Evaluating the progress of the Covenant of Mayors initiative in Malta

Abstract

This dissertation aims to assess the extent to which the Covenant of Mayors (CoM) initiative has progressed in Malta. No previous studies have looked into the CoM initiative in Malta and it is hoped that this dissertation will provide solutions that can be implemented by mayors to resuscitate the initiative in Malta. The CoM aims to bring together local councils across Europe, who voluntarily commit themselves to promote the climate and energy objectives of the European Union (EU). The study has used a number of approaches and tools, such as PESTEL and SWOT analysis, to evaluate the progress of the CoM in selected local councils in Malta and Gozo. It has found that, since its inception in 2008, the CoM has not contributed significantly to the reduction of CO2 emissions and energy consumption within the Maltese signatory councils. The barriers experienced by Maltese signatories are similar to those experienced by signatories abroad: lack of resources, poor engagement with residents, ineffective handovers from one mayor to the next, other competing priorities and poor understanding of the CoM’s ethos. In addition, a language barrier was identified in one case. The study concludes that local councils in Malta have not had sufficient autonomy, resources and supporting bodies to enable them to successfully participate in the CoM initiative. Recent amendments to the Local Government Act 1993 have resulted in delegating greater responsibilities to councillors. This may facilitate better execution of projects such as the CoM, as accountability gains more prominence. Nevertheless, additional assistance from the Local Councils’ Association and the regional councils, as well as better engagement with residents, remain instrumental to support better implementation of the CoM’s objectives. Notwithstanding, such support should not jeopardise the CoM’s main objective of creating a bottom-up, local approach to supporting the implementation of the EU’s climate and energy objectives.