Caring for the environment, a topic which until a few years ago was not given much importance by administrations, is becoming the most important issue for the Maltese electorate, an EU-wide survey shows.

The majority also believe the government can do more for the environment even though they acknowledge things are improving, according to the Attitudes Of Europeans Towards The Environment survey.

A total of 500 Maltese responded to a Misco survey carried out last April as part of a Eurobarometer poll.

The survey shows the Maltese, together with their Cypriot neighbours, have become the most environmentally conscious people in the EU with all respondents – 100 per cent – saying they consider the environment to be “important” or “very important” to them personally.

This is five percentage points above the EU average of 95 per cent. The replies of the Maltese also show they are taking action by trying to do their bit for the environment, even though this can also be for economic reasons.

Seventy-six per cent said they were separating their waste at home compared to 66 per cent in the EU, while 75 per cent said they were cutting down on their energy consumption, particularly electricity (53 per cent in the EU).

Another 62 per cent of the Maltese said they were trying to consume less water while 44 per cent said they were using fewer plastic bags to do their shopping.

These results go to show that the Maltese are among the most pro-environment active citizens in the EU, surpassed only by the Swedes and Luxembourgers.

But the Maltese are still failing when it comes to using their cars less often, with just 13 per cent saying they managed to travel less on their four wheels to lower petrol consumption and cut costs.

Asked who should be in charge of preserving and ameliorating the environment, many agreed this should be the shared responsibility of the government and its agencies, companies, polluters and the EU.

While 73 per cent agreed EU rules were very important for Malta to improve its environmental standards, 57 per cent said the Maltese government could do more.

Among the priorities which according to the Maltese should be given more attention are improved enforcement of the law, preferred by 41 per cent, the introduction of heavier fines on polluters or those breaking the rules (37 per cent), and stricter environment legislation (30 per cent). On the other hand, the overwhelming majority of Maltese oppose higher taxes on environmentally damaging products – just six per cent support such a measure.

The survey shows that, despite the economic crisis, 89 per cent of Europeans think more funding should be allocated to protect the environment, while 81 per cent support environmentally focused legislation at EU level.

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