Community Engagement in the Green Transition

Efforts to change behaviour and live more sustainably have gathered significant momentum in recent years. 

Governments, businesses, and organizations worldwide have taken up the challenge to promote sustainable development, giving this factor importance together with economic gain. There has been a positive trend in the establishment of rules, regulations, and national strategies towards this end. The ultimate beneficiaries, i.e., the citizens and community at large, are thus key players in the path towards the Green Transition, an international movement that seeks to shift our economies and societies to a more sustainable model. Despite our natural inclination to remain as bystanders, community participation at the grassroots level can make all the difference when building trust and inspiring change for a better tomorrow.

The extent of our success in this mission depends on various factors, the first of which is access to clear and unbiased information. An informed public is essential for effective policy-making, producing measures that the community will readily follow, promote, and transform. It is the responsibility of governments and businesses to collect and disseminate transparent and accurate information on their sustainability goals, as well as any related progress, setbacks, and outcomes - including statistical data. This information allows the public to hold influential entities accountable for their environmental and social impact, better understand current environmental concerns, and make informed decisions on their practices moving forward. This investment will be doubly beneficial in building the public’s trust in their government and private sector. Trust in governments (and their commitments to promoting sustainable practices) can be particularly impactful in this regard, as such sentiments are more likely to foster support and active participation in the green transition.

This goes hand in hand with learning, as community members must necessarily understand the importance of sustainability if they are to embrace its message. It is through education that we create the next generation of green leaders and foster a new culture of sustainability that can withstand apathy and skepticism. Unfortunately, a number of environmental and social concepts can be quite complex, requiring a great level of nuance that the average person is not equipped to handle. Knowledge transfer events, up- and re-skilling initiatives, and media-based educational campaigns all have a role to play in this endeavor.

Another crucial point to consider when promoting sustainability in the green transition is the concept of stewardship. Understanding this principle means recognizing that the decisions we make today affect future generations, and, therefore, it is essential to prioritize sustainable practices over immediate economic concerns. Even if sustainable solutions may be more expensive in the short run, taking a long-term view is necessary to ensure a habitable planet for our descendants. By deprioritizing short-term economic gains, governments, businesses, and individuals can promote a more sustainable economy and uphold their responsibility as stewards of the planet.

Despite the critical juncture at which we find ourselves, Malta is still in time to turn the tide and overcome. We can and have faced great odds in the past and have proven to be remarkably resourceful when it comes to collective action. Whilst not negating our own unique obstacles as a small island nation (perceived insignificance, reliance on tourism, and lack of material resources to name a few), we have a well of untapped potential lying in collaborative movements.

The success of the green transition in Malta is thus heavily dependent on community engagement, and our ability to foster a sense of collective ownership and responsibility. The desired outcome sees a more sustainable nation, whose people are empowered to make green decisions with minimal prodding from government and industry. Inspiration and initiative may instead evolve organically, where diversity of perspective will drive innovative solutions, frontier technologies, and novel practices that advance sustainable development beyond anything we can imagine right now. Perhaps most importantly, community involvement can also foster a sense of solidarity amongst its members, leaving nobody behind and ensuring a just and equitable transition for all those involved.

To find out more on how Malta can rise to the challenge, join us for EY’s Malta Future Realised Conference on the 25th of October 2023, at MCC, Valletta. More information and registration at: Malta Future Realised 2023 | EY - Malta

Dr Jeanelle Arpa is a sustainability specialist at EY.