CC ENVIroNMENT
Environmental well-being brings about growth For the first time after several years, Malta, has a minister responsible for both planning and the environment. We asked the new minister, Dr Aaron Farrugia – an economist himself – for his thoughts on the perceived conflict between economic growth and environmental well-being, and his plan for the way forward.
“T
he field of economics revolves around scarce resources and how we can make use of them in the most efficient and effective way whilst ensuring sustainability, that is, long-term gain and well-being,”says Minister Aaron Farrugia. Minister Aaron Farrugia adds that a crucial economic resource that is scarce is of course land, and in the case of Malta and Gozo, the issue of scarcity is more significant given the islands’ small size. “Based on this issue, in order to make sure that we make the best use of our land, planning and the environment have to be considered under one umbrella. This argument is verified through research which has consistently shown that country-level threats on environmental sustainability are usually a result of lack of communication and cooperation among the main stakeholders. Planning and the environment are two intertwined sectors that are extremely complex and devising strategies separately would be extremely dangerous. The meetings I have had over the past weeks with the different stakeholders can clearly confirm this,” Dr Farrugia explains. He says that based on this feedback, it is clear that we need to seek a better balance between growth and environmental concerns, with a focus on sustainability. “Most people believe that economic growth and environmental well-being are two mutually exclusive areas. This is especially so after we have experienced significant economic growth at the expense, in some cases, of environmental costs. This has brought about some tensions between stakeholders that fall under these two areas. The time has come to end these misconceptions.” While explaining that growth is needed to enhance social mobility, Minister Farrugia says that it is high time for it to be properly combined with environmental well-being, and to act on the idea that growth and environmental well-being need not be 56
mutually exclusive: policies that promote environmental well-being can bring growth. “I am a firm believer in this, but this would mean that we may need to shift our recipe for growth to meet environmental standards. Planning can take place within the remit of green-infrastructure and better waste management. This awareness of environmental well-being will generate green industries that promote new jobs such as green architects, environmental engineers, environmental scientists and environmental lawyers. This change in how we attain growth will definitely ensure social mobility, but also social well-being.” Minister Farrugia had said that he will be taking note and publishing the names of people he has had meetings with as a step towards full transparency. When asked what his motivations are, the Minister says that his values and beliefs as a social democrat hinge on equality of opportunity, whether it’s an opportunity for a job, a business, or a startup idea. “I took this action after reflecting a lot on how I can ensure a level playing field among the stakeholders that fall under my Ministry. The fact that all stakeholders have access to information will provide reassurance. Industry growth is mainly based on both good relationships and good governance.” On waste, the Minister says that this is an issue which affects all countries across the world but impacts densely populated societies the most. “Population growth, consumption growth and growth of the construction industry have put increased pressure on the local waste problem. I am working to ensure that Malta has a shortterm and long-term waste management solution,” he says. “In the short run, a number of bold decisions have been taken. I intend to actively implement such decisions, which include curbing single-use plastics, the Beverage Container Refund Scheme, and household waste separation schemes.
Long-term measures which we intend to uptake include investment in the incinerator, a waste-to-energy plant which is planned to process around 40 per cent of Malta’s waste. The remaining waste shall be recycled. This recycling process is only possible if we start investing in the concept of what we call the Circular Economy. This is an economic system that is targeted across all sectors and which is aimed at eliminating waste completely through the continuous use of resources,” he affirms. The Minister also speaks of investments currently underway in other infrastructural projects, such as the Multi-Material Recovery Facility in Hal Far which will target particular streams, the Skip Loading Facility which will enable better sorting of skips, the new Material Recovery Facility in Maghtab which FEBRUARY/MARCH 2020