ERA’s Board has just approved the mutually agreed termination of the CEO Dr Louise Spiteri with immediate effect.
Perit Michelle Piccinino has been appointed Acting CEO until a call is issued as provided in law.
The Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) is saddened by the loss of Mr Michael Briffa, one of Malta’s most humble and prominent experts on local plants and fungi.
Mr Briffa was also acknowledged of his valuable contribution to the country in 2017, when he was awarded the prestigious Buonamico Award, Indeed, Mr Briffa was awarded the very first award of this award, which was set up by ERA, under the patronage of H.E. President of Malta, to recognise individuals who significantly contributed towards the protection of our natural heritage.
Michael Briffa was born in 17th November 1926 and has been a prominent figure in research on our local flora. Briffa’s passion on local plants and fungi led to valuable knowledge to the scientific community on local vascular plants, fungi and slime moulds – with various new records of species for Malta, new localities for rare species and the rediscovery of species previously considered as possibly extinct.
Amongst his most renowned discoveries is the thorny burnet (tursin il-għul xewwieki), a very rare shrub in Malta found for the first time in 1985; the narrow-leaved grape-hyacinth (il-muskari s-skur), a bulbous flowering plant first reported by him in 1983; and the small-flowered buttercup (iċ-ċfolloq)in 1985. Additional rediscoveries of important species include the Maltese dwarf hawksbeard (il-melitella), a species first described in the world from Malta in the early 20th century and rediscovered by him in 1983, and which is now protected at international level, as well as the dog rose (wardet il-klieb) and a species of viper’s bugloss (lsien il-fart), rediscovered after more than a century; the very rare beaked spider orchid (il-brimba ta’ Sqallija) ; and more than 40 other flowering plant species. He also rediscovered the white-flowered form of the National Plant, the Maltese Rock-Centaury (widnet il-baħar); such form was first included in the description of the species by Stefano Zerapha in 1827 but not found for decades.
In 1980s, he also became interested in fungi (particularly wild mushrooms and toadstools) and later in 1995 in the related slime moulds. More than 300 fungal species were encountered during his studies, with several new records for Malta. Notable fungi include Amanita mushrooms; the polypore Inonotus euphoriae; as well as various species association with oak/pine woodlands as well as rockrose phrygana. As to slime moulds and related species, Briffa compiled the first annotated checklist of 71 species in 1997, amongst which he enlisted several rare species as well as a number of species which were never recorded been in the Mediterranean Region.
Most of the discoveries by Michael Briffa are included in the official ‘Red Data Book for the Maltese Islands’ issued by the precursor to the Environment & Resources Authority (ERA), and a good number of species are now protected by law, either directly as protected species or through the protection of their habitats through the Natura 2000 network and the related designation of Special Areas of Conservation and Tree Protection Areas by ERA.
ERA’s heartfelt and sincere condolences are extended to his family and relatives, who have also supported Mr Briffa. Mr Michael Briffa’s memory will surely live on through his significant contribution to our knowledge on local biodiversity and his efforts towards safeguarding our natural environment.
7 February 2020
The Environment & Resources Authority (ERA) holds a launch event for its Structural Reform Support Programme (SRSP) project entitled ‘Reform and Capacity-Building in Permitting and Compliance at ERA. The project will be implemented in cooperation with the European Commission and IMPEL.
This project will continue to strengthen the reform process in the environment sector through improving and optimising regulatory capacity for permitting, compliance and enforcement at ERA.
It intends to support ERA in its efforts to strengthen regulatory processes and meet the demands expected of the environmental regulator, which will in turn contribute to the national socio-economic goals by enabling environmental regulation that does not put undue burden on businesses and operators whilst improving quality of life in the islands.
The project is comprised of three main components;
• Assessment – In which an assessment of the current system will be taking place, closely followed by the proposition of a roadmap for change.
• Capacity-Building – In which a training needs assessment will be undertaken to develop a made to measure training programme which will then be delivered to ERA officials.
