The environment NGOs BirdLife Malta, Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar, Friends of the Earth Malta, GAIA Foundation, MOAM, Nature Trust (Malta) and Ramblers Association highlight the fact that the Authorities’ pledge to protect the countryside has once again been put into question by MEPA’s recommending the approval of a development project partially outside the development zone (ODZ) at Tal-Marga Valley, Qala, Gozo. As in the recent Wied il-Ghasel case, the proposal to build apartments and underlying garages is unsuitable for a site that is mostly out of the building scheme. Even more seriously, the excavations will take place in the area...
NGOs call for Damage Limitation from Summer Parties
Environmental NGOs BirdLife Malta, Din l-Art Ħelwa, Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar, Friends of the Earth, the Gaia Foundation, Nature Trust Malta and the Ramblers Association of Malta have today called on MEPA to uphold its commitment to the environment and stop the outdoor event organised at the Buskett Roadhouse this coming Saturday. The party, which will host foreign DJs in Buskett, will be equipped with extremely powerful lights and sound effects including; laser, LED, Eye Blinders effects and fireworks, according to information provided by the organisers. Buskett Gardens is protected under both national and international law, and is listed as...
Demands for Clean Energy Generation
In view of recent statements that have appeared in the local media on the future installation of power turbines at the Delimara Power Station, Friends of the Earth Malta together with the environment NGOs Flimkien għal Ambjent Ahjar, The Gaia Foundation, and the Ramblers’ Association, without going into the merits of who should be awarded a public tender, have called upon the Government to abide by its pledges to ensure that all future power generation is as clean as possible. The decision must take into account not only financial cost but the health of the local population, the state of...
NGOs urge MEP candidates to respect the Birds Directive
Environmental NGOs BirdLife Malta, Din l-Art Helwa, Flimkien Ghall-Ambjent Ahjar, Friends of the Earth Malta, Gaia Foundation and Nature Trust Malta today called on all the MEP candidates from all political parties to refrain from making promises to the hunting lobby on the issue of spring hunting and trapping which they can not keep after the European Parliament elections in June. The NGOs reminded the MEP candidates that the EU Birds Directive strictly forbids spring hunting in all member states and drew attention to the European Commission’s statement of March 2009 regarding the EU guide to the sustainable hunting of...
NGOs rail against Villa Bonici mega-project
– Violation of policies and of residents’ health The environmental NGOs, Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar, BirdLife Malta, Friends of the Earth Malta, Gaia Foundation, Greenhouse, NatureTrust Malta and the Ramblers Association of Malta draw attention to the fact that the proposed development proposals for Villa Bonici in Sliema violates a number of MEPA policies and therefore should be rejected. The proposed development in Manwel Dimech Street in Sliema includes the construction of a residential complex of up to 23 blocks, some as high as 12 floors, in the villa’s gardens which stretch almost all the way down to the Sliema...
NGOs commend Government on Wind Energy Project
Three environmental NGOs including Friends of the Earth Malta, Nature Trust (Malta) and BirdLife Malta, expressed their support for the Government’s long awaited initiative to invest in renewable energy to meet its EU obligations to cut down CO2 emission.  The NGOs also stated that the selection of locations for wind farms and associated infrastructure is a key to avoid impacts on wild birds and other biodiversity. The environmental NGOs said that government’s investment in renewables can be hailed as a positive step forward, which should eventually lead Malta to decrease its dependence on fossil fuels in the longer term....
Waste reduction, not incineration, FoE insists
The revision of the Waste Management Strategy comes 8 years after the original one was completed rather late, most will agree, particularly since the team revising the strategy started the job back in 2005. The document states that the strategy sets a five-year plan. The fact that drafting the revision took 3 years leaves us all wondering about the actual worth of the document. A strategy document should set direction after different alternatives have been assessed. However, the strategy document gives the feeling that it is a modus operandi, aiming to seal current practices rather than examining the outside environment...
FoE Malta submits review on the National Strategy on Climate Change
Friends of the Earth Malta welcomes the recommendations in the National Strategy on Climate Change as an intention of political will to address the issue of climate change.  However, FoE Malta is concerned that the exercise currently lacks the necessary depth and analysis to be considered a serious attempt to address the core problems in relation to climate change in Malta. Friends of the Earth is also glad to note that the recommendations leave the option open for having an effective climate change legislation. As such, FoE has submitted various proposals in its review document. These include a proposal to...
FoE paves the way for a climate change bill
Friends of the Earth is glad to note that the path towards climate change legislation is open, even though government has failed to support the motion by Hon. Brincat which would have brought about the legislation sooner rather than later. We couldn’t have gotten this far without the hundreds and hundreds of people who contacted their MP to ask for just such a Bill – if you were one of those people, thank you! Now that the long awaited Spiteri Gingell report on Climate Change is out, Friends of the Earth will analyse the content and submit its recommendations accordingly....
Appeal to MPs on Climate Change Bill
Friends of the Earth Malta is appealing to all MPs to give their full support towards having a Climate Change Bill. This appeal comes ahead of the vote to be taken in Parliament on Thursday 15th January. This initiative is also being supported by BirdLife Malta, Din L-Art Helwa, Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar (FAA), GAIA Foundation, Light Pollution Awareness Group, Moviment Graffitti, Nature Trust Malta and Zminijietna. Climate change is considered to be one of the most pressing concerns that will be faced by our country and the EU within the next 5 to 10 years. According to recent statistics...