A new fund by the Environment & Resources Authority (ERA) will be financing projects, programmes, and schemes with the aim of environmental protection and improving the quality of life in our islands announced Minister for the Environment, Climate Change and Planning Aaron Farrugia and ERA CEO Michelle Piccinino.

The minister explained that this multi-million fund will kick off with an initial investment of half a million in the first scheme titled Better Environment in Our Local Urban Spaces (BELLUS). He explained that the BELLUS call will be supporting environmental projects tailored towards protecting, restoring, and improving the environment. It is open to public entities, including local councils, voluntary organisations, and educational institutions.

This scheme will finance projects that contribute towards addressing national environmental challenges, thus leading to a healthier environment and an improved quality of life.

Projects must include actions that are tailored towards benefiting the environment whilst relating to the following themes:

  • Green and Blue infrastructure
  • Afforestation and environmental restoration
  • Improving the local environment, including greening urban areas and quality of the countryside
  • Biodiversity and nature protection
  • Initiatives for conservation and restoration of sensitive zones near urban zones

“We are continuing to invest in our environment, our well-being and the quality of life of all families on our islands. Our country continues to face a number of challenges, including environmental ones, which is why the need for innovative, sustainable, and green projects are more important than ever. The government is continuing to invest in the people as it has been doing for the past years, and this fund gives a chance to public entities, local councils, and voluntary organisations to come forward with their projects to improve the local environment and safeguard our islands,” the minister said.

ERA CEO Michelle Piccinino said that by this initiative, ERA will ensure the relevant implementation, promoting synergy to work hand in hand with local councils, schools, various public entities, and NGOs. This investment will bridge the gaps to enhance biodiversity and wellbeing.

The BELLUS scheme will open from 1st July 2021 until 30th September 2021. More information can be obtained by email [email protected] or era.org.mt.

 

19 June 2021

In 2017, ERA had requested an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) in accordance with the then Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations, 2007 (LN 114 of 2007 as amended). Following the submission and review of the EIA Report, ERA issued its Assessment and Recommendations along with the development conditions in August 2018.

The Planning Authority’s decision on the development consent was appealed by third parties before the Environment and Planning Review Tribunal (EPRT) (Appeal No 149/19). The EPRT decision upheld limitedly the third party appeal and referred the acts back to the ERA for resubmission of the EIA Report, following which ERA requested the applicant to rectify the situation in accordance with the said Decision, and to resubmit the EIA Report. In this regard, the EIA Report was resubmitted to ERA on 15 February 2021 and assessed. This assessment takes into account the conclusions of the EIA Report, as well as the comments received from the public concerned following a 30-day public consultation and a public hearing.

The main points of concern relate to impacts on land use, landscape character and visual amenity, mainly due to the proposed construction of the residential clusters in the western part of the island, with their associated increase in urban mass and density. In addition, impacts on cultural heritage features, both terrestrial and underwater, have been identified, mainly due to the potential risk of removal of or disturbance to unknown heritage features, and due to vibrations generated during excavation works. In terms of emissions, increased emissions of particulate matter from vehicular traffic during operations are envisaged for the area of the Gżira promenade, which would require the implementation of a green travel plan. With respect to ecological features, this assessment sets forward the need for proper safeguards with respect to the protected marine species, including the proper phasing of marine works, the use of silt curtains and the complete avoidance of vessels and barges passing in the vicinity of the area in which the protected Maltese top shell (Steromphala nivosa) was recorded, together with monitoring of water and sediment quality and the biological attributes during all phases of the development.

In the light of the findings of the assessment and overall considerations, and taking into account the context of the area and the Development Brief (Government of Malta, 1992) for the site in subject, ERA does not object to the proposal from an environmental point of view. The Authority however, put forward that waste management (including the processing of dredged material), landscaping and the architectural design of the proposed building clusters are considered as reserved matters.

The Final Assessment was referred to the ERA Board for a decision in public in line with the EIA Regulations (S.L. 549.46). The ERA Board voted in favour on the 04th June 2021 whilst also taking note of a request to provide facilities for education on biodiversity in the area which will necessitate further evaluation at a later stage.