• & Information Management – In which internal systems will be developed to manage information in an increasingly efficient manner.
Once completed the project will strengthen the environmental regulator, ensuring activities respect environmental parameters and build capacity within the Environment Permitting Unit and the Compliance and Enforcement Directorate, ultimately, reinforcing the development of a stronger environmental regulator.
The Environment & Resources Authority (ERA) would like to reiterate that the works which were not in conformity with the approved permit have been stopped by its enforcement officers, and only works covered by the permit were allowed to continue.
It is to also be noted that ERA’s permitting process has a procedural mechanism that allows for an applicant to deviate from approved plans through the submission of a Variation of Permit application, in which any proposed deviations from the permits that are yet to be undertaken are processed and considered on their own merits.
This variation process does not consider sanctioning of works already undertaken, since such works are subject to enforcement action by ERA. Furthermore, deviations from approved drawings may only be undertaken once a variation application is duly considered, determined and approved.
Any works undertaken without approval, are subject to enforcement action by ERA.
The Environment and Resources Authority is closely following Infrastructure Malta’s ongoing repair works of sections of the rural road at Wied Qirda, to ensure the protection of this area of high natural importance.
Infrastructure Malta confirms that it is collaborating with the Authority in all stages of this infrastructural investment, so that the required works to restore the safety of the indicated road are carefully implemented, using methods that do not endanger the area’s long-term environmental sustainability. Moreover, once the road repair works are completed, it will contribute to the regeneration of this valley with all necessary interventions specified by the same Authority.
The Agency clarifies that its works in this part of the road during the last few months were required due to the necessary replacement of the pre-existing asphalt surface within the road width, and the structural repair of a short stretch of the same road which had collapsed during various storms. These repairs include the excavation of existing foundations, building of new retaining walls on stronger footings and the replacement of an adjacent road crossing to avoid further storm damages in the future. The road crossing, including a dam formed decades ago, was blocking the natural flow of water in this part of the valley. The Authority and the Agency confirm that its removal can be a way to enhance the valley system and enable the regeneration of this part of the valley to its natural state, whilst reducing the impact of water erosion on the road alongside the valley.
The Environment and Resources Authority notes that the Stop and Enforcement Order issued in November 2019 was not meant to stop the works permitted by law to repair the road and render it safe to the public, but to request that it is informed on the methodology of works and to ensure least impact on the environment. The Authority issued this Order to make sure that any other works in this area, if required, are carried out in strict adherence to approved method statements, and that the contractors involved recognise the ecological importance of this area and reduce any negative impacts with appropriate mitigation measures. Moreover, the Order was issued so that plans for any non-urgent works commissioned by the Agency in this area are analysed by its environment protection officers before they are carried out.
The Authority also notes that when the Enforcement Order was issued, it informed the Agency that in another section of the same road, a 70 square metre area of disturbed land outside the pre-existing footprint had been asphalted. Infrastructure Malta’s contractors immediately complied and this asphalt was removed within a few days.
In another section of this road, additional road foundation and rubble wall reconstruction works are needed to repair damages caused by a truck that accidentally overturned on the side of the road during the resurfacing works late last year. Whilst these repairs are necessary, they do not constitute a public safety risk. In fact, Infrastructure Malta has not yet carried out these works. The Authority will consider these works together with the rest, to evaluate the intervention in its entirety with method statements and related plans, so that it can propose any additional protective measures. Repair works in this section of the road will commence in the coming weeks, when final method statements are confirmed and approved.
When all road works are completed, the Authority will continue to monitor the area to verify that Infrastructure Malta reinstates the valley to its natural state. In this regard, any reinstatement works required will also be implemented by Infrastructure Malta.
