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Malta could see several new land reclamation projects in the future, according to its 2050 vision. Photo: Shutterstock.com

Government eyes land reclamation projects to shift industrial activity

Past plans faltered, but Malta’s 2050 vision puts it back on the table

April 17, 2025| Neville Borg
How many of Malta’s cars would pass the exhaust sound limit laid down by the EU Regulation-68 decibels? File photo: Matthew Mirabelli

Sound is essential – noise is not

ERA has promised neighbourhood noise regulation. We're still waiting

April 12, 2025| John Fenech
Times of Malta file photo

PN tables motion proposing changes to environmental regulations

PN says new regulations will add more pressure on ERA and believe the process is not clear

April 8, 2025| Times of Malta
People are still free to extract groundwater from Malta’s boreholes without paying a cent. Photo: Shutterstock.com

Authorities still undecided about tariffs for groundwater extraction

Companies are still allowed to extract groundwater for free before selling it

April 4, 2025| Neville Borg
The Ficus trees located in front of St John's Cathedral, on the side of the parvis. Photo: Jonathan Borg

Protected tree in front of Valletta cathedral could be removed

Application seeks to transplant Ficus away from parvis of St John's co-Cathedral

April 1, 2025| Marc Galdes
Environment minister Miriam Dalli said the reform would increase transparency, public participation and create a level playing field for environmentally conscious companies. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

Government announces reform to beef up environmental permits

Several industries previously in grey area will now be regulated

March 10, 2025| Matthew Bonanno
ERA officers gave out more than 2,000 fines and warnings last year. File photo: ERA.

Over 1,000 fines issued last year for rubbish left out on wrong day

Fines increased over previous years

March 7, 2025| Times of Malta
The rubble mountain is still several storeys high. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

Rubble mountain still towers over Rabat – six months after promise of action

‘I think the quarry is now even higher than Magħtab’ – neighbouring farmer

January 31, 2025| Daniel Ellul
Air pollution claims 250 lives in Malta every year. In the photo, from left: Melissa Bagley, Sandra Gauci and Ralph Cassar. Photo: ADPD

Green Party criticises ERA for its handling of Naxxar quarry dust issue

Nobody has the courage to take strict measures, ADPD says

January 25, 2025| Times of Malta
Swieqi mayor Noel Muscat and the project’s architect Joseph Bondin debate the need for a nursing home and the ecological sensitivity of the area. Photo: Planning Authority

Developers suspend plans for nursing home on Swieqi ODZ

This is the fifth time the project has been proposed on this land

November 28, 2024| Mario Xuereb
The renovated Spencer Garden in Marsa.

Spencer Garden in Marsa given a new lease of life

ERA-led renovation inaugurated by Robert Abela and Miriam Dalli

November 27, 2024| Times of Malta
Alan Deidun and Steve Zammit Lupi receive the awards. Photos: ERA

Alan Deidun and Steve Zammit Lupi honoured at ERA Awards

Marine biologist and environmental activist receive awards for their work

November 16, 2024| Times of Malta
Environment Minister Miriam Dalli provides figures on the number of fines ERA has handed out in the past eight years. Credit: Jonathan Borg

Environmental watchdog made 31 requests for criminal prosecution in six years

A total of 589 administrative fines were issued since 2016

October 9, 2024| Giulia Magri
The oil stretched across the bay, seemingly originating from Manoel Island. Photo: Stephen Payne.

Oil slick stretches from Manoel Island to Tigné after yacht yard spill

Transport Malta investigating why it was not contained immediately

September 18, 2024| James Cummings
Neighbours have warned the illegal ‘rubble mountain’ is dangerous. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier

Dangerous Rabat 'rubble mountain' to be reduced, authorities promise

No new material will be allowed on the site

September 4, 2024| Daniel Ellul
A quarry that has been illegally backfilled to several storeys high is posing a “very dangerous situation” for a neighboring farmer, Photo: Chris Sant Fournier

Cassola asks Ombudsman to investigate illegal quarry backfilling in Rabat

Cassola says government entities have not taken action over the illegal practice

August 27, 2024| Daniel Ellul
Angelo Giordmaina on his Rabat farm next to the backfilled quarry. Photos: Chris Sant Fournier

Watch: Farmer fears landslide as illegal quarry backfill grows higher

Quarry owner ignoring enforcement notices

August 25, 2024| Daniel Ellul
Holes were drilled into the main trunk and root of the trees in March. File photo: Chris Sant Fournier

Mosta trees show signs of ‘potential recovery’

Holes were drilled into their trunks and an unspecified liquid was poured around them

August 3, 2024| Giulia Magri
An aerial shot of the proposed site adjacent to an existing quarry which its owners want to extend. Photo: PA

Birguma quarry can be extended without major ecological impact, ERA rules

Quarry extension project waved ahead without need for impact assessment report

May 4, 2024| Matthew Xuereb
The three-storey sheep farm in Bidnija had its permit revoked and will have to be considered afresh. Photo: Jonathan Borg

Massive Bidnija sheep farm permit revoked

Farmer must file fresh application which will be considered from scratch

April 25, 2024| Matthew Xuereb
The Environment and Resource Authority has administered eight fines, over €25,000, since the entity began operating in 2016. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

Half of heaviest environmental fines were issued to government entities

Offences related to removing trees were most frequently listed

April 16, 2024| Daniel Ellul
The three-storey sheep farm in Bidnija may have its permit revoked over a technicality. Photo: Jonathan Borg

Bidnija sheep farm permit slated for revocation

Planning Authority still considering a separate application for residence, retail outlet

April 16, 2024| Matthew Xuereb
Complaints about fumes emerging from the Bitmac factory made headlines last year. Photo: Jonathan Borg

Plans to extend ERA permit rules to asphalt, cement and chemical factories

Proposed new law also seeks to allow citizens to intervene in ERA applications

February 21, 2024| Daniel Ellul
Record heatwaves last July coincided with 10 days of persistent power cuts.  Photo: Chris Sant Fournier

ERA waives environmental impact assessment for 'urgently' needed power plant

Enemalta warned of 'repeat of the crisis' if extra capacity is not in place by summer

February 13, 2024| Daniel Ellul
A skip containing bags full of hazardous clinical waste was found in a field in Żebbuġ.

Government contractor illegally stored hazardous waste in Żebbuġ field

Company that collects waste from St Vincent de Paul insists no dumping took place

February 5, 2024| Matthew Xuereb
The public was greeted by naked trees that once graced Mosta square. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier

ERA never protects our trees

One wonders why ERA issued the permit for the destruction of the Mosta trees

December 11, 2023| Alfred Baldacchino
Residents say the tarmac plant will be disastrous for their health. Photo: Shutterstock

Residents to protest in Qrendi over plans to shift BIP Ltd tarmac plant

People from four villages band together to flag PA plan to approve factory move

November 22, 2023| Times of Malta
Planning Minister Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi.

Planning Minister: PA permit deadlines were extended to give 'breathing space '

Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi says developers faced 'obstacles'

November 18, 2023| Times of Malta
Lanfranco's Sea Lavender. Photo: ERA

New endemic plant discovered in Malta

Lanfranco's Sea Lavender found within very narrow coastal strip of Natura 2000 site

November 11, 2023| Times of Malta
The 120km cable will run parallell to the existing interconnector. File Photo: Chris Sant Fournier

Second electricity interconnector gets green light from environmental regulator

ERA: project does not pose significant environmental impact if works carried out according to plans

August 25, 2023| Jessica Arena