5 June 2021

The Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) received an application for a variation to the existing permit for the Central Link Project which included the removal of two Ficus trees in Triq Nutar Zarb, Attard.

During the processing of this application, ERA asked for justifications from Infrastructure Malta for this request for variation. Whilst IM stated that the removal of the trees in question was needed due to the necessity of an exit lane, IM also provided expert advice that the trees could not be transplanted and had to be removed as the extent of services within the roots structure is extensive and that any attempt to transplant the trees would be fruitless as the root structure will be impacted irreparably.

The Directorate evaluated the proposed application for variation of permit taking into account the information which was provided and the case was put forward for consideration by ERA Board on the 7th May 2021. The ERA Board referred back the application to the Directorate so the applicant submits to the ERA alternative layouts which would avoid the removal of the trees in question. On 18th May, IM replied to this request by stating that it cannot be considered since the proposed design are the result of a Road Safety Audit and hence alternative options were not possible, hence both trees had to be removed for road user safety.

The ERA Board considered the submission by the expert engaged by the applicant and documentation stating that no alternative layouts are possible in view of road safety standards and granted the permit on 21st May.

28 May 2021

In 2015, the Fort Cambridge project was assessed to qualify for the submission an Environmental Planning Statement (EPS) in accordance with the former Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations, 2007 (S.L. 549.46). Following the submission and review of the EIA Report, ERA issued its Assessment and Recommendations along with the development conditions in July 2018.

In 2020, a revised version of the development was submitted by the project proponents. Subsequently, ERA requested a statement from the EIA Coordinator who carried out the EIA Report for the original development proposal to confirm or otherwise whether the proposed material changes vis-à-vis the downscaling of the project are likely to change any of the findings and conclusions of the EIA carried out for the proposal.

The said documentation was followed up by further assessment by ERA. This assessment takes into account the conclusions of the EIA consultants’ updated evaluation of the proposal as part of the Environment Impact Assessment process, including any relevant ancillary documentation as well as the comments received from the public concerned following a 30-day public consultation.

Following the assessment of the updated documentation on the EIA and its own assessment, ERA agreed with the EIA Coordinator’s conclusion that the overall level of significance of the environmental impacts from the 2020 proposal remain unchanged.

In this regard, ERA reiterated its position and conditions outlined on the original proposal. In conclusion ERA set forward the requirement for the implementation of green transport initiatives, aimed at reducing noise impacts from traffic generated during operations, and the inclusion of measures (e.g. vertical screens), to address localised changes in the wind microclimate around the proposed building, in the project design; as well as conditions recommended for inclusion in the development permit.

The decision taken by the ERA Board on 21st May 2021 was that the Final Assessment on the EIA process was being agreed to and a vote in favour was taken such that this is referred to the Planning Authority to be taken into consideration in the final decision on the application development permit.

During the same sitting, the ERA Board also approved an application for an environment permit for an innovative environmentally friendly Hull cleaning and Painting facility at Pieta. Following inspections and communications as part of the application under EP 01075/20, the water used to clean the vessels’ hulls will be filtered and the water reused hence significantly reducing the risk and impact on the surrounding environment.

21 May 2021

The Environment and Resources Authority (ERA), together with the University of Malta and Heritage Malta, kicked off the first CORALLO stakeholder event in Malta to commence discussions on marine and terrestrial Natura 2000 sites. This event was addressed by Minister for National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government José Herrera and Parliamentary Secretary for European Funds Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi.

“The purpose of this project is to raise awareness of our natural and historical heritage and to make it more accessible. Therefore, in today’s meeting, we are promoting the benefits that the CORALLO project has to offer to various audiences. This project gives the public access to areas that they may not have been able to visit, through virtual reality and exhibitions. On the other hand, access to sites of historical importance should not be limited to being only virtual, thus we will continue to ensure that we protect and continue to care for these sites, so that they remain accessible to present and future generations,” stated Minister Herrera.

