An equilibrium between the environment and development

The Commission has the following objectives

• To review how far sustainable development is being achieved in Malta in all relevant fields, and identify any relevant processes or policies which may be undermining this;
• To identify important unsustainable trends which will not be reversed on the basis of current or planned action, and recommend action to reverse the trends;
• To deepen understanding of the concept of sustainable development, increase awareness of the issues it raises, and build agreement on them;
• To encourage and stimulate good practice in the use and management of natural resources.

The Minister for the Environment said that this Commission will provide a forum for discussion between the Government and civil society with appointees from Ministries, government departments, public bodies, political parties, non-governmental organizations, business and other interest groups concerned with environmental protection. Francis Zammit Dimech said that sustainable development is concerned with the welfare of both present and future generations.

Francis Zammit Dimech said that the topics being discussed at the ARCHimedes’ Pot Conference, that is innovation in materials, innovation in urban design and sustainability, all fit in the concept of sustainable development. He said that those present for this conference should ensure that the word innovation should be synonymous with sustainability and that in all their future studies, planning and execution of works no stone is left unturned in an effort to reduce wastage and maximize on the use of recyclable material.

The Minister for the Environment said that the Solid Waste Management Strategy for the Maltese Island which was published last October deals with recycled building materials. He said that a ‘Recycled Building Materials Working Party’ is being created to act as a forum for regular communication, decision-making and agreement among the main interest groups within the quarrying and construction industry. Francis Zammit Dimech said that this working party will be formed under the auspices of the Building Industry Consultative Council (BICC) and will include representatives from relevant Government bodies. He quoted from the Strategy and mentioned the principal tasks of the Working Party, "primarily aimed to recover and recycle materials from excavation, demolition and construction wastes so as to:

• Undertake a proper evaluation of the quarrying and construction quantities and thereafter confirm or re-establish the reduction, recovery and recycling targets for the waste stream
• Identify what materials and from which specific wastes that can be recovered and/or reused and/or recycled, and for which applications.
• Ensure that a regular supply of source segregated feedstock is kept.
• Provide advice to the Waste Management Services Agency for the setting up of a facility to receive, store and process such wastes, and produce recycled products/ materials that meet recognized standards and specifications.
• Encourage and provide means of research into developing/discovering recycling/recovery methods /products suitable for local requirements.
• Establish the standards and specifications that permit the use of recycled products /materials in various applications.Create widespread awareness of recycled building products / materials and their potential applications.
• Establish standards and specifications that permit the disposal of excavated rock in the sea."

Francis Zammit Dimech said that a good percentage of dwelling units in Malta are vacant. He said that a high percentage of these vacant dwelling units are uninhabitable because of lack of sanitary conditions and comforts. He proposed that members of innARC should come up with ideas for the restoration of such properties. Francis Zammit Dimech said that he was sure that if these dwellings were rehabilitated there will be a lot of people ready to move in as such houses can easily mix the beauty of old buildings with the comforts of modern age. Francis Zammit Dimech said that rehabilitating such buildings was a challenge which helped in no small way the concept of sustainability.

The Minister for the Environment augured that this conference will go a long way in addressing innovations to our architecture. He said that better use of land and comfort should be the hallmark of innovation. Moreover, all our efforts should be channeled towards sustainable development and its long term benefits on present and future generations.