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...
Climate Action Day – Update
(Maltese translation below) Friends of the Earth Malta with the participation of Zminijetna – Voice of the Left, University of Malta Geographical Society (UMGS), Nature Trust, Malta Breast Feeding Foundation, Malta Medical Students’ Association (MMSA), Moviment Graffitti, Insite, BICREF and guest speakers Mr. Arnold Cassola, chairperson for Alternattiva Demokratika and the Honourable Leo Brincat Labour Party spokesperson for climate change, gathered in St George’s Square, Valletta on Global Climate Action Day of Saturday 6th December. The Honourable George Pullicino was also invited but could not attend since he is Poznan, Poland. The Global Day of Action on Climate has occurred...
Towards Sustainable Development Planning in Malta
On Monday 27th October 2008, a coalition of environmental NGOs presented the Prime Minister with a report on MEPA reform. The document was drawn up by Catherine Polidano on behalf of Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar, Friends of the Earth Malta, the Gaia Foundation, the Malta Organic Agriculture Movement, the Ramblers Association, and the Save Wied Garnaw Action Group. The Light Pollution Awareness Group has also endorsed the document. The NGOs supporting this document maintain that the current planning process urgently needs reform. It is simply unworthy of a member state of the European Union in the 21st century. The report...
FoE commends Government on Wind Energy Project
Friends of the Earth Malta is pleased to note that Government is finally taking the initiative on the renewable energy front by allocating money to develop an array of wind turbines that will eventually supply around 4% of our energy requirements. This can be hailed as a positive step forward, which should eventually lead us to decrease our dependence on fossil fuels in the longer term. This would be of great benefit to our environment, our social commitments and sovereignty as a nation. Friends of the Earth although very enthusiastic about this progress, is also cautious about the site selection...
Friends of the Earth Supports Climate Change Legislation
Friends of the Earth Malta welcomes the motion related to Climate Change as presented by, Hon. Leo Brincat yesterday in Parliament. We believe that this is the way forward to make sure that the current, and subsequent, governments are committed to act on the pressing issue of climate change. Friends of the Earth is thus urging all MPs to put aside all political differences and to support this petition. Friends of the Earth has been campaigning on the issue of climate change for the past few years and also have been working on an educational campaign with the aim to...
Together for a Sustainable Future?
Throughout summer of 2006, the authorities justified the Rationalisation scheme to use more countryside for construction purposes by claiming that this would seal shut the development zones and prevent further building Out of Development Zone (ODZ). Before and after this year’s general elections, the electorate continued to be promised more environmental awareness and respect, with emphasis on protection of the countryside. Six months down the road and this promise is far from materialising. Over the last six months alone, MEPA approved not less than 318 permits to build structures in the countryside or ODZ, many of which are to be...
Friends of the Earth Malta Donates Books to Birkirkara LC
Friends of the Earth Malta donated €150 worth of books to the Birkirkara Local Council. These books will now form part of the resources found at the Birkirkara Civic Centre library. The books deal with local and international environmental themes and aim to increase the environmental awareness of the public. During the presentation of the books, Friends of the Earth representatives thanked the Mayor for hosting the Friends of the Earth office at the Civic Centre. They augured that future cooperation will lead to further environmental benefits both to Birkirkara and Malta.