24 January 2020
The Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) Board has today, 24th January 2020, taken a decision as indicated below on the IPPC permit for the following application
• Waste Oil Co. Ltd Variation and Renewal of IPPC permit – APPROVED
The installation is located at 42, Spencer Hill in Marsa. The activities carried out on site are within scope of Section 5.1 in Schedule 1 of the Industrial Emissions (integrated pollution prevention and control) Regulation (S.L.549.77):
‘’5.1: Disposal or recovery of hazardous waste with a capacity exceeding 10 tonnes per day involving one or more of the following activities: … (j) oil re-refining or other reuses of oil… ‘‘
The application submitted by Waste Oil Co. Ltd covers the variation and renewal of the IPPC permit. The variation considered is related to the storage of used cooking oil collected from households and commercial premises.
The IPPC permit variation and renewal covers a number of environmental obligations which the Permit Holder is to fulfill throughout the validity of the permit to ensure the required level of environmental protection and to ensure that all operations are in line with the Best Available Techniques established at a European level.
All documentation related to this application are available on the ERA website at www.era.org.mt
For further information contact [email protected]
The Environment and Resources Authority’s Compliance and Enforcement Directorate is currently working in conjunction with the Malta Customs and the Plant Health Directorate to investigate a smuggling attempt of a consignment of live wild animals.
The smuggling attempt was thwarted by Customs and Police late on the 21st of January following the return of a couple of Maltese nationals from Sicily. The goods were found following a search of their vehicle soon after their arrival on the ferry originating from Pozzallo, Sicily.
Officers from ERA’s Compliance and Enforcement Directorate subsequently examined the consignment and determined that it was comprised 6 tortoises; a frog; and several invertebrates, namely spiders; dragonfly larvae; caterpillars, and a water beetle.
These were identified as being of species whose importation and possession is restricted by virtue of International law, European Community law and domestic legislation.
Furthermore, it was determined that the species in question presented a threat to Malta’s biological identity, since these could potentially establish populations in the wild or interbreed with locally occurring species. This resulted in the specimens being seized for further investigations.
On the 6th of December 2019, The Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) Board, took a decision as indicated below on the IPPC permit for the following application;
• Application for IPPC permit of DDE Attard Ltd. (IP001/13) – APPROVED
The installation is located in Scrap lane, Valletta Road, Luqa where the activities carried out by the operator are mainly the temporary storage, processing and export of hazardous and non-hazardous waste.
The IPPC permit covers a number of environmental obligations which the Permit Holder is to fulfil throughout the validity of the permit to ensure the required level of environmental protection and to ensure that all operations are in line with the Best Available Techniques established at a European level.
All documentation related to this application is available here.
For further information contact [email protected]
Through the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA), over 800 tons of construction and mixed material was removed from two areas within the Majjistral Park. The first area tackled was an area known as il-Prajjet, which is situated close to Anchor Bay. Next to be addressed was Ix-Xagħra Il-Ħamra, an area which is close to Manikata. This clean-up is expected to not only improve the aesthetics of the localities, but more importantly will help improve the biodiversity in the area. This is fruit of a Memorandum of Understanding between ERA and the Majjistral Board, which is the responsible administrator of the Majjistral, Nature and History Park, and through which ERA funds such restoration and rehabilitation action and provide relevant expertise.
Tons of Invasive Alien Species were also removed from these protected areas to continue the process of restoring these sites back to their natural state. Invasive alien species that were targeted included the prickly pear and wattle/acacia trees which were taking over the garrigue (xagħri) habitat and the native plants and trees within. Following these extensive works, ERA shall continue regenerating the area by planting indigenous species where the works took place.
While the works carried out are substantial, more works in other areas within this extensive park are scheduled for 2020. Such works include further removal of invasive alien species, restoration of habitats through rehabilitation and/or forestation, the planting of indigenous plants as well as the restoration of rubble walls and a water reservoir.
Mr Darrin T Stevens, Deputy Director Environment and Resources and a representative of ERA on the Majjistral board, added that “in addition to these works, various awareness and outreach initiatives are in the pipeline in order to promote the Majjistral Park, so as to ensure that the visitors can enjoy better and understand the biodiversity within”.
