The Ministry for the Environment and the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) have announced a significant reform in environmental permits, introducing a new tiered system based on the type and scale of operations.

The updated regulations, set to be published in the coming days, aim to raise environmental standards, enhance public participation, and create a fairer regulatory framework for operators.

During a press briefing led by Minister for the Environment Miriam Dalli and ERA CEO Kevin Mercieca, journalists were given an in-depth explanation of the upcoming changes, which build upon the Environmental Protection Act.

The regulations were developed following public consultation and a review of stakeholder feedback.

The new legislation introduces three key objectives: more operations and activities will be regulated for the first time, ensuring stricter environmental enforcement; citizens will now have a clearer process for participating in permit decisions and improved access to environmental justice; and businesses investing in higher environmental standards will no longer be at a disadvantage compared to those with lower environmental commitments.

Minister Miriam Dalli emphasised that the reform prioritises public involvement in the permitting process. “Our guiding principle was to ensure greater public involvement in the issuance of environmental permits. We are granting new rights, not just in principle but also in practice,” Dalli said.

“We want to strike a balance between necessary activities and sustainability, ensuring stronger environmental standards while respecting public concerns.”

The reform will also require more decisions to be taken publicly, with decisions published on ERA’s website.

Currently, public consultation is only required for large-scale industrial projects under the Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC) category, but the new regulations will extend this requirement to many other sectors.

ERA CEO Kevin Mercieca described the new regulations as a major step in strengthening Malta’s environmental protection framework. “These regulations establish a strong permitting process that rewards those who invest in higher environmental standards while giving citizens the opportunity to fully engage in the process,” Mercieca said.

“This reform is a clear sign of our commitment to environmental responsibility.”

With these new regulations, the government aims to modernise environmental permitting, increase transparency, and ensure that businesses operate with greater accountability—all while allowing the public a stronger voice in environmental decisions.

What do you make of these changes?