Environment

Malta: EU to give €22 million for Malta’s second largest environmental project

The EU will be providing funds of around twenty-two (22) million euro for a project which aims at drastically reducing emissions in the Grand Harbour. Described as the second largest…

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Scientists use drones to study great white sharks along California coast

Scientists are using drones and other technology to study great white sharks along the coast of Southern California to better understand interactions between these marine predators and people and assess…

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Maypole to reduce plastic bag use by 1.5 million in a year

As part of its environmental commitments, the Maypole foodstore chain has announced plans to reduce the amount of plastic bags used by 1.5 million over the next twelve months. Among…

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Danish shipper Maersk to stop taking waste to China, Hong Kong from September

Denmark's A.P. Moller-Maersk , the world's top container shipping firm, said on Wednesday it would stop accepting solid waste shipments bound for China and Hong Kong from September. "We sent…

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U.S. EPA to propose first-ever airplane emissions standards

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is set to announce on Wednesday the first proposed U.S. emissions standards for commercial aircraft, officials briefed on the matter said. In 2016, the U.N.…

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Maltese Editors’ Perspectives

Four papers in print today, with Editorials focusing on issues which are perhaps generally overlooked in leading op-eds, such as ODZ reform, poverty, bureaucracy and the increase in Malta's population.…

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Record temperature trajectory threatens to breach 1.5°C global heating threshold

New climate data from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) predicts that the annual mean global temperature is likely to be at least 1.0°C above pre-industrial levels (1850-1900) in each of…

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Malta: Malta’s largest solar farm ready to power 2,200 homes

Malta’s largest solar farm has been inaugurated on Wednesday morning, ready to provide enough energy to power 2,200 homes. The solar farm is a private initative, and includes 16,896 photovoltaic…

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CorporateDispatchPRO – Sustainability is everybody’s business

The latest issue of Corporate Dispatch Pro is out, pitching multiple perspectives on the relationship between business and sustainability side by side. Traditionally, mainstream business models have been accused of…

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Boosting the EU’s green recovery: Commission invests €1 billion in innovative clean technology projects

The European Commission the first call for proposals under the Innovation Fund , one of the world's largest programmes for the demonstration of innovative low-carbon technologies, financed by revenues from the…

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Times to scale up Africa’s Great Green Wall – FAO

It is time for coordination and renewed support for the Great Green Wall, Africa's landmark sustainable development programme, FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu has stressed. "We have to promote sustainable eco-economies.…

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Photo Story: Toxic algae bloom along Swedish coast

An image taken with a drone shows an aerial view of a bloom of toxic algae on the Baltic Sea coast at Tyreso, south-eastern Sweden. Via EPA-EFE/PONTUS LUNDAHL

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Microplastics found in fruit and vegetables

Microplastics have been discovered in fruits and vegetables, with apples and carrots found to be the most contaminated, studies show. Campaigners have called for an urgent investigation into the tiny…

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Maersk heads zero-carbon drive in shipping sector with $60 million research center

The world's largest container shipper, A.P. Moller-Maersk, will team up with industry majors to set up a research center in Denmark with the aim of reducing carbon emissions in the…

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Germany bans single-use plastic products

The German Cabinet agreed on Wednesday to end the sale of single-use plastic straws, cotton buds and food containers from July next year, bringing it in line with a European Union directive…

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Microplastics found for first time in Antarctica’s food chain

For the first time, scientists have discovered microplastics inside small organisms living in the soil in Antarctica, according to a new study published on Wednesday. "Plastics are thus entering the…

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Map of world’s uncharted ocean beds takes shape

Plans to map the entire ocean floor by 2030 are going ahead despite the challenges of the coronavirus crisis, officials leading the project said, with almost a fifth covered so…

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Malta: Another phase completed in a regeneration and restoration project at Chadwick Lakes with an investment of €5 million

With an investment of €5 million, partially financed from European Funds, another phase has been completed in a regeneration and restoration project at Chadwick Lakes. Source: ONE News Updated 16:40

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Denmark to introduce green taxes on carbon emissions

A majority coalition of parties in Denmark has agreed to introduce a tax on emissions of carbon dioxide and greenhouse gases, the government said late on Sunday. Denmark has one…

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Malta: €3 million investment in urban zones in three localities

