As part of the implementation of the Wellbeing-First Vision for Malta’s Environment 2050, the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) commissioned a study targeting environmental wellbeing in Malta’s towns and villages.

This study was commissioned to enable ERA to prioritise those areas that need to be targeted by policy and also to help identify areas where funding for environmental projects would give the most benefit to communities. It will be used in relation to the updated State of the Environment Report by 2025, the implementation of the National Strategy for the Environment to 2050 and ongoing projects for open and green spaces. Indeed, the study highlighted that the increased availability of open spaces was deemed as a contributing factor to improve the environmental quality of localities; this is also the direction which is being pursued in various environmental projects.

The study in itself included focus groups and interviews with residents from different localities so as to accurately represent the Maltese context and was carried out in collaboration with the Faculty of Social Wellbeing within the University of Malta.

According to the study, the majority of residents are content with their current neighbourhoods. However, those living in densely populated urban areas, like the northern harbour district, would prefer to see more open spaces. Respondents to the study also indicated construction and traffic as the two factors that have a negative impact on their quality of life.

7 march 2024

The Ministry for the Environment, Energy and the Regeneration of the Grand Harbour, together with the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA), have launched a public consultation on the newly proposed Environment Permitting Regulations. The regulations being proposed are the first of their kind since the establishment of the first environmental laws in Malta, 30 years ago.

Through these regulations, the Government is seeking to provide a more consolidated and holistic environmental permitting framework, one which is more efficient to the user, thus benefitting the environment and the economy. This also signals a move away from the current permitting framework, which is highly fragmented.

“Last July, the Government made amendments to the Environment Protection Act to enhance public participation, transparency, and efficiency in environmental decision-making. As a result of these amendments, proposed regulation for Environment Permitting are now being presented today,” stated Minister for the Environment, Energy and the Regeneration of the Grand Harbour Miriam Dalli during a media briefing.

“The main principle has always been transparency and greater public involvement when environmental permits are issued by ERA. The new regulations present an ambitious but well-balanced position which allows for stronger environmental protection and sustainable economic development. Whilst Malta must stay competitive to support the aspirations of its people and overcome the challenges ahead, environmental protection needs to be ensured. That’s why the proposed regulations include more environmental safeguards,” stated Minister Dalli.

The new regulations categorise applications reaching ERA according to environmental risk and determine which standard processes are to be applied so as to process the application. Timelines for the application’s processing are specified to ensure that permits are processed in a timely and efficient manner. Timelines will range from 15 days, when it comes to the processing of routine permits, and go up to 270 days for complex environmental permits.

ERA CEO Kevin Mercieca, noted that “With these new regulations ERA will be able to better standardise its operations and increase efficiency when it comes to processing applications. Such efforts also compliment the hard work that ERA has been doing in terms of digitisation through the ERIS system”.

In addition to making permits available online, the regulations identify applications which will be open to the public, allowing the public to make submissions. This will result in greater transparency and active public involvement.

These regulations will be extending permitting requirements to previously unregulated activities which will now require permitting through a common and consolidated process. Permit application fees will also be revised according to the permits involved.

For further information the public is urged to visit https://era.org.mt/environmental-permitting-regulations-2024  where the consultation documents and other related information may be found. The consultation period is open for eight weeks, and submissions may be sent by email to [email protected] by Wednesday, 17th April 2024.​​

 

21 February 2024

Students from Birkirkara and Safi Primary schools were the first participants in the public consultation which is set to declare the Maltese honeybee as Malta’s national insect.

The public consultation was launched at the Buskett Educational Hub, where students were showcased the importance of bees through various activities including a digital puppet show and a presentation on the Maltese honeybee and its importance as a pollinator.

The proposed amendments to the current legislation which were launched for public consultation, take into consideration operational concerns raised by beekeepers and streamlines permitting processes between two regulators, the Environment & Resources Authority (ERA) and the Department of Agriculture, avoiding additional burdens for beekeepers. The proposed amendments also give additional protection to the endemic Maltese honeybee.

During a discussion with the primary students, Minister for the Environment, Energy and Regeneration of the Grand Harbour Miriam Dalli explained the importance of declaring the Maltese honeybee as a national insect.

