Environmental improvements have been called for by Friends of the Earth Malta since 1985 and it said, ” thirty years on we face much greater problems than we did then. While environmental awareness has increased, Malta faces a variety of environmental problems related to land use, waste, transport, agriculture, energy, the sea, and biodiversity.”
The NGO, in a statement said that Malta has lost far too much countryside and coastal areas to building that was, and is, unnecessary and unsustainable.
“Friends of the Earth Malta will not take the Government’s commitment to the environment seriously unless targets are set for sustainable water, land, energy use and pollution is reduced,” it said.
It said that it intends to be at the vanguard of environmental and biodiversity protection as it has in the past.
FoE Malta went on to say that “in view of the severe environmental threats” facing the Maltese Islands, it is making the following proposals to be taken up by the political parties:
“Constitutionally entrenched protection of the environment – All citizens to be given right of action to sue Government for implementation and enforcement of laws/actions to protect environment and air quality. This right is to be entrenched in Constitution.
ODZ or Public Domain Sites to be designated as no-building/no commerce zones in the Constitution.
All ERA/PA Boards and Appeals Bodies to have 50 % members appointed by NGOs. Increase NGO appointee representation on ERA/PA Boards.
Designate Manoel Island AND White Rocks public Parks
Cap ERA/PA fees for bonafide NGOs
Introduce initiatives incentivising NGOs which work in environmental advocacy and protection of biodiversity.
A pollinator strategy for the Maltese Islands.”
Friends of the Earth Malta concluded by saying that, “we all need nature and a healthy living environment in our lives, it gives us freedom and helps us live healthily; yet deprived communities are routinely cut off from nature in their surroundings and it’s suffocating for our well-being as a nation.”
Meanwhile, Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar has listed what it says is “a clear set of environmental proposals that we call on each Political Party to address and take on if they truly plan on putting forward a well-intentioned environmental agenda.”
FAA said that it strongly believes that the time has come to “recognise the Maltese people’s rights to access to an unpolluted environment, health and wellbeing.”
In view of this FAA said that it is proposing the following measures
“Constitutionally entrenched protection of the environment – All citizens to be given right of action to sue Government for implementation and enforcement of laws/actions to protect environment and air quality. This right is to be entrenched in Constitution.
ODZ or Public Domain Sites to be designated as no-building/no commerce zones in the Constitution.
Review and repeal planning laws (limit on tenure of Board members, strip PA CEO of some powers, review DC 15, review Rural Design Policy 2014, review Childcare in ODZ policy). Increase the support and capacity of enforcement planning agencies to ensure universal compliance to existing policies as well as true and effective protection of third party rights.
All Planning Boards and Appeals Bodies to have 50 % members appointed by Civil Society and to include Kamra tal-Periti.
Freezing of applications more than 10 floors high including those permits which are under appeal before a national master plan is drafted in line with SPED. Designated high rises zones should be further restricted.
Air Quality and Traffic: Development applications should not be allowed to worsen situation created by past permits issued without a corresponding investment in infrastructure to handle resultant traffic.
Such intensive developments should be made to pay for infrastructural amelioration. Public transport upgrades coupled with the introduction of nationwide network of safe cycle lanes as well as increased enforcement on vehicles belching emissions abusively.
Designate Manoel Island and White Rocks as public Parks.
Cap Planning Authority and Planning Tribunal fees for bonafide NGOS
Improve access to Gozo in a way that does not increase cars and pollution in Gozo.
Reinstate protection of heritage properties, establish a system of grants to owners of heritage properties and tax exemption/grants to NGOs preserving properties or the environment.”
Photograph by Alain Salvary