Ġnien ir-Rnella

An abandoned former military cemetery site in Kalkara has been transformed into Malta’s first carbon-neutral garden. The garden is equipped with cutting-edge environmental technologies, including renewable energy systems and water conservation measures, while embracing sustainable landscaping practices. As a carbon-neutral space, the garden generates its own electricity through renewable sources and collects rainwater for irrigation, eliminating the need for external, polluting resources. With an investment of €1 million, the project involved restoring four reservoirs to collect rainwater for a new automated irrigation system. Extensive work was done to rehabilitate the landscaped areas, including soil levelling, maintenance of existing trees, and the planting of new trees, shrubs, and plants. Additionally, workers installed a drinking water fountain, solar-powered footpaths to provide energy for lighting and electrical systems, along with smart benches and solar-powered bins.