Dr Daniel Micallef and Dr Stanley Zammit are this year’s Buonamico Award winners. The Buonamico Award is a yearly award-giving ceremony under the patronage of H.E. President of Malta to honour individuals who have made significant contribution to our knowledge and/or management of local biodiversity and environmental resources. Giovanni Francesco Buonamico was a 17th century Maltese naturalist, whose varied intellectual interests resulted in the writing of at least four important manuscripts on natural history. These included the first flora of the Maltese Islands, the so-called “Brevis Notitia” manuscripts.

July this year marks the 33rd year from when Dr Daniel Micallef was appointed Minister for Education and the Environment. It was due to his strong conviction and persistence that the Environment became part of a Ministry for the first time in Malta’s history. Shortly after becoming a Minister, he set up the Institute for the Design of Environmental Action (IDEA). Through this institute, he sowed a seed in the Maltese awareness that the environment needed to be approached seriously and urgently. Dr Micallef constantly spoke of the need for the environment to be tackled in a holistic manner, rather than a subject to be addressed independently from the rest.

Most people in Malta surely remember Xummiemu, the amicable hedgehog advocating good practices in relation to the environment. The friendly character was the brainchild of Dr Stanley Zammit, a medical doctor who served both locally and abroad. Whilst serving as Parliamentary Secretary for the Environment, he was responsible for the first Legal Notices published under the Environment Protection Act framework, concerning, amongst others, the protection of flora and fauna and the abatement of pollution.

Dr Zammit was also behind the creation of the first ever Environment Protection Department and was instrumental in the establishment of an Administrative Law Enforcement Section within the Maltese Police Force, in order to assist in the enforcement of environment related regulations. Dr Zammit was also very conscious of the need to raise environmental awareness; to this end, he placed a great emphasis on public information and educational initiatives.

Both the President of Malta, His Excellency Dr George Vella, and ERA’s Chairman, Professor Victor Axiak, congratulated the winners and their families, whilst thanking them for their priceless efforts towards the environment and for bravely spearheading initiatives that starting to bring about societal change within Malta and amongst the Maltese.

4 July 2019

The Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) would like to clarify that apart from the designated zone at ‘Tal-Ful’ no camping activity can be carried out on Comino, unless authorised by the Authority. Such requests are evaluated by the Authority and are subject to various conditions.

Camping at ‘Tal-Ful’ area can be carried out as of this summer after AmbjentMALTA completed restructuring works including removal of illegally dumped material, installation of fencing, planting of various trees and levelling off the ground.

ERA’s statements in January are related to enforcement action taken in the vicinity of Santa Marija Bay and refer to unregulated activity that was being held indiscriminately. Such unregulated activity was leading to the degradation of the important habitats in the area.

Permits were issued under specific conditions, whereby the permit holder must ensure that there is no disturbance of any specimen or any protected species and that all precautions are taken to avoid environmental harm. The permit holder must respect the protection status of the area and make no physical modification of the site or the surroundings. The permit holder is responsible for the collection and disposal of any litter, refuse or waste originated and generated during the camping activity. The site must be cleaned and restored to its original condition by the permit holder, without causing any harm to the protected area and the surrounding environment.

Further conditions refer to the amount of lighting and noise generated, conditions for holding barbeques, together with the prohibition of generators, liquid fuel and other combustible material.
The conditions imposed must be adhered to throughout all the activities.

 

From the start of this year until the 26th June 2019, The Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) caught 117 people red-handed taking out domestic waste on the wrong days, or taking out their waste well before collection time. The largest amount of perpetrators were in Qawra and Buġibba (55), followed by Marsaskala (26).

 

Around 14 ERA officials do rounds around Malta and Gozo at least twice a week and issue administrative fines of €150 when people are caught red-handed. These rounds happen both during the day and at night, till the early hours of the morning. The Local Enforcement System Agency (LESA) are also responsible for enforcement on this matter and ERA’s role as regulator is different from the role of waste collection.

 

As of October last year, ERA officials started monitoring cities and towns spread across the north and the south of the island, including Gozo. During the first three months of conducting these exercises, ERA took on an educative role, explaining to people rather than issuing fines straight away. Officials explained to people caught red-handed on the importance of taking out the correct waste bin, on the right dates and timing as stipulated by the law.