A €3 million environmental project in Ħal Qormi, Ħamrun and Mosta, will see urban zones which are main roads go green. The ideal design will be selected after a competition…

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Vatican urges Catholics to drop investments in fossil fuels, arms

The Vatican urged Catholics on Thursday to disinvest from the armaments and fossil fuel industries and to closely monitor companies in sectors such as mining to check if they are…

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Malta: Study underway to determine harm caused by alien crayfish in Maltese valleys

A €20,000 project is underway in valleys in Bahrija, Mosta and Mellieha to study the environmental impact of crayfish and identify the best way to control this invasive species. Source:…

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Passengers to pay a CO2 tax for flights departing Switzerland

The Swiss parliament has moved to impose an environmental tax on airline tickets, as part of efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The overwhelming majority in the House of Representatives…

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Arctic oil spill in Russia pollutes big lake near Norilsk

Diesel oil from a huge spill in Russia's Arctic north has polluted a large freshwater lake and there is a risk it could spread into the Arctic Ocean, a senior…

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Malta: ERA forced to stop works at scenic Mġarr ix-Xini twice

Works at scenic Mġarr ix-Xini creek in Gozo were stopped twice because of pollution, the Environment and Resources Authority said on Sunday. Source: Times of Malta Updated 15:35pm

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Russia says it contained huge Arctic oil spill

Russia has managed to contain a massive diesel spill into a river in the Arctic, a spokeswoman for the emergencies ministry was quoted as saying. "We have stopped the spread…

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COVID-19 contributing to Thailand’s plastic pollution problem

While the world's main focus is on battling the COVID 19 disease pandemic caused by the SARS CoV-2 coronavirus, Thailand is dealing with another effect of the coronavirus: mountains of…

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Malta: Activist group rails against proposed Lapsi bungalow; ‘approval would set dangerous precedent’

If the Planning Authority were to approve a permit for a bungalow on ODZ land near Ghar Lapsi it would create a dangerous precedent for the area, an activist group…

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Malta: 3 new sites join Natura 2000

On International Environment Day, 3 new areas will be given more protection by forming part of the European Union's Natura 2000 network. Environment Minister Aaron Farrugia explained that the proposed…

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Russia’s Putin declares state of emergency after Arctic Circle oil spill

Russia's President Vladimir Putin has declared a state of emergency after 20,000 tonnes of diesel oil leaked into a river within the Arctic Circle. The spill happened when a fuel…

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Malta: Thumbs down by Local Councils and NGOs to revised DB Group project

Three local councils and ten NGOs said in a statement that the fresh plans filed by the DB Group about their project in Pembroke do not in any way address…

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Malta: Six tenders for the cleaner air project in the Grand Harbour with an average value of € 40.6m

In closing the call for the cleaner air project in the Grand Harbor, the Government agency Infrastructure Malta announced that it had received 6 tenders with an average value of…

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Malta: Loggerhead turtle lays nest in Ramla Bay; ERA appeals for cooperation

On Friday evening, at around 10pm, a loggerhead turtle was noted laying eggs on Ramla Bay in Gozo, Nature Trust said. The turtle came out of the sea at around 10pm and…

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Malta: Spazji Miftuħa pushes for open access, government management of Aħrax and Miżieb during meeting with PM

During an hour-long meeting with Prime Minister Robert Abela and Environment Minister Aaron Farrugia, coalition Spazji Miftuħa raised its concerns and proposals for the effective management of Aħrax and Miżieb…

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Greening the transport sector in the post COVID-19 recovery could create up to 15 million jobs worldwide

"The recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic cannot be a return to business as usual. It must be an opportunity to push the advancement of the sustainable development agenda." In a…

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Malta: Bungalow plans for field overlooking Għar Lapsi

A rural plot of land on the road to Għar Lapsi may become a bungalow and garage if its owners have their way, a development application submitted to the Planning…

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Coronavirus lockdowns keep bees at home and put crops at risk

Coronavirus lockdowns that keep farmers from fields and suppliers from markets are restricting another cornerstone of the agriculture industry: bees. Responsible for pollinating about a third of the plants we…

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Malta: Church backs NGOs resisting handover of L-Aħrax and Mizieb to hunters

The Church has declared its backing for ‘Spazji Miftuħa’ a coalition of environment NGOs set up to resist government plans to hand the management of L-Aħrax and Mizieb woodlands to the hunters'…

