In this column I have repeatedly commented on different statements that from time to time are released by the Church’s Environment Commission. I have repeatedly stated that this Commission was one of the positive steps taken by the Church in Malta. It does not mean that I always agreed with the opinion they expressed. On the contrary, there were times when I did not agree, and I said so.

But I always admired their method of working.

Their statements are always measured and studied ones. On several occasions they actually published full blown studies based on research.

The statement they have just released in response to two government documents issued for public consultation - “For an Efficient Planning System, a Consultation Document” and “Towards high standards for Environmental Protection and Resource Management” - is no exception.

This being a commentary I will refrain from giving a summary preferring to express an opinion. It is very clear that the main concern of the Church’s Environment Commission is that Government’s policy will now be at the service of developers and not of the population at large and of future generations. Development, not necessarily of the sustainable kind, is now the order of the day.

The statement clearly says that:

* now the environment can be abused by the few for the detriment of the many.

* the new Authority being proposed by Government risk being a toothless one.

* the minister will be given too much power and abuse can be the result of too much power.

* the planning process is being thrown back to what it was decades ago, instead of going forward.

We were promised a better and more sustainable management of the environment. Instead we are threatened with its exploitation. We were promised that the environment is taghna lkoll. We now found out that the environment is being ceded to developers; undoubtedly the result of some pre-electoral back room deal.

The whole document can be accessed here. Besides a very good summary can be read here.