Prosperity

Ensure prosperous and fulfilling lives in harmony with nature

SDG 8 - Decent work and Economic Growth: Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all

‘Wherever you live in the world, being able to find secure and fairly paid work is a big priority for most people.’ - www.one.org

If we are to measure economic growth against GDP, then Malta fares very well with growth 10 times the EU average – but how does this translate into the local scenario? Is growth inclusive and considerate of each sector of society? With the cost of living slowly on the increase, are decent jobs available and accessible to all?

  • Buy only from companies that use sustainable materials, care about the environment and treat workers fairly. Demand that all companies start doing this too.
  • Encourage the passage of laws that elevate small businesses and provide job training programs for youth.
  • Introducing job training and internship programmes for young people.
  • Providing opportunities for continuing professional development and upskilling for staff.
  • Promoting safe and secure working environments for all workers, including migrant workers.
  • Implementing sustainable production and consumption patterns to decouple economic growth from environmental degradation.
  • Participating in CSR day and join the other companies In helping and supporting NGOs in their actions.
  • If you are an employer, implement inclusive policies in your workplace that promote diversity.

For more information on the local context, kindly follow these links:

SDG 9 - Industry Innovation and Infrastructure

The situation in Malta

In 2014, Malta’s new National Research Innovation Strategy 2020 was endorsed by Cabinet. Its aim is to set out the country’s innovation and research strategy for the forthcoming seven-year period. Its main vision is:

Embedding Research and Innovation at the heart of the Maltese Economy to spur knowledge-driven and value-added growth and to sustain improvement in the quality of life.

In addition, the mission of this strategy is: To provide an enabling framework for achieving this framework.

Goal 1: A Comprehensive Research and Innovation support “Ecosystem”
Goal 2: A stronger Knowledge base
Goal 3: Smart Flexible Specialisation

Furthermore, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat commented on the island’s infrastructure and said that Infrastructure is Malta’s Achilles Heel.

"Over the years we always planned for an infrastructure to cater for 500,000 people. It eluded planners that while on paper we are 500,000, we host more or less one million at times." - Malta Independent, Malta 10th July 2017

  • Are you into technology? Use your skills to advance the other goals! Whether it’s organizing a hackathon, starting your own sustainable business or making a movie about an issue you feel passionate about, technology and innovation are key to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
  • If you’re a business, think about investing in clean and resilient infrastructure, where your workers will have a safe and dignified space, and the local environment won’t be harmed.
  • If you have an R&D department, begin focusing research on eco-friendly innovations that would help build a better future.
  • Establish standards and promote regulation that ensures company projects and initiatives are sustainably managed.

For more information on the local context, kindly follow these links:

SDG 11 - Make cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable

As one of the most densely populated areas in the world, the Maltese islands are constantly being subjected to human pressures. The current scenario sees approximately 43 vehicles added to the Maltese roads every day, a result of an unreliable transport system, illegal building rampant due to lack of proper regulation, not to mention that 11% of the Maltese population living in housing which lacks maintenance. In a place like Malta where urbanisation is set to reach 92.5% by 2050, careful consideration and planning needs to be taken by government to ensure that urban areas are safe, resilient and sustainable.

  • Protect our green spaces – stand up against the removal of our green spaces for development.
  • Choosing an office location accessible to most of your employees by foot, bus or bike.
  • Financing transport vouchers or tal-linja card to reduce traffic and numbers of cars on the road.
  • Choosing office spaces located in accessible yet quieter places which need livening up and bring positive. externalities to these zones, without destroying cultural heritage and protecting the ecosystem there.

For more information on the local context, kindly follow these links:

SDG 12 - Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns

The situation in Malta

Malta’s municipal waste production is one the highest in the EU. How can we readjust our consumption and production patters to reduce on the amount of waste produced per unit?

  • We have become a consumerist society, and so we are producing a lot of waste. This is a big problem, as with all this waste being dumped in our landfills, we are going to have huge problems in the near future due to lack of space.
  • Another big problem is the amount of electronic waste we are creating, so the community has to adopt a cautious policy on how we dispose of this equipment. The authorities need to have a well-defined strategy. Therefore, on our part we should try and create less waste and go for recyclable products.
  • As a business you can reduce your food and solid waste, in collaboration with other stakeholders including suppliers, consumers, retailers and governments.
  • It’s important to know your products – trace the origins of product bought and ensure they are sustainable

For more information on the local context, kindly follow these links: