PN To Table Bill To Make Environmental Protection A Constitutional Right

This week, the Nationalist Party is set to table a bill in Parliament through which ‘our right to a healthy environment will be fully protected by the country’s Constitution.’

The bill aims to see the environment enshrined in the Constitution as a fundamental right, with intelligent development that protects and strengthens open spaces as well as sustainable communities that care for their surroundings.

In response to the bill, Minister for the Environment Miriam Dalli said that the Labour government, which, she said, already strengthened Malta’s environment, will have no problem in strengthening laws further.

However, she said, the disorganisation of the proposal suggests that the proposal does not represent the public well. She said that the government wants to make legal changes that are well studied.

NGO Repubblika added that Malta should finally hold a full constitutional convention, promised since 2012, instead of introducing small changes piece by piece.

They advocate enforceable State duties, the criminalisation of ecocide, and empowering civil society to represent the environment in court.

On its part, The Green Party, ADPD, said the proposal is positive but comes too late from the PN.

Chairperson Carmel Cacopardo stated that, rather than introducing new articles into the Constitution, the focus should be on reinforcing Article 9, which already establishes the environmental duties of the Maltese State. What is needed is to ensure that this article can be effectively implemented.

#MaltaDaily