Recalling its proposal of two years ago, the Interdiocesan Environment Commission (KA) urges the Government to publish all the studies and research carried out in relation to:

1. All the alternative options for better accessibility between Malta and Gozo, clearly indicating which option or options offer the most sustainable means of accessibility from the environmental, social, economic and operational perspective;
2. The opportunities for new jobs and investment that may be created thanks to the choice of such option/s;
3. The factors that still deter investors from investing in Gozo when such options, or at least one of them, would be implemented…

The Interdiocesan Environment Commission (KA) cannot understand why some are surprised that our country is facing a crisis when it comes to construction waste. What has long been crystal clear to people with a strategic vision, does not seem to have been so obvious to whoever was or is responsible for generating such waste and to the authorities who should have devised plans to avoid ending up in the situation we are in today long ago…

A prominent characteristic of the current Maltese skyline is undoubtedly the excessive number of cranes soaring high above our towns and villages, likened by many to monsters eating away what is left of our spaces and buildings of historical value. The irony of it all is that whoever is interested in simply swelling his coffers tries to have everyone believe that Malta cannot do without such development as this is a sign of progress…

The President of the European Parliament Antonio Tajani thanked the Interdiocesan Environment Commission for the letter sent, proposing that member states of the European Union should be more attentive and listen to the people’s voice on projects that will have an impact on the community, particularly EU-funded projects.

The letter was sent to the President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker, to the European College Commissioners and to the President of the European Parliament Antonio Tajani, on the occasion of the World Day of Urban Planning, celebrated on the 8th November…

In its submission in the consultation exercise related to Malta’s Sustainable Development Vision for 2050 which was carried out last November, the Interdiocesan Environment Commission (KA) makes the following points:

1. As to responsibility at ministerial level, various ministries tend to be too focused on their own remit to respond to sustainability issues. Moreover, housing sustainable development within the Ministry for the Environment, Sustainable Development and Climate Change tends to reinforce the misconception that sustainable development deals with ‘environmental stuff’…

Following a request by Archbishop Charles J. Scicluna, the Kummissjoni Interdjoċesana Ambjent (KA) has formed an opinion on development application PA10598/17 for a development on St Rita Priory site, Paceville. The proposed development is for a 12-storey four-star accommodation building and office complex, with a language school and offices at basement level, and a further five basement levels for 246 underground parking spaces…

Like so many other citizens, the Church Environment Commission (KA) is baffled by the decision of the Planning Authority (PA) to approve the extensive project proposed by db Group at St George’s Bay. The KA, like other concerned citizens, had already tabled its objections for the development in its communication dated 30th May 2018.[1] At this point in time, rather than repeating the objections, the KA feels that this decision warrants answers to some serious questions:

• How can the PA reconcile its decision with its mission of “acting on behalf of the community to provide a balanced and sustainable environment,”[2] when one considers the thousands of objections levelled against this development that were disregarded? …

Min hu fidil f’ħaġa tassew żgħira, hu fidil ukoll fil‑ħafna (Lq 16:10)

“Hi ħaġa tassew nobbli li wieħed iħabrek biex jieħu ħsieb tal‑ħolqien b’għemejjel ċkejkna ta’ kuljum … bħal meta wieħed jevita l‑użu ta’ materjal tal‑plastik jew tal‑karta, inaqqas il‑konsum tal‑ilma, jifred l‑iskart, isajjar biss dak li jaħseb li jiflaħ jiekol, jittratta b’għożża l‑ħlejjaq ħajjin l‑oħra, jinqeda bit‑trasport pubbliku jew jaqsam l‑istess karozza ma’ iktar minn persuna waħda, jiżra’ s‑siġar, jitfi dwal mixgħula għalxejn, u ħafna iżjed.” (Laudato si’, par…

The Church Environment Commission (KA) feels that the proposed development by
db Group at St George’s Bay runs roughshod over a planning system that is meant to create and serve sustainable communities. This is symptomatic of a planning system which is fast being dismantled to make way to a system in which priority is obviously being given to individual projects rather than to community needs – a clear consequence of ill-advised policies and controversial decisions…