Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar together with Charter endorsers Malta Chamber, Kamra tal-Periti, General Workers’ Union and Malta Union of Tourist Guides, today launched their environment Charter which has been presented to all political parties and candidates and is supported by 7 social partners, 14 ENGOs, and 9 local councils.
Speaking for FAA, Prof Louis Naudi explained that the Charter’s aim is to get our politicians to commit to measures to halt The destruction of our environment continues and is accelerating. As a result diminishing quality of life for Malta’s residents. Although they are aware of this, This administration denies it. They hoodwink the public with policies that are based on economic factors and weak laws. loopholes,Submining quality of your life.
Successive governments have made it clear that they are committed to improving the quality of life in Malta, using GDP. based on numbers – cars, tourists, permits or property sales, income etcAs a benchmark, it is important to recognize that quality of life goes beyond economic standards. It also includes what people value in their lives, beyond the material aspects.
Property developmentProjects are not just about buildings. Construction has indisputably impacts but not only the building. Social costs and are buried, not computed. The key adverse effects are damage to the natural and built environment. Air and noise pollution from construction, heavy traffic and increased construction; prolonged closure of roads spaces; detours; and road and worker safety issues
Prof Naudi cited the 2021 EY Generate Youth Survey in which 9 out of 10 respondents felt that the greatest challenge facing the world is the deteriorating environment or overdevelopment. Nearly two-thirds of respondents indicated that they would prefer to live in Europe elsewhere. Similarly, in The Expat Insider survey 2021, Malta ranked 56thOut of 59, this is the highest score for the quality and environment.
The Charter also emphasizes that the government is legally bound to protect the common interests of citizens when they conflict with private or business interests. People have the legal right to a healthy environment that is free from pollution. Public assets, including land, coast and cultural heritage, should be kept public unless they are granted for financial gain or exploitation.
Ms Marisa Xuereb is President of Malta Chamber. She stated that we have been assuming that economic growth must come at the expense of the environment for many years. However, there are ways to make progress without further destroying the environment and cultural heritage on our islands.
Ms. Xuereb spoke out about sustainable tourism and said that it must be focused on quality rather than quantity. Gozo is a prime example of this, as it has not succumbed to mass tourism. If large development projects ruin its charm and make it an extension of Malta, Gozo’s unique tourism offering will be irreversibly destroyed.
Malta’s economy is increasingly dependent on foreign workers. However, highly skilled employees will choose to move to Malta based not only on the job opportunities available but also on the quality and quantity of life there. Maltese youths gain a lot from foreign work experience, but in order to attract them back once they’ve gained experience, and reverse the brain drain, we need to offer a better Malta than they left. Malta must embrace economic development that adds to, not subtracts from its country.
Perit Andre Pizzuto, of the Chamber of Architects, welcomed the chance to make quality of life a priority. He had strong words for the urban planning of the past 50 years, which he termed “a series of mistaken decisions” which has led to the present degradation of our environment. “Attracting high-worth individuals is not going to be achieved by destroying the value of our country, our cultural and environmental heritage”.
Perit Pizzuto stated that, although both main parties claim to promote environmental values, their manifestos are far from the comprehensive planning reform that is required.
Mr Paul Spiteri, Treasurer of the Malta Union of Tourist Guides stated that while certain parts of Malta, such as Valletta and the Three Cities, have great appeal, tourists’ experience in places like Bugibba are much less positive and this needs to be reversed, rather than spreading to other areas.
Astrid Vella, Coordinator of Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar concluded by saying that the non-political nature of the Charter was reflected in the fact that its endorsers span the political spectrum. She maintained that a poor environment undermines workers’ health while increasing the nation’s public health spending. The granting of so many permits for luxury developments while young couples can’t find accommodation they can afford is a further environmental injustice.
Ms Vella confirmed the Charter was endorsed by tHe PN and ADPD, Volt, and independent candidate Arnold CassolaAlthough they have promised to implement it if elected to Parliament the Labour Party, which is promoting an environment manifesto has not attempted to endorse it. Flimkien Gahal Ambjent Ahjar urges government to recognize and sign the charter. This charter is non-partisan, and is supported by all sectors of politics.
ENVIRONMENTAL CHARTER
Our ancestors built defenses against intruders, worked together in times when there was great economic strife, and ultimately fought for the Malta we love and know. Today it is our turn, to care for the islands for the future generations. ensure that public policy and its implementation protect our heritage and Quality of Life against irreversible harm
We, The Citizens of The Maltese Islands, Declare That:
1. The Government of Malta exists in order to serve all of its citizens citizens and the common interest
2. It is a fundamental principle of Government to promote and protect the ‘Quality of Life’Its citizens. Adopting and implementing principle of the greatest benefit for the largest number of people.
3. It is our. LegalIt is right that the state should protect the common interest of its citizens. Where their best is CollectiveInterests override Individual interests, private or business, are all important.
4. The government doesn’t have the legal right to diminish citizens’ Quality of lifeby abusing the inherent rights it has granted its peoples.
5. Its people have a Legal Right to a healthy environment, without air, dust, or visual pollution. They can live peacefully in their homes, and enjoy all public spaces.
6. Malta and Gozo’s environment – land (including roads and pavements),Coast and sea – and cultural legacyAre you toBe LegalAll future generations will be able to enjoy the shared benefits that are protected. These public assets should be kept public. Private involvement should be limited to the purpose of meaningful improvement and not for pecuniary gain. Concessions should only be granted on a temporary, fixed basis and must be strictly controlled.
7. The natural environment and urban green areas are essential to our citizens’ Quality of LifeParticularly trees that reduce stress, reduce noise pollution and provide shade.
8. It is the duty of Government to uphold our Constitution, wherein “the State shall protect and conserve the environment and its resources for the benefit of present and future generations and shall take measures to address any form of environmental degradation in Malta, including that of air, water and land, and any sort of pollution problem and to promote, nurture and support the right of action in favour of the environment.”
9. All Maltese courts must legally enforce the Constitution paragraph (8) provisions. The The principles contained in the document should be used for policy formulation and interpretation as well as making laws.
10. Infrastructural or unsustainable development should not be at the expense of the environment. Quality of LifeIts citizens. All policies and decisions of the Government and Planning Authority must be subjected to the law, public interests, and climate change considerations. There are no exceptions or fast routes to Government projects unless they are in the public interest..
