€2bn for green initiatives

Approximately half the measures outlined in the final version of a National Environmental Policy leading up to 2020 were already in various stages of implementation, Environment Minister Mario de Marco said yesterday.

We need to be honest and humble enough to admit that environmental policy has yet to become a national priority

Speaking during the policy’s official launch, Dr de Marco said the policy’s numerous initiatives were estimated to cost €2.1 billion in total.

Although the figure may seem enormous, the minister noted that 88 per cent of it had already been budgeted for and allocated. Officials also pointed out that the opportunity cost of not implementing the measures would have been even greater.

Having been first launched in September, much of the policy has already been discussed and dissected in the media.

It is the country’s first-ever environmental policy framework, bringing together the various environmental activities, bodies and pieces of legislation into a holistic strategy.

The document contains sections related to efficient use of resources, safeguarding environmental health, improving the local rural, urban and cultural environment, creating synergies between the economy and environment, and an analysis of long-term sustainability issues such as climate change.

As well as tackling environmental issues regulated by the EU, it also makes reference to Malta-specific environmental concerns such as proliferation of dust and noise pollution.

On this latter point, Dr de Marco announced that the government will be launching a White Paper related to noise pollution in two weeks’ time.

The consultation period on the policy yielded some 500 comments from various stakeholders. As a result of the process, sections pertaining to water and stone use have been strengthened, a mineral extraction policy included and a number of timeframes revised.

Dr de Marco acknowledged stakeholder concerns about the eventual implementation and enforcement of NEP initiatives, saying that the policy included time-frames to ensure accountability.

“It would be too easy to boast about what’s already been done in the environmental field, but we need to be honest and humble enough to admit that environmental policy has yet to become a national priority.”

The policy document will establish a Cabinet committee for the environment as well as an Advisory Council for the Environment, which will provide independent advice to the government on environmental matters.

It also states that a “well-resourced enforcement directorate” will be set up within the Malta Environment and Planning Authority by the end of this year.

The NEP includes an analysis of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats associated with the Maltese environmental policy field. A lack of environmental awareness, low levels of environmental innovation and the politicising of environmental issues are all listed as weaknesses.

The Minister was eager to emphasise the policy’s cross-party nature, saying that all political parties – as well as multiple stakeholders – had been consulted and given positive feedback.

“This is not, and cannot, be a government document. It must be owned by everyone if it is to be a success. And its success can only be true if in 2020 we can look back and say that we have achieved a better quality of life as a result of an improved environment.”