ERA also intervenes when people dispose of their waste on the floor next to Bring-In Sites, rather than depositing their items in the correct bin. Fines are also administered to those who take out their waste more than four hours before waste is collected and those who take out their waste the night before. This applies to all types of waste, including restaurant waste and waste generated from shops, unless there are arrangements whereby the owners of these establishments have their own private collectors, collecting waste at reasonable timings. ERA has also come across cases whereby individuals are caught stealing organic waste bags, which is an illegal act.

As of January this year, ERA started issuing administrative fines. During January 2019, 13 fines were issued, followed by 32 in February 2019. It is imperative to understand that in order for fines to be administered, ERA must actually witness individuals in the act. Therefore these numbers only reflect the number of people who happened to be conducting wrongdoings at a specific time and place. Those being fined are both Maltese and foreigners, and all perpetrators may take matters to court rather than pay the administrative fines.

Director Mario Schembri, in charge of the Compliance and Enforcement Directorate within ERA, appealed to the public to adhere to the rules stipulated by law when it comes to separating and taking out their waste bags, as indicated by their respective Local Councils. He reminded the public that administrative fines cost €150 and if matters are taken to court, the expenses are likely to increase. Nevertheless, he added that the primary motivation for adhering to waste separation rules should be intrinsic,  related to the duties and obligations of every citizen to ensure better environmental practices endorsed by this generation and future ones.

The Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) held successful public consultation sessions about its Single Use Plastics (SUP) strategy, which is currently available for public consultation.

The three sessions, held on separate occasions, addressed over 200 members of the public, the General Retailers and Traders Union (GRTU) and the Chamber of Commerce. Experts from ERA listened to the various points raised during the sessions, in order to comprehend the industry’s suggestions and concerns on the strategy.

The strategy proposes 23 measures, which will lead to a reduction in the consumption of SUP products, therefore less pollution caused by plastic and its products. It will also lead to better waste collection related to these products.

Those involved in the processes of production, importation and distribution of single use plastic products were invited to attend and responded positively. In fact, representatives from various sectors and industries attended ERA’s consultation session and voiced their opinions on the single use plastics strategy. The feedback received will be further evaluated for consideration when drawing up the final strategy document.

The public consultation sessions reflect the stance that the strategy will not simply progress towards becoming legislation. Rather, there must be discussions held with various stakeholders, together with educational campaigns. Legislation must follow a cultural shift, both within the industry and within Maltese communities, and will happen once both industry stakeholders and the public understand the benefits of moving away from using plastics for one time only.

Those wishing to submit feedback on the strategy may do so until the 21st of June 2019, by visiting this link. Queries may be sent by email to [email protected] or made by phoning 2292 3500.

The eighth day of June marks World Oceans Day, a United Nations initiative. This year’s theme is ‘together we can protect and restore our ocean’.

In line with this theme, ERA organized a boat trip that took members of the public to the north of Malta and around Gozo. ERA experts on board delivered a number of short talks and conversed with the attendees. The subjects discussed are highlighted below.

Local marine biodiversity, including the endemic Mediterranean seagrasses and other marine habitats and species

The Neptune Sea-Grass, Posidonia oceanica, is the most widespread seagrass in the Mediterranean, forming seagrass meadows which are important for controlling coastal erosion, climate change, and as a breeding, resting and feeding ground for multiple species.

It is mostly found in the shallow waters, up to 45-50m of depth and may well be one of the oldest living organism on Earth in terms of age.

Other marine habitats and species occur in Malta, with recent findings confirming Maltese waters as very important for biodiversity. In view of this, Malta has considerably increased the protected marine areas in 2016 and 2018, with 4,138 km2 of protected marine areas, reaching over 35% of the Maltese waters being declared as Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) for Malta.

These areas are protected owing to the presence of important seabed habitats, specifically reefs, caves, seagrass meadows, marine turtles, dolphins and other marine habitats and species, in both coastal and deep waters.

The global United Nations’ Biodiversity Target stipulates that 10% of a country’s waters need to be Marine Protected Areas by 2020. Malta has already exceed the targeted percentage.