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Malta: FKNK publishes footage to prove nature reserves aren’t accessible to the public

The Federation for Hunting and Conservation, FKNK, has published a video showing how the nature reserves in Malta are not accessible to the general public. In the video, the FKNK…

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Malta: 28 medical and environmental organisations call for action on air quality

28 medical and environmental organisations have called upon the government to come up with serious measures to improve local air quality. The organisations said that recent studies show that on average in…

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Malta: 70% of works on a family park in Żabbar ditch are complete

On a site visit, Minister for Tourism and Consumer Protection responsible for Parks Malta expressed its satisfaction for works carried out and explained that within a few weeks this project…

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Malta: Over 10,000 back coalition to keep Miżieb and Aħrax free and open

A petition started by the Outdoor Recreation and Camping Association Malta to defend public access to Aħrax and Miżieb has surpassed the figure of 10,000 signatures. The petition, also hosted…

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Malta: Coalition of NGOs to resist takeover of l-Aħrax and Miżieb

A coalition has been formed to lobby for the preservation of public spaces in Malta in the wake of reports that the government is considering handing l-Aħrax and Miżieb woodlands to…

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Malta: FKNK files judicial protest against BirdLife over spring hunting licences

The FKNK hunters' federation has filed a judicial protest against BirdLife Malta in reaction to its criminal complaint against the granting of licences for spring hunting. Source: Times of Malta Updated…

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Malta: Plan for old people’s home outside development zone raises concern

An application for an old people’s home outside the development zone on the outskirts of Żurrieq and Safi, is sparking objections amid concerns over the further destruction of agricultural land.…

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Malta: Vandalism in Għadira ta’ San Raflu

"Despite attempts by members of the Department of Civil Protection, they were unable to remove the burnt oil from the water." This was stated by the Environment and Resources Authority…

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Malta: Minister did not mislead Parliament on Magħab project, Speaker rules

Speaker Anġlu Farrugia ruled that Environment Minister Aaron Farrugia did not mislead Parliament when he said that the Naxxar local council welcomed the reduction in footprint of the proposed waste…

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Malta: “Land reclamation is a non-starter”

Land reclamation is a non-starter, local pressure group Extinction Rebellion said as it called for proper holistic and long-term solution to the disposal of construction waste. On Monday, Environment Minister…

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Photo Story: Storks flock to Latvia

A white stork near to Vecate, the largest colony of white storks in Latvia as storks gather in Latvia during their annual migration. About 4% of the world's white storks…

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Malta: NGOs demand clarity on proposed transfer of Miżieb and Aħrax to FKNK

A group of NGOs is asking the government to immediately publish the full terms of any agreement regarding the transfer of the Miżieb and Aħrax open spaces to the Federation…

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Ambitious plan in Milan to reduce car use after lockdown

Milan is to introduce one of Europe’s most ambitious schemes reallocating street space from cars to cycling and walking, in response to the coronavirus crisis. The northern Italian city and…

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Malta: Farrugia puts Malta’s name backing European Green Deal for post-corona recovery

Malta’s minister for the environment has backed a call to put the European Green Deal at the heart of a post-coronavirus recovery, joining Ireland, Slovakia, and Slovenia in an appeal by 13…

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Post-pandemic: Government policies championing environmental sustainability

by Claire Hollier Towards end March 2020, when it became blatantly evident that the COVID-19 pandemic will hit hard most economic sectors in Malta, the Prime Minister accompanied by the…

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Flanders minister fires warning shot over EU Green Deal

The European Green Deal could find a bump in the road in the form of the climate minister for Flanders, Zuhal Demir. The Belgian regional Minister of Environment, Energy…

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Nestlé announces industry’s first baby food packaging designed for the future of recycling

Nestlé announced the launch of a first-of-its-kind, single-material pouch for its baby food products designed for the future of recycling. In the U.S., the new pouch will be available exclusively…

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New Eurobarometer Survey: Protecting the environment and climate is important for over 90% of European citizens

According to a new Eurobarometer survey, 94% of citizens in all EU Member States say that protecting the environment is important to them. In addition, 91% of citizens stated that…

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Satellite images show how pollution cleared over China following Coronavirus outbreak

Satellite images from NASA show how pollution has cleared over China as the coronavirus outbreak keeps people indoors and factories are forced to close. NASA and the European Space Agency used…

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