Europe will not achieve its 2030 goals without urgent action during the next 10 years to address the alarming rate of biodiversity loss, increasing impacts of climate change and the overconsumption of natural resources. The European Environment Agency’s (EEA) latest ‘State of the Environment’ report published today states that Europe faces environmental challenges of unprecedented scale and urgency. The report says, however, there is reason for hope, amid increased public awareness of the need to shift to a sustainable future, technological innovations, growing community initiatives and stepped up EU action like the European Green Deal.
While European environment and climate policies have helped to improve the environment over recent decades, Europe is not making enough progress and the outlook for the environment in the coming decade is not positive, according to the ‘European environment — state and outlook 2020 (SOER 2020)’ report.
SOER 2020 is the most comprehensive environmental assessment ever undertaken on Europe. It provides a stark snapshot of where Europe stands in meeting 2020 and 2030 policy targets as well as longer term 2050 goals and ambitions to shift to a sustainable, low carbon future. The report notes that Europe has already made significant progress over the past two decades in terms of climate change mitigation, reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Signs of progress are also evident in other areas, such as tackling air and water pollution and the introduction of new policies to tackle plastic waste and bolster climate change adaptation and the circular and bio-economy. Furthermore, the EU’s sustainable finance initiative is the first of its kind on the role of the financial sector in driving the necessary shift to a sustainable future.
Urgent call for scaling up and speeding up change
While these achievements are significant, Europe will not achieve its sustainability vision of ‘living well within the limits of the planet’ by continuing to promote economic growth and seeking to manage the environmental and social impacts. The report urges European countries, leaders and policymakers to seize the opportunity and use the next decade to radically scale up and speed up actions to put Europe back on track to meeting its medium and longer-term environmental policy goals and targets to avoid irreversible change and damage.
The current range of European policy actions provide an essential foundation for future progress but they are not enough. Europe needs to do things better, it needs to address certain challenges differently, and it needs to rethink its investments. Achieving Europe’s goals will require better implementation and improved coordination between current policies. It will also need additional policy actions to achieve fundamental change in the key systems of production and consumption that underpin our modern lifestyles, such as food, energy and mobility, which have substantial environmental impacts.
The report also stresses the importance of how governments can enable a transition to sustainability and the need to address things differently. For example, Europe should rethink how it uses existing innovations and technologies, how production processes could be improved, how research and development into sustainability could be fostered and how changes in consumption patterns and ways of living could be stimulated.
Lastly, achieving such change will require investing in a sustainable future and stopping using public funds to subsidise environmentally damaging activities. Europe will gain immensely from such a change in investment priorities because of the economic and social opportunities that it can create. At the same time, it will be crucial to listen to public concerns and ensure widespread support for such a shift — a socially fair transition.
‘The State of the Environment Report is perfectly timed to give us the added impetus we need as we start a new five-year cycle in the European Commission and as we prepare to present the European Green Deal. In the next five years we will put in place a truly transformative agenda, rolling out new clean technologies, helping citizens to adapt to new job opportunities and changing industries, and shifting to cleaner and more efficient mobility systems and more sustainable food and farming. There will be multiple benefits for Europe and for Europeans if we get this right, and our economy and our planet will be winners too. This is an urgent global challenge, and a unique opportunity for Europe,’ said Frans Timmermans, Executive Vice President of the European Commission.
‘Europe’s environment is at a tipping point. We have a narrow window of opportunity in the next decade to scale up measures to protect nature, lessen the impacts of climate change and radically reduce our consumption of natural resources. Our assessment shows that incremental changes have resulted in progress in some areas but not nearly enough to meet our long-term goals. We already have the knowledge, technologies and tools we need to make key production and consumption systems such as food, mobility and energy sustainable. Our future well-being and prosperity depend on this and our ability to harness society wide action to bring about change and create a better future,’ said Hans Bruyninckx, EEA Executive Director.
The state of the environment has worsened, outlook is mixed
Overall environmental trends in Europe have not improved since the last EEA state of the environment report in 2015. The assessment notes that while most of the 2020 targets will not be achieved, especially those on biodiversity, there is still a chance to meet the longer-term goals and objectives for 2030 and 2050.
Europe has made important gains in resource efficiency and the circular economy. But recent trends highlight a slowing down of progress in areas such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions, industrial emissions, waste generation, improving energy efficiency and the share of renewable energy. Looking ahead, the current rate of progress will not be enough to meet 2030 and 2050 climate and energy targets.
Protecting and conserving European biodiversity and nature remains the biggest area of discouraging progress. Of the 13 specific policy objectives set for 2020 in this area, only two are likely be met: designating marine protected areas and terrestrial protected areas. Looking ahead to 2030, if current trends continue, they will result in further deterioration of nature and continued pollution of air, water and soil.
Climate change, air and noise pollution impacts on the environment and human health are also still of concern. Exposure to fine particulate matter is responsible for around 400 000 premature deaths in Europe every year, affecting central and eastern European countries disproportionally. There is also growing concern over hazardous chemicals and the risks they pose. Looking ahead, the prospects for reducing environmental risks to health would be improved with better integration of environment and health policies.
Greenhouse gas emission trends and projections in the EU-28, 1990-2050
Mt CO2e: Million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent
A sustainable future is still possible: where to take action?
Achieving Europe’s low carbon and sustainability vision is still possible. The report outlines seven key areas where bold action is needed to get Europe back on track to achieve its 2030 and 2050 goals and ambitions.
- Realise the unfulfilled potential of existing environmental policies. Fully implementing existing policies would take Europe a long way to achieving its environmental goals up to 2030.
- Embrace sustainability as the framework for policy making. Developing long-term policy frameworks with binding targets — starting with the food system, chemicals and land use — will stimulate and guide coherent actions across policy areas and society.
- Lead international action towards sustainability. The EU should use its diplomatic and economic influence to promote the adoption of ambitious international agreements in areas such as biodiversity and resource use.
- Foster innovation throughout society. Changing the current trajectory will closely depend on the emergence and spread of diverse forms of innovation that can trigger new ways of thinking and living.
- Scale up investments and reorient the finance sector to support sustainable projects and businesses. This requires investing in the future by making full use of public funds to support innovation and nature-based solutions, procuring sustainably and supporting impacted sectors and regions. It also entails engaging the financial sector in sustainable investment by implementing and building on the EU’s Sustainable Finance Action Plan.
- Manage risks and ensure a socially fair transition. A successful transition to sustainability will require that societies acknowledge potential risks, opportunities and trade-offs, and devise ways to manage them. EU and national policies have an essential role in achieving ‘just transitions’ making sure no one is left behind.
- Build more knowledge and know-how. This entails additional focus on understanding the systems driving environmental pressures, pathways to sustainability, promising initiatives and barriers to change. Further capacity-building is needed to navigate a rapidly changing world by investing in education and skills.
Background – Note to editors
The European environment – state and outlook 2020 is published by the EEA every five years as mandated in its regulation. SOER 2020 is the 6th SOER published by the EEA since 1995. It offers solid, science-based insights on how we must respond to the huge and complex challenges we face, such as climate change, biodiversity loss and air and water pollution. SOER 2020 has been prepared in close collaboration with the EEA’s European Environment Information and Observation Network (Eionet). The report draws on the Eionet’s vast expertise of leading experts and scientists in the environmental field, across the EEA’s 33 member countries and six cooperating countries.
EEA Press Office contacts:
Constant Brand
Press Officer
Phone: +45 3336 7109
Mobile:+45 2174 1872
Email: [email protected]
Antti Kaartinen
Press officer
Phone: +45 3336 7176
Mobile: +45 2336 1381
Email: [email protected]