“Beyond its significance as a pollinator to our ecosystems, the honeybee symbolises our commitment to biodiversity and the environment. Let us cherish and protect this invaluable insect, recognising its vital role in sustaining life on our planet,” said Minister Miriam Dalli.

ERA’s Director for Environment and Resources, Darrin Stevens noted that, “These events are very encouraging as one can clearly see the passion children have for nature. Today we continued ERA’s efforts with respect to conservation efforts in both the terrestrial and the species field. Through this public consultation we can further provide protection to an important species which has an important role in biodiversity protection.”

The public is being urged to submit their feedback regarding this consultation via https://era.org.mt/declaration-of-the-maltese-honey-bee-as-a-national-species/.​

19 February 2024

L-Awtorità għall-Ambjent u r-Riżorsi tiddeplora aġir irresponsabbli għal skop ta’ posts fuq media soċjali li juru tkissir ta’ tagħmir elettroniku ġo barriera.

Aġir bħal dan hu detrimentali għall-ambjent għaliex dan it-tip ta’ skart jikkontjeni materjali perikolużi bħal merkurju li jista’ jwassal għal kontaminazzjoni tal-ilma tal-pjan. Hu ukoll detrimentali għall-terzi persuni u jixhed nuqqas ta’ responsabbilità ċivika.

Qed naħdmu mal-pulizija biex insibu lil persuna responsabbli biex jinżamm responsabbli ta’ egħmilu

2 February 2024

In a decisive move during the first ERA Board session of 2024, the Board confirmed the issuance of €8,000 in fines targeting four waste legislation infringements. These fines come as a result of diligent monitoring and investigation, showcasing ERA’s commitment to environmental sustainability and proper waste disposal.

Spotting wrongdoers through the monitoring of strategically placed cameras in hotspot areas, ERA officers caught two individuals illegally dumping a refrigerator and cardboard waste in an area at Ħandaq, Qormi. ERA imposed a €1,400 fine for this environmentally harmful act.

Another case involved the dumping of construction waste, specifically cement slurry on garrigue, by a cement mixer. ERA officers who were provided with video footage by a vigilant member of the public, tracked down the offender through the vehicle registration number. The culprit was required to manually remove the fresh concrete, supervised by ERA officers, resulting also in a €4,000 fine.

Two instances of illegal waste incineration also drew ERA’s attention. In one case, smouldering burnt waste in a metal skip led to a €1,200 fine, while in Ta’ Sannat, Gozo, ERA officers, managed to identify the contravener who fled the scene and fined the culprit €1,200 for incinerating mixed waste.

ERA urges the public to report illegal waste disposal to the ERA via phone at 2292 3500 or through the online portal ERIS. Public cooperation is essential in supporting ERA’s Compliance Unit, which employs digital tools like drones and CCTV cameras to catch perpetrators. Together, let’s stand against irresponsible persons who degrade the environmental quality by irresponsible practices.

23 January 2024

  • Burnt Waste in skip
  • Cement Slurry on Garrigue

Students from nine different schools gathered at Buskett to discuss their ideas for a better environment with Environment Minister Miriam Dalli and the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA).

The activity followed similar ones held last year, in which Minister Dalli and schoolchildren agreed to continue meeting every year to discuss new proposals and assess progress on several green initiatives.

The children talked about different topics, including urban greening, sustainable transport, access to natural sites, groundwater, marine litter, climate change, waste management and energy efficiency. Among different ideas, they proposed organic farming on roofs, more family picnic areas, information campaigns on the impacts of littering, increased greenery in classrooms and adventure zones in parks, such as the recently opened obstacle course race (OCR) area at the San Klement Park.

Students from St Thomas More College Santa Lucija Secondary School, Sacred Heart College, St Ignatius College Qormi San Gorg Primary School, St Nicholas College Rabat Primary School and Dingli Secondary School, Maria Regina College Mosta Secondary School, St Margaret College Senglea Primary School, San Andrea School and St Benedict College Kirkop Secondary School participated in the event, which was hosted at Ambjent Malta’s new educational centre, within the grounds of the Buskett Woodlands.

Minister Miriam Dalli thanked the students for accepting ERA’s invitation to share their ideas on the environment.