ERA’s role as a regulator on marine protected areas, with particular focus on current works and objectives for these areas

Some of the Environment and Resources Authority’s roles include gathering scientific information on the marine environment, which leads to designation of protected species and areas. It also includes the monitoring of these species, developing strategic policies, together with legislation on the marine environment.

ERA then coordinates with various other entities responsible for marine matters in developing tangible measures for the protection of our seas.

Currently ERA is in the process of developing the management planning process for the new Marine Protected Areas. In fact, the Authority conducted a public consultation involving various stakeholders. Various conservation objectives and measures are being finalised and implementation will start in 2020.

ERA is also in the process of assessing the status of our marine waters in terms of marine species, such as the noble pen shell, the Maltese top shell. Additionally, the Authority is assessing marine habitats and analysing water quality.

Measures tackling issues on marine waters and its biodiversity

The Marine Monitoring Programme and related implementation measures are ongoing. Work also include issues linked with assessments of habitats, species and associated issues.

Some measures relate to assessment of water quality, wherein Malta is rated second amongst the EU Member States in relation to bathing waters. This result was achieved as about 99% of all sites in Malta being classified as having excellent bathing water quality.

ERA is also addressing multiple measures affecting marine species and habitats, including an assessment of the conservation status of selected marine species, as well as monitoring of the impacts of selected matters, like marine litter and plastics on marine life; this is also coupled with multiple underwater clean-ups and the funding and support that the Authority provides to non-governmental organisations to ensure handling and rehabilitation of injured or stranded animals. These include, amongst others, turtles, whales and dolphins, as well as terrestrial species.

Other work resulted in major findings, with the deepest records for red coral in the Mediterranean region, up to depths over 1,000m. Moreover, exceptional sponge reefs were also found off Gozo, which have hitherto also been protected.

ERA’s Deputy Director on the Environment and Resources, Darrin Stevens, held that the aim of the Authority’s boat trip on World Oceans Day was to highlight the various measures in place that serve to safeguard areas where protected species reside. He thanked the public for expressing interest and encouraged exercises of continuous dialogue, collaboration and engagement in activities aimed at bettering the environment and our quality of life.

For more information, kindly contact [email protected]

Thirty staff members working at the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) registered to have their organs donated after their death. During this same initiative organised by the ERA, a further 19 individuals donated blood.

ERA invited workers from three other companies in the vicinities to visit its premises, where the National Blood Transfusion Service`s mobile unit was present in the parking area, as well as representatives from the National Human Organ and tissues Donation Register.

ERA’s CEO, Dr Louise Spiteri said that such Initiatives complement the Authority’s operations as the regulator for the environment and our obligation to contribute to a sustainable quality of life, and show how generous Maltese and Gozitan workers can be. She added that the significant number of donations reflect the responsibility that ERA employees feel towards current and future Maltese generations.

“I augur that this success helps encourage other companies to organise similar events” continues Dr Spiteri. “This gesture, which occurred during working hours, helps in reducing blood shortages, and significantly increases the quality of life of those in need of blood donations”

She concluded by saying that after this event`s success, the ERA`s administration is considering it as an annual initiative.​

The Environment and Resources Authority (ERA), is participating in an Interreg Europe project bearing the name WINPOL – Waste Management Intelligent Systems and Policies. This project aims to improve policies for waste management so that they increasingly foster and promote the use of intelligent equipment and systems for waste disposal and collection, to contribute to waste minimisation in European cities and regions, through improved management procedures and awareness campaigns.

WINPOL is led by EMULSA (Municipal Company of Urban Environment Services of Gijón) and involves a partnership of 9 European waste management entities from different regions in Spain, Belgium, Greece (Crete), Slovenia, and Romania. The project involves a strong knowledge-sharing component, bringing together cities and regions with experience in smart waste management equipment, and cities and regions planning to introduce them in the mid-term. It will run for 54 months from June 2018 to December 2022, and has a total budget of €1,363,045, of which ERA’s share is €90,967. The project is part-financed by the Interreg Europe 2014-2020 programme at a rate of 85%.

