Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar (FAA) said it was “encouraged” by recent developments leading to the setting up of a Register of Environment Impact Assessment Consultants, a measure FAA called for since its inception.
“The Registration and Review Board that has been set up will ensure that professionals carrying out environment assessments and coordination have the right qualifications, skills, training and experience to draw up reports within their specific field. Moreover, the Board would also monitor the results of assessments that the consultants submit, and only renew their registration once it is satisfied that the consultants adhere to the required standard,” the NGO said.
“While the system being outlined includes a number of checks and balances, FAA highlights the fact that these can only be truly effective if the MEPA EIA department is given the necessary resources, including the possibility of engaging consultants to review EIAs in specialist areas outside MEPA’s remit.”
FAA said that in an over-populated country like Malta, social impact assessments need to be given far greater importance than at present in order to effectively protect residents’ health and well-being particularly in over-developed areas. It added that traffic impact assessments of new residential developments need to be given greater emphasis.
“This is of particular significance to the health of those communities in areas which have a high degree of pollution at street level due to traffic congestion.
“Since our land is so limited, Malta cannot afford mistakes, as the effect of failed projects is not limited to developers but also borne by neighbouring residents and the general economy. For this reason, FAA emphasises that the financial viability of mega-projects needs to be examined at some stage during the assessment process.”
FAA said that in exceptional cases, particularly in mega-projects backed by government, FAA suggests that the developers’ obligation should include payment for limited EIA reviews that Local Councils may consider essential to the process.
“Up to the present day, few EIAs have ever recommended against proposed projects. Although the adoption Code of Ethics and review process should help to establish a more equitable balance, the process dictates that consultants will still be selected and paid by developers. FAA therefore supports the suggestion of Dr Sciberras Camilleri that MEPA adopts the standard court practice whereby experts are paid their fees before submitting their report in court. This goes a long way towards safeguarding consultants’ liberty in expressing an honest opinion and reaching an objective conclusion.”
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