Clean Air is Not an Option, its a Necessity
- MEPA launches air quality plan for the Maltese islands
- Partial review of Gozo local plan announced by MEPA
- Partial review of Gozo and Comino local plan
- Environmental trends indicate improvements in many areas but some in need of attention
- MEPA: Economical with the truth – FAA
- Local councils have key role in revision of local plans – MEPA
- Public involvment in planning issues – FAA
- Street pollution: Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar (FAA) calls for direct action
- Alternattiva Demokratika urges the Authorities not to give in to pressures by the bus owners
- No new rationalisation exercise – MEPA
- MEPA’s Misinformation – Astrid Vella
- Greater transparency and public participation – MEPA
- Environmental NGOs strongly condemn MEPA’s decision to permit Mistra development
- MEPA publishes a new draft guidance document for EIA
- Minister draws line on Ta’ Cenc bungalow plans
A holistic plan to improve the quality of our air - Isolated pockets of action will leave minimal effect in improving the quality of air over the coming years. For this purpose the Malta Environment and Planning Authority (MEPA), which is the competent Authority for implementing the EU Directive on Air Quality, is launching a public participation exercise to work on a holistic action plan that will identify key strategic measures that need to be implemented to improve the quality of our air.
Over the past years, the Authority has studied and monitored the quality of air and has identified particulate matter (PM10) in the ambient air as the major problem that needs to be addressed. Local data shows that the highest amount of exceedances occur in areas influenced by heavy traffic, while lower levels are registered in the urban background and industrial sites. Research shows that high levels of particulate matter (PM10) leave negative implications both on human health and the environment.
In compliance with EU Legislation, Member States are required to submit an air quality plan outlining measures for the reduction of PM10 in ambient air, with the aim to achieve the limit values outlined in the Directive. While the plan will look at measures to curb pollution from all sources, special focus will be given to the transport sector since monitoring data clearly shows that this sector is the main contributor to air pollution.
The purpose of this public participation exercise is to invite and involve the public, local councils, NGOs and government entities to suggest realistic policy measures that would help decrease and limit the concentrations of pollutants, especially particulate matter in ambient air so that government, the community and the business sector understand how they must work together to protect human health and the quality of the environment. The responsibility for keeping the air clean is shared by everyone.
This exercise is the first of a two-phased consultation process. This first phase is involving the general public and stakeholders in the drafting of the air quality plan, while the second will involve the receipt of comments on the draft plan compiled by MEPA. Submissions by the public or other interested parties can be sent to:
Director of Environment Protection
Ref: Air Quality Plan
Malta Environment and Planning Authority (MEPA)
P.O. Box 200, Marsa, MRS 1000
Or by email to airqualityplan@mepa.org.mt.
All submissions need to reach the Authority by Friday 22nd May 2009.
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