A meeting of the Net Zero Delivery Board was chaired yesterday morning by the Deputy Chief Minister Dr Joseph Garcia and attended by the Minister for Environment Prof John Cortes.

The meeting was attended by Darren Gil and Magda Kolakowaska from Atkins Realis, representing the FCDO Climate Security Programme, and Martin Georgiev from Ricardo. The Climate Security Programme is funded by the UK FCDO to support Overseas Territories in achieving their climate goals and in their strategies for adaptation and resilience to climate change.

Consultants Ricardo provided a detailed review of Gibraltar’s Climate Change budgets and targets, given that we have now moved to Carbon Budget 2 as outlined in the Climate Change Strategy published in 2021. Whilst the overall targets for 2030 and 2045 as per the Climate Change Act remain the same, it is evident that Gibraltar needs to pursue a much faster rate of change if these are to remain achievable.

The Government is currently engaged with the Climate Security Programme and Ricardo to consider all feasible avenues for renewable energy generation, in addition to reducing emissions as far as possible through other means including in transport and waste management. This includes the exploration of potential sources of funding and investment in Gibraltar’s climate security and resilience infrastructure.

In terms of climate adaptation, a Heatwave Response Plan is in the final stages of development by the Director of Public Health in consultation with the Department of Environment. The Plan includes detailed strategies for public awareness with specific advice for at-risk and vulnerable groups.