Circle Jan2018 low

CIRCLE PROMOTION
Putting the environment first
SUNDAY CIRCLE SITS DOWN WITH THE UNIT MANAGER OF NATIONAL AFFAIRS AT THE ENVIRONMENT AND
RESOURCES AUTHORITY, CLAIRE CORDINA BORG, TO DISCOVER WHAT GOES ON WITHIN ITS FRAMEWORK.
There are many things we take for granted and which we simply assume will always
work the way they’ve always worked. The environment, however, is not one thing we
can afford to overlook. In fact, it is only through a healthy environment that we can
truly have a good quality of life and ensure the same for future generations.
In Malta, that task falls in the hands of the people who work at the Environment
and Resources Authority (ERA) – an entity that became independent less than two
years ago in April 2016. Their role since the demerger has not changed per se, but
what they do has become more invaluable than ever.
“Our work is centred around the environment,” explains Claire, who has been in
the job for over 15 years – well before ERA split from the Planning Authority – and
who deals with all the Units within the Authority. “We are responsible for creating
environment-related, nation-wide policies; for ensuring that both new and old
policies are being upheld by companies, the Government, other entities and the
general public; for addressing shortcomings and bringing perpetrators back in line;
and for raising awareness about the environment and the rights people have with
regards to the environment they live in.”
To ensure all this is done, ERA has close to 180 personnel split into various
Directorates and Units.
The Environment and Resources Directorate has one director, and three
Deputy Directors responsible for various Units each. The seven Units together
encompass every sphere of the environment and the laws set up to protect it.
The National Affairs unit - which Claire leads, provide strategic and horizontal
input to the thematic and operational Units of ERA, together with the International
Affairs Unit. This Unit develops ERA policy, greens the policy of other entities external
to ERA and is also responsible for outreach and communication with stakeholders and
the general public. The thematic units Claire and her colleagues work closely with
comprise the Biodiversity and Water Unit, which is responsible for the protection and
monitoring of the ecological health of the land and the sea, and the Ambient Quality
40Sunday Circle ∫ JANUARY 2018