National reform programme 2008-2010 Malta - European Commission

Within this context, an MPA Steering Committee has been set up with a view to oversee the
management and enforcement issues of the sites to be chosen or already chosen and will be
in operation legally by 2009. It is envisaged that the MPA strategy will be approved for
consultation by the end of 2008. These developments have had an impact on the status of
this measure which is slightly behind schedule. Notwithstanding, Government has:
• Zoning plans;
• Published educational material in relation to this MPA;
• Carried out public consultation seminars;
• Drafted the legal designation of the MPA.
Measure 5.4
Strengthen the institutional capacity for the implementation of the Nature Protection Acquis
The Malta Environment and Planning Authority (MEPA) has benefited from a Twinning project
with Austria (in consortium with Italy) 29 . Through this measure, MEPA has carried out various
information meetings, seminars, workshops and general awareness raised. Moreover,
additional staff has been trained by means of 15 week traineeships in this area.
Measure 5.5
Construction of three sewage treatment plants, all the sewage will be treated
Over the 2005-2008 period the Maltese Government has initiated the construction of three
sewage treatment plans; in Gozo, the northern part and southern part of Malta. The aim of
these new plants is to ensure that all treated sewage conforms to the standards laid out in the
Urban Wastewater Directive. The Gozo plant was the first of the three new
Wastewater Sewage Treatment Plants which was inaugurated in January 2008. This new
sewage treatment plant at Ras il-Ħobz, limits of Ghajnsielem which will eliminate the
discharge of raw sewage into the sea. The North plant was completed in September 2008.
The plant is expected to be fully operational in October 2008, when the biological treatment
process is fully established.
The contract for the construction of the South plant project has been signed in August 2008.
This will be the largest plant of all with a capacity to treat about 80% of all sewage generated
on the Maltese Islands. Furthermore, the plant will restore bathing water quality status to the
lower North Easterly coast spanning between Rinella and Zonqor, which is of significant
importance both for the inhabitants of the areas, as well as the tourism potential due to the
Smart City Project in the area.
Measure 5.6
Draft a national Environnent Technologies Action Plan.
A departmental draft of the Plan has been finalised and will be adopted imminently. Some of
the actions put forward within the draft ETAP have already been implemented. Such actions
include environment related fiscal incentives and Green Public Procurement.
Measure 5.7 and 5.9
Prepare and implement Green Procurement Plan (GPP)
The Maltese Government has launched the Green Office Label certification scheme for
government ministries, departments and agencies which run their offices according to
environmental best practices. These best practices adopted in the public sector include
environmental planning, waste reduction, energy conservation, water conservation, transport
and green public procurement.
The GPP has been submitted for Ministerial approval however this measure is behind
schedule.
29 Information available online from: http://www.ppcd.gov.mt/twinning [Accessed on: 29 September 2008]
Malta National Reform Programme 2008-2010 - 24 -