, environmental and energy policies and measures are designed, developed, coordinated and implemented in the best interests of the environment, the economy and international and European Union obligations;

(h) ensure that climate action taken respects the interests of all sections of society, is non-discriminatory and, where relevant, promotes gender equality;

(i) ensure that data in relation to climate action is collected, processed and interpreted in cognizance of data related to achieving overall international and European Union obligations in other areas;

(j) respect and, to the extent possible, safeguard the interests of vulnerable sectors of society, including by taking climate actions that support the eradication of poverty;

(k) ensure that climate action taken shall promote and enhance the competitiveness of Malta’s economy;

(l) ensure, to the extent possible, that no conflict exists between policies and measures adopted in respect of climate action and other policies and measures;

(m) ensure that it takes precautionary measures to anticipate, prevent or minimize the causes of climate change and to mitigate its adverse effects and that where there are threats of serious or irreversible damage, the lack of full scientific certainty shall not be a reason for postponing such measures;

(n) ensure that climate action taken contributes to sustainable development;

(o) ensure that, where relevant, any beneficial impacts of climate change are utilised to the benefit of society, the economy and the environment, to the extent that such beneficial impacts may reduce vulnerability and enhance resilience to other adverse impacts of climate change;

(p) ensure that, prior to taking any decision, all the consequences of the outcome of that decision throughout the whole life cycle of that outcome are taken into consideration; and

(q) ensure adequate information is made available to the public, to facilitate public participation in respect of certain plans and programmes relating to the climate system and ensure adequate access to justice.