“Last year we met and discussed many interesting ideas. ERA presented an update on how Malta is implementing many of them as part of our shared mission for a more sustainable future. I encourage children and youths to continue to come forward and join in the public debate about our environment. Your ideas are very important to us. All institutions must make sure to listen to what you have to say, as ERA is doing with these meetings. I look forward to meeting you again next year,” Miriam Dalli said.

ERA Chief Executive Officer Kevin Mercieca also emphasised the importance of listening to younger generations during the development of long-term plans and strategies which will address the future of the environment. “The views, opinions and proposals offered by children and youths give us food for thought in shaping a future which will be most fitting for their wellbeing and quality of life,” he said.

Following the discussion, Ambjent Malta guided the children to an educational walk at the Buskett Woodlands, where they also participated in a hands-on session on sustainable Christmas crafts. The event was also supported by Ekoskola, a Nature Trust – FEE Malta initiative across all schools in Malta and Gozo, to empower students to appreciate the environment and seek sustainable actions in their lives.

ERA Chairperson Vince Cassar and Ekoskola coordinator Paul Pace and other educators and officials also participated in this event.

28 December 2023

  • NSE Kids December 2023 - 1
  • NSE Kids December 2023 - 2
  • NSE Kids December 2023 - 3

The ERA Board has approved the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report analysing the development application PA 00993/23 (EA 00019/22) for a new plant to convert organic waste to electricity and compost, as part of WasteServ Malta’s ECOHIVE Complex.

The EIA and ERA’s considerations about this project form part of the Planning Authority process to determine the development permit required to construct this new plant, which will contribute to the implementation of the country’s Long Term Waste Management Plan 2021-2030.

Malta already processes all organic waste (white bag) separated by households and businesses and converts it into electricity through an existing WasteServ Malta plant. However, large quantities of organic waste are still being disposed of illegally in the black bag (for mixed, non-recyclable waste), ending up in landfills. In coming years, households and business will continue to increase the separation of organic waste through different measures and initiatives, including the enforcement of the mandatory waste separation regulations introduced earlier this year by ERA.

The new plant being proposed by WasteServ will be able to increase the processing of the planned increased quantities of separated organic waste, which will be converted to biogas, to be used as a sustainable fuel to generate electricity. As part of this process, the plant will also produce agricultural compost. This facility is expected to process around 74,300 tonnes of organic waste every year.

After studying the project’s impacts, ERA confirmed that the new plant will have a net environmental benefit, forming a fundamental component in Malta’s waste management strategy. Such processing plants are important as they sustain a drive towards waste minimisation at source and give preference to reuse and recycling over less sustainable options, including landfilling, thus helping to achieve the targets set by the European Union’s Waste Framework Directive by 2035.

 During the Board hearing, it was noted that great improvements in waste separation and management performance have been registered in recent years, with 2023 marking the lowest annual quantity of black bag waste ever received by WasteServ in the last 21 years, despite a significant population increase. Infrastructural investments in new and more efficient facilities that can continue turning separated waste into a resource, such as the organic waste plant proposed by WasteServ, will maintain this positive trend in coming years.

The new plant will include an administration building, a weighing room, an energy building, a boiler, as well as fuel storage, mechanical pre-treatment, dewatering, post-treatment and wastewater treatment facilities.

In addition to the decision above, the ERA Board also approved another permit (IP 0005/20) for the variation and renewal of (IP 0004/12/B) a permit for an existing commercial waste processing facility. The new permit will allow Gasparell Baling Co. Ltd to conduct wire stripping operations in its facilities, in line with Best Available Techniques on waste treatment as required by EU law.

21 December 2023

The Mosta Local Council is currently undertaking works as part of the regeneration project of the Mosta Square. The work will entail the transplanting of ficus trees to the area of Santa Margerita in Mosta.

Ficus trees are a hardy species and normally survive transplanting if such transplanting is done at the appropriate time of the year, normally between November and February. For successful transplanting trees need to be devoid of the canopy and the smaller branches to enable them to survive the move.

In the case of the Mosta square trees, the permit was issued during the most suitable period for transplanting of trees, whereby it allows for the tree to acclimatise, and roosting birds are versatile to find alternative trees, during this period when winter has not set in yet, until the new trees grow enough to have a hosting canopy.

The permit issued by ERA imposes the replanting of replacement trees that would have a good canopy that allows for shade and bird nesting.  These include Holm Oaks and Judas Trees.