The ERA has already organised the first out of four Target Communication Events, during which a number of eNGOs and organisations were invited to represent civil society. The attendees were provided with an overview of the project and the current intelligent waste management equipment which has already been implemented in partner regions. Current technology and innovation in the waste sector allow container-systems to provide information in real-time, about various parameters including their remaining available capacity to waste collectors; and temperature, amongst others. Such systems are linked to ICT-based solutions which can be used to analyse usage trends, and identify critical groups of waste producers.

Participants highlighted that implementing a legal framework targeting municipal waste through intelligent waste storage units, within new development areas is important to tackle waste separation at source. The Earth Systems Association put forward the notion of underground waste storage units, and indicated that it could be ideal for the local scenario given the limited space available within urban areas.

Furthermore, the attendees emphasised the importance of awareness-raising campaigns for the proper functioning of smart technologies in waste management. In fact, EcoGozo has organised sessions, whereby activities targeting waste separation were organised for children on blue-flagged beaches in Gozo, providing rewards as an incentive to participate. Ultimately, participants identified the main issues within the sector, particularly the generation of food waste in large quantities and the concerning amounts of single-use plastics being generated during concerts, festivals and village feasts. ERA believes that these discussions were rather fruitful and participants offered a number of valuable ideas, which may be incorporated into the Project Action Plan.

Future events will be targeting small and medium enterprises, experts in ICT, the research and innovation sector, and policy institutions. Should you fall within any of these target groups, and are interested in attending, kindly contact ERA on [email protected].

The ERA will be participating in the first thematic seminar focusing on the “Use of Information and Data in the Waste Field” to be held in Maribor Slovenia in mid-May.

For more information:

Phone (+356) 2292 3500

Email: [email protected]​

Those visiting St George’s Square over the weekend will be able to witness an urban space transformed into a spectacle of flowers and colours, as part of the Valletta Green Festival.

The Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) is participating in this festival to communicate its role as a regulator for the environment. ERA’s stand this year has several displays manned by experts, which include interactive games such as a giant carpet game that takes on an environmental twist to the classic snakes and ladders game. This year’s flower display, as part of the festival organized by the Valletta Cultural Agency, takes on an eye-opening angle, having plastic litter accompany some of the 80,000 plants and flowers in order to highlight the ugliness of plastic litter.

  • Air Quality
    This stand provides an interactive experience, delving into the sources of air pollution, ERA’s air quality monitoring network, the health effects of air pollutants, the actions to be taken in order to improve air quality, together with the resulting benefits. ERA monitors air quality in real time, by means of technological systems placed in Msida, Żejtun, Attard and a rural site in Għarb, Gozo. The data from these stations is available in real time on the ERA’s website.
  • International Trade of Endangered Species
    Some animals, plants and their related products are confiscated when they are transported. Their shipping is prohibited because of their protected status. In this regard, ERA has put together an exhibition which raises awareness on CITES; a convention intended to protect certain wild species from being traded and exploited unsustainably, as their extinction would have irreversible ecological consequences and economic and social effects. Those visiting St George’s Square will be able to see items that were confiscated and learn about what not to transport.
  • Compliance and Enforcement
    A directorate responsible for compliance and enforcement operates within ERA, handling various environmental aspects. The work conducted by this directorate is displayed during Green Fest. Last year, ERA issued 11 administrative fines on individuals, commercial companies and parastatal agencies, totalling €157,845. These covered various contraventions, including non-abidance with permit conditions, pollution of the sea and the unlawful removal of trees.
  • LIFE BaĦAR
    Members from the LIFE BaĦAR project are present in St George’s Square to raise awareness about the flora and fauna found in Malta’s seas. LIFE BaĦAR focused on marine life in our waters and it led to three inshore and five offshore areas being proposed for the protection of reef and cave habitats and inclusion in the Natura 2000 network. The new sites have led to an overall increase of protected marine area from 3487 km2 (in 2016) to 4138 km2.
  • Marine litter and Biodiversity
    Would you like to try your hand at fishing? This stand includes two aquariums filled with water and various plastic items to be fished out. ERA representatives are providing information on alternative sustainable items, for every object fished out. In addition, videos related to the various clean-up efforts will be displayed to raise awareness on the massive efforts these entail.ERA invites the public to visit its stands in St George’s Square and interact with the Authority’s dedicated workers, who strive to motivate the public to respect and protect environmental interests.

