Malta’s Commitment to Environmental Reporting
As a Member State of the European Union and as a Contracting Party to a number of international treaties and environmental agreements under the United Nations, the Council of Europe, the European Environment Agency, and other entities, Malta is obliged and/or committed to provide data and information through reporting obligations. This reporting serves multiple purposes. Firstly, it enables Malta to monitor its progress against different targets, measures and indicators and at the same time assess the advances in relation to the implementation of environmental obligations and commitments. At the same time, the relevant international bodies coordinating selected aspects, such as the United Nations or the European Union is able to monitor our progress in implementing legislation, targets, processes and infrastructures.
In 2024 alone, ERA submitted more than 50 reports. The data and information provided in such reports is compiled from different sources, such as: ERA’s air quality monitoring stations; biodiversity surveys conducted by ERA; water quality monitoring; annual environment reports submitted by operators; surveys through commissioned studies; environmental noise and radiation monitoring; information provided by other entities within the public sector; citizen science; and other or in-house tools or exercises.
Malta’s commitment to environmental reporting is not just about fulfilling obligations — it is a powerful tool for driving progress, transparency, and informed decision-making. By continuously enhancing data collection, monitoring, and reporting, Malta strengthens its ability to safeguard its natural environment, meet sustainability goals, and contribute meaningfully to European and global environmental initiatives.
Indeed, such reporting also provide the datasets used by Malta to provide the public with free online environmental data, such as the data included in the Malta Environment Platform & Services (MEPS). It also enables Malta to report on environmental advances in the State of the Environment Reports, the Sustainable Development Goals and other assessments used by the National Statistics Office and the European Environment Agency. 2024 was also particularly relevant as ERA achieved the designation of an ‘Other National Authority’ under the European Statistics Regulation empowering ERA to produce, ensure the quality of, and directly transmit Malta’s waste-related statistics to Eurostat in a timely manner with professional independence.
Looking ahead, the integration of advanced data tools, cross-sector collaboration, and public engagement will further elevate Malta’s environmental leadership. With each report, we refine our understanding, improve policies, and foster a greener, more resilient future for generations to come. The ongoing evolution of Malta’s environmental reporting framework is an opportunity to not only meet but exceed expectations, ensuring that our nation remains at the forefront of sustainable development and environmental stewardship.