CORALLO is an EU funded project through the Interreg V-A Italia-Malta 2014-2020 fund, which was formally approved for funding in October 2020. It is part of a wider international project, which includes other Sicilian partners such as ARPA Sicilia, the University of Palermo, the Consorzio Plemmirio and Corissia.

Parliamentary Secretary for European Funds Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi stated that the project is being conducted with an investment of €1.4 million, whereby €1.2 million are all European funds. He explained the importance of the investment, which is intended to give particular results, whereby six protected sites will adopt plans for the responsible use of these sites, whilst ensuring to raise awareness and to educate the general public. Parliamentary Secretary Zrinzo Azzopardi concluded by saying that these collaborations between Malta and Sicily give us an opportunity to create more awareness on a wider level, as we have an obligation to present the realities of the Mediterranean within an EU perspective.

The CORALLO project will include various resources and means of informal education for a varied spectrum of audiences. These will be installed at four popular visitors’ centres operated by Heritage Malta, namely the Malta Maritime Museum, the Għar Dalam Museum, Ħaġar Qim/Mnajdra, and the National Museum of Natural History.

ERA CEO Michelle Piccinino said that the Environment and Resources Authority is committed to educating on the importance of protecting our natural environment and nurturing responsible use of this asset. The CORALLO Project will embark on a nationwide campaign to raise awareness on these sites.

ERA has designated 35% of Malta’s marine waters as ‘Marine Protected Areas’ under the Natura 2000 network. The project focuses on the responsible enjoyment of ecosystem services and the assets offered within Natura 2000 sites, which can be exploited by the public in a sustainable manner. Such awareness aims to achieve its goals through a diverse array of tools focusing on education and entertainment. This 30-month project is expected to end in 2023.

20 May 2021

Works are ongoing to combat marine pollution, now through a collaboration between the Ministry, the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA), and the eNGO #Żibel.

This was announced by Minister for the Environment, Climate Change and Planning Aaron Farrugia who explained that this collaboration will include a number of initiatives, including the use and maintenance of a number of sea bins to trap small pieces of litter and plastic which are improperly disposed of and end up in the sea, harming marine ecosystems and living species.

The litter which will be trapped by these sea bins will later be analysed and studied in detail, and the related data will be used to develop new environmental initiatives to prevent some types of litter from eventually ending up in the sea.

The Minister spoke on the importance of collaborations with various stakeholders and environmental organisation for common aims: those of safeguarding our environment and the quality of life, and also the security of some economic sectors.

Works will also include a number of clean-ups on land and also clean-ups in marine-protected areas, monitoring of the seabed to identify new areas which can be cleaned, the retrieval of disused fishing material such as fishing nets, and also the exportation of collected material for recycling.

The Minister said that the information that will be collected through this collaboration will be crucial for Malta, as it will aid in other works being done to reduce marine litter and to create awareness on the harm caused by single-use-plastics—the same message conveyed during the Saving our Blue campaign.

This work is being carried out at the opportune time, as it is paving the way for the total prohibition of sale of single-use-plastics in Malta as from January of next year.

“While these initiatives are a clear example of how the Ministry continues to work with the different stakeholders in society in order to improve the quality of the environment around us, the public is asked to do its part for the marine environment on which marine creatures, ecosystems and the economy depend on. It is important for the public to protect marine protected areas, where no waste should be dumped,” said the Minister.

The Minister reiterated that Malta’s dependence on marine activities remains high when compared with other small island EU member states, and for this reason we should make use of this sector in the best possible way to generate wealth and employment. He said that the blue economy sector accounts for 15% of the Maltese economy and generates around 27,000 jobs. The Minister explained that it is crucial to find a balance between economic growth and environmental preservation, also because the two are intrinsically linked.

May 17 2021

The Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) Board has unanimously approved the renewal of the IPPC permit for the Thermal Treatment Facility in Marsa operated by WasteServ Malta Ltd during a public meeting that was held today, 7th May 2021.

The application process included consultation with a number of Statutory consultees as well as a public consultation as required by the IPPC Regulations.

The IPPC permit covers the continued operations of the installation at Marsa whose main activity involves the incineration of animal by-products and hazardous waste. The permit takes into account the holistic environmental performance of the plant and ascertains that the operations are undertaken in line with Best Available Techniques that are available for such operations and any required improvements are carried out in line with these standards. It is to be noted that the Authority has seen a drastic decrease in complaints on the operation of the facility, with no complaints registered in the 2021.

The integrated permit takes into consideration all the aspects of the operations including emissions to air, discharges, management of waste, monitoring of operations as well as monitoring of pollutants prior to release into the environment. The proposal approved includes measures to improve certain operational aspects of the site to further reduce the impacts on the environment.

All public consultation documents are available on the ERA website.

7 May 2021

A new software targeting primary school children with information on the sources of air pollution, ERA’s air quality monitoring network, the health effects of air pollution and the tangible actions citizens can take to reduce their contribution to air pollution, has been developed.

This was announced by Minister for Education Justyne Caruana and Minister for the Environment, Climate Change and Planning Aaron Farrugia.

The app, developed by the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) in collaboration with education officers, is compatible with students’ school tablets (One Tablet Per Child Scheme) and includes two mini-games which will introduce children to the small changes they can make in their daily lives to have a positive impact on air quality.

Minister for the Environment, Climate Change and Planning Aaron Farrugia said that the fate of the planet is in the hands of our children, making it crucial for them to develop a deeper understanding of environmental issues and make informed decisions. “On the other hand, air quality itself is a pressing issue during a time that public health in general is in the spotlight. In Europe, the air is cleaner today than it has been for the last two decades, which shows that policy actions and co-operation has had a positive effect. But more has to be done, and initiatives targeted towards the youngest members of our society are a step in the right direction,” the Minister said.

Minister for Education Justyne Caruana spoke about the importance of a holistic education. She said that, “An essential part of our children’s education is to ensure that our students are given more opportunities to broaden their knowledge beyond the traditional aspect of education, by providing them with the necessary tools so that they can also raise awareness on the subject.” Minister Caruana said that this is why she encourages schools to participate in the EkoSkola program, an initiative led locally by Nature Trust/FEE Malta, which is an international program for all schools, and which helps them towards education for sustainable development. She praised initiatives like the one launched today, as they provide an educational sphere that increases awareness about the importance of the environment.

The Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) CEO Ms Michelle Piccinino emphasized that educational campaigns are crucial for environmental change. This educational game also complies with the public’s wish, expressed in a public survey, to get more information on tangible actions they may take to contribute to further environmental protection. This app is a clear example of ERA’s commitment towards the environment in every segment of our population, including children who are our future. ERA will continue with further educational campaigns, expert advice and relevant policy implementations to improve air quality and other environmental aspects for a better quality of life.

The app can be used by both science and class teachers to discuss topics related to energy sources and pollution, which are topics aligned to the Learning Outcomes for Primary Science. This collaboration and the resulting app reinforce both the application of science to daily life and the importance that each and every one of us plays, even from a young age, in maintaining a healthy environment.

4 May 2021

The Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) and Ambjent Malta (AM) are working in tandem on a habitat restoration project in Comino. This project foresees the implementation of numerous management measures to improve Comino’s landscape and restore its habitats in line with the approved Natura 2000 Management Plan for the area. ERA and AM have been working on various projects on this island since 2017. In May 2021, ERA and AM will be showcasing the achievements obtained so far, whilst also implementing new restoration projects around the island.

ERA and AM will start implementing the following projects in the coming weeks, starting today with the first phase of the project aimed at the rehabilitation of the coastal wetland at Il-Qala ta’ Santa Marija, through the restoration of the habitat in the area. Works include:

  • Re-establishment of native marshland community to restore plant communities native to the area and attract migratory waders through the recreation of the two brackish water ponds;
  • Removal of invasive alien species planted and invading the area, including trees-of-heaven (ix-xumakk il-falz), wattles (l-akaċja) and prickly pear (il-bajtar tax-xewk);
  • Transplantation of six olive trees in view that these do not form part of the site’s native habitat composition;
  • Removal of makeshift structures and stone BBQs;
  • Restoration of rubble walls and retention walls.

ERA and AM will also showcase works that have been carried out in the past months, along with future plans, including:

  • Commencement of works leading to habitat restoration of three abandoned agricultural fields through the planting of over 3,000 indigenous trees and shrubs to be completed by spring of 2022
  • Increased protection of the endemic phrygana community (a type of garrigue habitat) found at the Bejn il-Kmienen/Blue Lagoon area through the installation of wooden cordoning to prevent trampling;
  • Removal of disused and unsightly electrical poles;
  • Improvement of fencing at Tal-Ful Camping Site and installation of CCTVs to improve enforcement;
  • Closure of numerous pathways to limit fragmentation of the various garrigue and grassland habitats present on the island;
  • General clean-ups to be carried out by ERA and AM on 3rd-5th May 2022;
  • Maintenance of past habitat restoration projects carried out with the assistance of Birdlife Malta;
  • Underwater and coastal clean-ups, including the removal of ghost fishing nets around Comino to be carried out between 3rd-8th May (subject to weather) with the collaboration of Żibel.

Over the coming days, ERA and AM will be issuing updates on the works carried out prior to the opening of the summer season. An opportunity will also be given to journalists to visit the island and see the works undertaken in the various sites around the island of Comino.

26 April 2021

The ERA Board has unanimously approved the Final Assessment for the proposed City Centre multi-use development bearing PA 03807/17 in accordance with all the mitigation measures present within the Environment Impact Assessment and conditions recommended.

As part of the development permit process for the City Centre multi-use development, including excavation of the former ITS, the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) had requested an Environmental Planning Statement (EPS) in accordance with the former Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations. Furthermore, ERA had also requested Appropriate Assessments (AA) as per the Flora, Fauna, and Natural Habitats Protection Regulations since the said development is located within a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) of International Importance of Żona fil‐Baħar fil‐Grigal ta’ Malta (MT0000105) and L-Inħawi ta’ Pembroke (MT0000002).

The Authority had provided its Assessment and Recommendations along with the development conditions in May 2018 on the original proposal.

In 2020, a revised version of the development was submitted by the project proponents and the ERA requested a statement from the EIA Coordinator who carried out the EIA Report for the previous development proposal to confirm or otherwise whether the proposed material changes vis-à-vis the downscaling of the project are likely to change any of the findings and conclusions of the EIA carried out for the earlier version of the proposal. A similar statement was requested for the AA undertaken for the same project. The statements and information presented were assessed by the Authority’s Directorate. The assessment takes into account the conclusions of the EIA consultants’ updated evaluation of the proposal as part of the EIA and AA processes, including any relevant ancillary documentation as well as the comments received from the public concerned following a 30-day public consultation. Through the assessment of the updated documentation on the EIA and AA, the Authority’s Directorate concluded that the level of significance of the environmental impacts from the 2020 proposal remain unchanged and that the findings and conclusions of the original EIA and AAs are still valid.

In this regard, the main points of concern as per ERA’s ‘Report on Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and the Appropriate Assessment (AA) – May 2018’) relating to Ħarq il-Ħammiem cave as well as infrastructure, air quality and effects on terrestrial SAC were reiterated in the Final Assessment. Specifically, the mitigation measures as well as the methodologies as proposed by the Geo-Technical Engineers in their declarations with respect to Ħarq il-Ħammiem cave, along with other measures were recommended for inclusion as conditions to the development permit.

In this regard, the Final Assessment prepared by the Directorate was referred for the consideration of the ERA Board in line with the EIA Regulations. The decision taken by the ERA Board on 23rd April 2021 confirmed the Final Assessment put forward by the Directorate, which position will be submitted to the Planning Authority to be taken into consideration during the decision-taking on the application for the development permit on the proposed development.

23 April 2021