L-Awtorità għall-Ambjent u r-Riżorsi (ERA) tifraħ lill-parteċipanti ta’ ‘Wave of Change Diving Clean Up’; inizjattiva ta’ għads u ġiri bil-għan li titqajjem kuxjenza dwar il-bżonn li l-ilmijiet tagħna u l-ibħra kollha madwar id-dinja jinżammu ndaf. B’mod partikolari tqajmet kuxjenza dwar il-bżonn li ma jintremiex plastik fil-baħar.

Tul l-inizjattiva, żewġ parteċipanti ġrew 126km madwar Malta, u nġabru sitt tunnellati ta’ skart minn postijiet varji. Filwaqt li ERA tirrikonoxxi l-bżonn ta’ ġbir ta’ skart u inizjattivi simili, tisħaq b’mod partikolari fuq it-trawwim ta’ kultura fejn ma jintremiex skart b’mod irresponsabbli.

Ħajjitna tiddependi mill-ilma. Għalkemm mhux ħafna huma konxji, soċjetajiet u ekonomiji madwar id-dinja jisfaw fix-xejn mingħajr il-ħajja marittima u l-funzjonijiet tagħha. Dawn jinkludu l-iffiltrar, it-taħlit u l-ħażna tal-ilma, il-prevenzjoni tal-għargħar, iż-żamma tal-bilanċ tal-klima lokalment u globalment, u l-ħarsien tad-diversità bijoloġika.

Għaddasa għandhom l-opportunità unika li jinżlu taħt il-wiċċ tal-baħar u jesperjenzaw is-sbuħija inkredibbli tad-dinja taħt l-ilma. Sfortunatament jiġu wiċċ imb’wiċċ ukoll mal-iskart li jħarbat l-ekosistemi tal-ibħra tad-dinja tagħna. Voluntiera bħal dawk li pparteċipaw fil-Wave of Change għandhom ukoll il-ħila li jagħmlu differenza, u għalhekk sabu l-appoġġ tal-ERA.

L-ERA tissorvelja l-kwalità tal-ilmijiet tagħna fuq bażi frekwenti. Infatti, l-Awtorità timxi ma’ liġijiet u regoli estensivi li jkopru l-ilmijiet tal-wiċċ, l-ilmijiet tal-pjan, l-ilma baħar u z-zoni protetti kollha. Programmi ta’ monitoraġġ jippermettu ħarsa ġenerali koerenti u komprensiva tal-istat tal-ilma f’kull distrett fejn jinġabar l-ilma. L-Awtorità tinsab impenjata tistħarreġ dwar il-biodiversità fl-ibħra Maltin, u qiegħda wkoll timplementa diversi attivatijiet u xogħlijiet fuq dan permezz ta’ fondi nazzjonali u internazzjonali, li jinkludu wkoll proġetti finanzjati mill-Unjoni Ewropea.

Wave of Change Diving Cleanup kienet inizjattiva waħda minn bosta li qed isiru. L-ERA tħares lejn l-ilma u l-ibħra Maltin bħala patrimonju u mhux biss bħala riżorsa, għalhekk tibqa’ tisħaq favur il-protezzjoni u t-trattament xieraq tal-ibħra Maltin u Għawdxin u inizjattivi f’dan is-sens.​

The European Environment Agency (EEA) is once again organizing its annual photography competition.

This year the competition is entitled ‘Sustainably Yours’ and focuses on the importance of living sustainably. Photographers will be able to highlight challenges and opportunities from their perspective, according to three main aspects relates to sustainable living: food, energy and mobility.

The winners in each category will be awarded a cash prize of €1000, while €500 is on offer for both a Public Choice Award and a Youth Prize. The latter is awarded to participants aged between 18 and 24.

All finalists will be put forward for the Public Choice Award and may also feature in future digital and print material from the EEA and its European partners.

As an environmental regulator, ERA encourages participation in such competitions. In fact, the Authority’s mission is to safeguard the environment for a sustainable quality of life. ERA believes in artistic expression as one way in which the public may be made aware of environmental issues and in turn encouraged to take ownership in addressing them.

Details on the competition may be found here.

 

last year’s winners: