Tuesday, 12th April 2016 – The Malta Business Bureau (MBB) this morning welcomed the results announced by the Sustainable Energy and Water Conservation Unit (SEWCU), where over a third of Malta’s non-SMEs have signed voluntary agreements with government affirming their intention to increase energy efficiency in their operations.

The non-SMEs have already declared measures planned over the coming two years. As a result of these measures, an expected 8500 tons of annual CO2 emissions are expected to be reduced by Malta’s industry.

In recognition of these efforts by industry,  SEWCU presented the respective businesses with an official certification recognising their Energy Efficiency commitment. The companies were also granted an official ‘Energy Efficiency Partner Initiative’ logo developed to recognise the agreement.

Emphasising the achievement, MBB CEO Joe Tanti said “For a third of the country’s largest businesses to voluntarily sign an agreement declaring their intention and indicate measures to be taken to reduce their energy consumption, in such a short time, is very significant. In fact, it highlights that not only is the awareness of the importance of energy and water conservation present, but that the motivation to act is also present amongst the business sector.”

Highlighting the fact that the Industry and Services sectors are responsible for a large portion of energy consumption in Malta, SEWCU CEO Daniel Azzopardi reiterated that there was still the potential for greater Energy Efficiency. He continued that with the right software (policy making) and the right hardware (investment by the industry), Malta could benefit from enhanced competitiveness via greater energy efficiency and water conservation – thus describing this as a win-win scenario at both a micro and macro level. Mr Azzopardi thanked the MBB for supporting the energy efficiency initiative by acting as a liaison between industry and SEWCU.

Mr Ronald Mizzi, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Energy and Health, presented certificates of recognition to the relevant stakeholders during a conference organised by SEWCU. This event, was also addressed by Mr Rados Horacek, Team Leader Energy Efficiency, DG ENERGY, European Commission. A technical panel of Industry Representatives was chaired by Architect David Xuereb, Chairperson of the Malta Chamber’s Energy and Environmental Committee.

Voluntary agreements were reached with the following non-SMEs: Carlo Gavazzi, Methode Electronics Malta Ltd,  ST Microelectronics, Bank of Valletta, H.S.B.C., EneMalta p.l.c., Water Service Corporation, Foster Clarks Products Ltd., Baxter, Malta Freeport, Playmobil Malta Ltd., Toly Products Ltd., Trelleborg Sealing Solutions (Malta) Ltd., Besedo, AX Holdings, Eden Leisure Group, De La Rue Currency and Security Print Ltd, and Group 4 Services.

The Malta Business Bureau congratulates the signatory businesses for their environmental and social responsibility demonstrated through this voluntary agreement.

For more information:

MARIJA ELENA BORG
mborg@mbb.org.mt
+356 21 251 719