Everyone has the right to receive environmental information that is held by any public authority (with some minor exceptions, for example in regard to confidential information). This can include information on the state of the environment, monitoring and inspection reports, policies or measures undertaken.

Applicants are entitled to obtain this information, normally within one month of the request, and without having to say why they require it. Public authorities are obliged to manage their environmental information in an organised manner and to actively disseminate it. Mepa is the focal point for the Aarhus Convention in Malta and all requests for environmental information should be addressed to Mepa even though the information may be held by other public bodies.

Further information on the latest guidelines on access to environmental information, public participation in environmental decision-making and access to justice in environmental matters is available on the Malta Environment and Planning Authority website (www.mepa.org.mt).