CONSULTATION BRIEF
Start date: 23 June 2020
Closing date: 4 August 2020
Title of the public consultation: Public Consultation: Guidelines for the Reduction of Light Pollution in the Maltese Islands
Ministry: Ministry for the Environment, Climate Change and Planning
Entities: Environment & Resources Authority (ERA) and Planning Authority (PA)
- Background
Artificial light offers valuable benefits to society. It extends hours of activity and facilitates education, leisure, recreation, travel and economic activities beyond the diurnal hours. However, if used inappropriately, artificial or man-made light can be of a nuisance and is harmful to human health and wildlife. Such inappropriate lighting may lead to light pollution, which is independent from the efficacy of the luminaires installed, is also a waste of energy and contributes to climate change by increased carbon emissions in the atmosphere.
External artificial light may lead to spill-over light, or in other words, light which shines or trespasses into areas beyond that area, place or subject intended to be illuminated. Energy-efficient LED luminaires also resulted in an increase in levels of illumination, which often do not provide an increase in benefit, as well as an increase in blue-rich light emissions, which are considered amongst the one with the greatest impact.
These Guidelines provide an overview of the effects of light pollution, providing guidance how light pollution can be avoided or even reduced, particularly in cases of existing bad lighting installations.
Furthermore, the guidelines also indicate the framework for the adoption of Dark Sky Areas on the Maltese main islands, similar to areas already designated on Gozo and Comino.
- Consultation
The public is invited to submit any feedback or comments on this draft document.
- Documents
Guidelines for the Reduction of Light Pollution in the Maltese Islands
- Submission of feedback
- E-mail: [email protected]
- Further notes
Please be informed that comments submitted, together with the identity of the contributor, may be published online at the end of the public consultation, unless the contributor objects to the publication of his/her personal data. In this case, the contribution may be published in anonymous form.
All comments submitted shall be duly considered.