There are instances where trees in the urban environment are required to be removed to implement urban regeneration projects, tackle damage caused by the roots of some tree species and allow the use of public open spaces in a more practical way.  We also need to consider that project proponents, who are often obliged by ERA to plant trees as part of their projects, are not discouraged from planting more trees due to fear of having a lifelong commitment to preserve them without the possibility of future embellishment of their localities/projects. With careful planning, such interventions may be allowed in a careful manner and without resulting in a net environmental loss.

13 November 2023

A new flowering plant has been discovered and described for the first time in a scientific work published on the 25th October 2023. This new endemic species, named Limonium lanfrancoi, is only found in a small area within the Maltese archipelago and is unique to the world. It is considered an endangered species with a very restricted distribution in the Maltese Islands.

The Lanfranco’s Sea Lavender, (Limonium lanfracoi, il‑limonju ta’ Lanfranco in Maltese), was described by a team from the University of Malta and the Università di Catania. The Maltese scientists included Ms Dorita Agius who is a lecturer at Junior College and a student at the Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking of the University of Malta. The team from Catania included Professor Salvatore Brullo, who has done extensive studies of the flora of Malta and is considered an authority on the group of plants Limonium.

The flowering plant is a small woody shrub living along a very narrow coastal limestone rocky strip, and is named after Mr Edwin Lanfranco, a valued Maltese botanist and author of several major contributions to the floristic knowledge of the Maltese Islands. It shows close relationships with another coastal flowering shrub unique to the Maltese Islands, the Maltese Sea‑Lavender (Limonium melitense, il‑limonju ta’ Malta), from which it differs genetically and in some other physical features.

The scientific publication also provides a detailed analysis for the four different sea‑lavender species identified in Malta and their conservation status, which also include a third endemic sea‑lavender, also unique to the Maltese Islands, namely the Zerapha’s Sea Lavender (Limonium zeraphae, il‑limonju ta’ Żerafa).

Ms. Dorita Agius noted that,

“’New species often develop in isolated environments, where they change to adapt to the specific environment. Plant species living on the Maltese shoreline are adapted to this harsh environment. We are planning to study these characteristics to be able to improve crop production especially with the steadily increasing global temperatures.”

It is also noted that the new Limonium species is strictly protected in Malta in terms of the Flora, Fauna and Natural Habitats Protection Regulations (SL 549.44) under the Environment Protection Act (Cap. 549). Its collection, picking, sale, transport and export are prohibited, but permits may be granted for selected reasons, including scientific research. The other two endemic sea-lavenders are also protected, and the same restrictions apply. Should more information be required on permitting considerations, more information is available here.

The new species is located in an area protected under the Environment Protection Act (Cap. 549), which is also a site declared as a Natura 2000 site under the EU Habitats Directive. The exact location is not being disclosed due to it highly restricted distribution, so as to safeguard it due to its rarity.

Mr Darrin T Stevens, Director Environment and Resources within the Environment & Resources Authority (ERA) thanked Ms Dorita Agius and her co‑workers for spearheading this work as part of their research and emphasised how such research work is changing our perspective on our rich biodiversity, noting how so many new native species being described from Malta is the last few years.

This research work was carried out in accordance with environmental permits issued by the Environment & Resources Authority. These studies are enabled by research grants from the Malta Council for Science and Technology – Research of Excellence: EDGE (REP-2020-009) and EPOM (REP-2023-033) and IPAS+: CoL (IPAS-2022-005) and CoLII (IPAS-2023-014).

11 November 2023

Photos: Dorita Agius

  • Limonium lanfrancoi by Dortia agius (3)
  • Limonium lanfrancoi by Dortia agius
  • Limonium lanfrancoi by Dortia agius

The ERA Board has considered and approved two authorisations for improvements and extensions to existing waste facilities.

The Authority approved a WasteServ Malta Ltd proposal for a variation to a permit IP 0004/07/C in relation to the thermal treatment facility at Albert Town, Marsa. The application included changes to the facility such as the introduction of a dual fuel burner, and upgrades to its odour abatement and autoclave equipment.

During the same sitting, the ERA Board also approved the operation of a new WasteServ installation for the temporary storage and limited processing of recyclable waste, such as wood, mattresses and expanded polystyrene (IP 00102/22). This installation is located at WasteServ’s facilities in Hal Far.