Category: Press Releases

The Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) received a request to declare the existing carob trees in Triq San Ġwann Bosco, Dingli (refer to map below) as a Tree Protection Area (TPA) under criteria 4(d) and 4(e) of regulation 6 of the Trees and Woodlands Protection Regulations (SL 549.123).

Whilst acknowledging the relevance of these trees, the Authority noted that for such trees to qualify as TPA as per regulation 6, these trees have to exhibit exceptional particular features.

The carob trees in question are not linked to past specific cultural and historical events and are not considered as a prominent landmark. Moreover, they do not form any peculiar landscape or specific habitat types or features as listed in the Flora, Fauna and Natural Habitats Protection Regulations (SL 549.44) and the copse does not feature any pertinent diversity within its tree formation with no or limited underbrush and no diversity in woodland species.

The Authority also noted that other carob trees present within the area outside the development zone are protected under the Trees and Woodlands Protection Regulations (SL 549.123).

The ERA Board voted not to uphold the proposal by Moviment Graffitti with six votes in favour and two against.

22 January 2021

The Environment and Resources Authority (ERA), has been participating in an Interreg Europe project called WINPOL – Waste Management Intelligent Systems and Policies together with eight (8) other project partners from Spain, Belgium, Greece, Slovenia and Romania. The overarching aim of WINPOL is to improve waste management policies through the use of intelligent equipment and innovative systems for waste disposal and collection, and contribute to waste minimisation in European cities and regions, through improved management procedures and awareness campaigns.

The project has reached the end of Phase 1- the Interregional Learning Phase.  The partners have had various opportunities throughout this phase to:

• Learn on a number of good practices shared by other partner regions;
• Participate in thematic seminars;
• Organise local stakeholders meetings and targeted events to discuss and help increase knowledge on intelligent equipment and related practices; and
• Attend study visits to understand the situation in the partner territories and see in person the technologies and/or systems applied. Such visits were held in Gijon (Spain), Maribor (Slovenia), Imola (Italy), Antwerp and Ghent (Belgium).

Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic hindered the last few months of this phase, forcing the partners to reschedule the last few study visits, namely in Bergen Norway, and even local meetings/events. Nevertheless, the exchange of experiences was still carried out virtually and achieved fruitful results.

Furthermore, the good practices exchanged by the partners throughout Phase 1 were acknowledged through the publication of a Good Practices Guide. This publication gathers over 26 innovative practices collected all over Europe, including Malta, whereby ERA presented two good practices; The iBins and the Solar compact Bins. The good practise are separated into two categories: “Use of data and technologies to optimise systems” and “Innovative models” and can be explored either by geographical location or by the theme(s) associated to it. These themes cover topics as varied as feedback to citizens, civic amenity sites, fly-tipping clearance, and eco-event, monitoring and decision-making.

In addition, as part of the obligations set out by the project, every project partner, including ERA, were required to draft an action plan with one or more actions inspired by the project. The aim is to transfer these actions into the local context. In total, there will be six Action Plans presented and will be monitored throughout the second phase of the project, commencing December 2020. Each project partner will have two years (until November 2022) to implement their action/s and concretely improve their performances in terms of waste management and sustainability.

For more information:

Phone (+356) 2292 3500

Email [email protected]

The WINPOL project – Waste Management Intelligent Systems and Policies – aims to foster and promote the use of intelligent equipment and planning derived from it, through improved waste management policies, thus contributing to waste minimisation in European cities and regions. Find out more information about the project on www.interregeurope.eu/winp

10 December 2020

ERA is currently assessing the status of the degu in Malta following recent reports in Malta.

In line with the recently adopted National Strategy for Preventing and Mitigating the Impact of Invasive Alien Species (IAS) in the Maltese Islands, a rapid response process has been set up to assess the best way to control the spread of this invasive alien species in Malta, with particular reference to Buskett, in collaboration with other entities.

The Degu, Octogon degu, also known as the Chilean Rat or Common Degu, is a rodent native to Chile (South America) and is related to the chinchilla and the guinea pigs. It was introduced in Malta as part of the pet trade and was either deliberately released into the wild or escaped from confinement.

Whilst it is noted that some experts indicate that it might not survive the summer dry and hot climate of Malta, ERA is considering the precautionary approach. This is also considering the presence of humid valleys and areas with perennial springs in the Maltese Islands. Moreover, ERA notes that some species which were claimed as ‘difficult to establish themselves in Malta’ have now became invasive alien species in a number of areas in Malta and Gozo, including the Levantine Frog (il-qorru; iż-żrinġ l-għarib), the Red-Eared Slider (il-fekruna tal-ilma ħelu) and different Freshwater Crayfish (iċ-ċkala tal-ilma ħelu). These species are either escapees from the pet trade or were deliberately released or discarded into the environment.

ERA shall also be addressing these issues through further awareness processes and discussions with stakeholders. This is particularly relevant in relation to the National Codes of Good Practice on Invasive Alien Species, which addresses such matter and also include DOs and DON’Ts in relation to pets. The Authority is also concluding the Action Plan addressing Escape from Confinement of Invasive Alien Species (IAS), which was also subject to earlier public consultation earlier this year and which will be adopted in the coming weeks.

The Authority also reminded that pets should never be deliberately released or abandoned into the environment, since many do not survive whilst others may not only thrive but become invasive, leading to considerable environmental and economic issues, with potential impacts to nature and biodiversity as well as agriculture and fisheries, amongst other sectors.

22 November 2020

The Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) has organised an online event during which a number of participants from Small and Medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) were invited to discuss current technologies and systems within the waste sector. These participants were also invited to identify key technologies, worth capitalising, that can assist in improving waste management policies in Malta.

This was ERA’s third event out of four, as part of the Interreg Europe Project called WINPOL (Waste Management Intelligent Systems and Policies). Interreg is a series of programmes to stimulate cooperation between regions in the European Union, funded by the European Regional Development Fund.

As Malta’s main regulator on environmental matters, ERA always has to be one-step ahead in a field that is constantly changing. The primary aim of this particular project is to improve waste management policies so that they progressively support and promote the use of smart technologies and intelligent equipment, for more resource-efficient waste disposal and collection systems. The waste management industry is evolving towards the remodelling of waste handling and disposal systems for greater efficiency and increased environmental protection.

The attendees were provided with an overview about WINPOL and briefed on current intelligent waste management equipment being set up in partner regions in the EU. In addition, a guest speaker from the Ministry for Foreign and European Affairs was present to provide information, including references to guidelines and instructions, on investment funds and scheme opportunities available in Malta, particularly the ERDF grant schemes. The Authority believes that SMEs have a very important role to play in protecting the environment, and although going green may seem expensive at first, in the longer term, it can certainly boost their business by rendering it more efficient, increase their business credibility, their competitiveness in their respective sectors as well as generate new markets.

Following the event, ERA received positive feedback from various participants, with some also expressing their interest in collaborating with ERA in the near future, specifically targeting the waste sector.

The last event for WINPOL will be reaching the public sector responsible for waste management in Malta.

For more information:
Phone (+356) 2292 3500
Email [email protected]

The WINPOL project – Waste Management Intelligent Systems and Policies – aims to foster and promote the use of intelligent equipment and planning derived from it, through improved waste management policies, thus contributing to waste minimisation in European cities and regions. Find out more information about the project on www.interregeurope.eu/winpol

21 November 2020

The Environment and Resources Authority (ERA), together with the University of Malta and Heritage Malta, will start implementing a new project addressing issues linked with Marine Protected Areas. CORALLO is an EU funded project which was formally approved for funding in October 2020.

ERA has designated 35% of Malta’s marine waters as ‘Marine Protected Areas’ under the Natura 2000 network. Notwithstanding this, awareness on the immense variety of living and non-living elements present within these sites is unfortunately limited. Such lack of awareness is expected to be addressed by the CORALLO project, which aims to achieve its goals through a diverse array of tools focusing on education and entertainment.
Such tools will include various resources and means of informal education for a varied spectrum of audiences and will be installed at four popular visitors’ centres: the Malta Maritime Museum; the Għar Dalam Museum; Ħaġar Qim/Mnajdra; and the White Tower Bay Visitors’ Centre. These are operated by either Heritage Malta or Din l-Art Ħelwa and the Malta Tourism Authority (MTA).

CORALLO is the only funded project within the Interreg V-A Italia-Malta 2014-2020 2nd Call for proposals and will be coordinated, led and was incepted by the University of Malta, through Prof. Alan Deidun, resident academic within the Department of Geosciences at the Faculty of Science.
Besides the University of Malta, ERA and Heritage Malta from the Maltese side, the seven-partner project Consortium also includes ARPA Sicilia, the University of Palermo, the Consorzio Plemmirio and Corissia from the Italian side.

This is a 30-month project which is expected to end in 2023.

Further info on UOM Website.

20 November 2020

Biodiversity conservation and proper management of our ecosystems includes identification and prevention of invasive alien species on our islands, and it is an integral part of our work towards climate change mitigation. This might seem obvious, but it’s a result of meaningful political commitments, and economic growth and prosperity cannot come at the detriment of our precious natural resources, Minister for the Environment, Climate Change and Planning Aaron Farrugia said.

The Minister announced the launch of a National Strategy for Preventing and Mitigating the Impact of Invasive Alien Species by the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA), and explained that invasive alien species are among the most significant cause of biodiversity degradation impacting our rural, urban, and maritime environment.

He explained that, as an island, Malta is susceptible to such species including animals, plants, fungi and other organisms which can cause problems to our ecosystems.

Throughout the years, a number of alien species were introduced in the Maltese islands. Although alien species are not all problematic, some of them become invasive and create serious environmental issues.

Interventions related to the removal of species around the islands based on this strategy are ongoing, whereby tonnes of invasive alien species were already removed from a number of areas. In 2020 alone, the Ministry cleared around 93 tonnes of invasive alien species from l-Irdum tal-Madonna, l-Aħrax tal-Mellieħa, and two tonnes from Wied Għollieqa, Pembroke, and Marsaxlokk.

The launch of this strategy coincides with scientific evidence indicating widespread global biodiversity loss, allowing Malta to strengthen its efforts to protect local ecosystems.

This strategy is proposing coordinated processes with cooperation efforts for:

• The prevention of species which could cause harm to our environment;
• Evaluation of risks;
• Early identification;
• Timely response;
• Other initiatives which need to be taken into account for effective follow-up management as necessary.

“All this could not have been possible without the work done by ERA, and the result of a series of stakeholder meetings, a public consultation and a lot of scientific research. These have helped refine this document to reflect the national goals for the protection of our environment so that it can be enjoyed by future generations,” the Minister said. “But this is not enough; we must now work together to ensure collective implementation to effectively safeguard our environment.”

ERA CEO Michelle Piccinino said that ERA is continuing its work to protect our country’s biodiversity, and has therefore launched this strategy to raise awareness on invasive alien species and the risk they pose, as well as to create measures to address their impacts.

7 November 2020