It is common knowledge that to address any situation, first you need to define it and then determine the reason behind the state of affairs. A patient with backache goes to the doctor for a diagnosis, an X-ray may be taken and together they discuss a line of action.

The State of the Environment Report is motivated by the same reasoning: it takes stock of the current state of the environment, it raises awareness on the issues that need to be addressed and it defines the responsibilities and who carries them. State of the environment reporting is done to support decision-making with credible and timely environmental information about what is really happening to the environment. It also provides answers to a number of uncertainties as to why things happen to the environment, what will happen if action is not taken, as well as whether response policies and actions are having the desired effect. State of the environment reports continue to be used to assess how well impacts on the environment are being managed and they also review policy, educate and benchmark against other countries.

This, of course, is not about a comfortable exercise in public relations. It is an exercise in transparency, accountability and putting the state of the environment to the scrutiny of the public. The positive and the negative are there for all to see. It then depends on the goodwill of individuals to decide whether to turn such a serious report into a political ball or come together to map a way forward. I, for one, as minister responsible for the environment and also as a citizen, do not choose to curse the darkness, but I opt to light a candle.

I note with pleasure that the report is generating a healthy debate within our society. It is part of government’s commitment to give access to information about a sensitive issue as the environment, which has such a direct impact not only on our quality of life but more importantly on our health.

The environment is a priority target to the government and it is encouraging to note from statistics in the report that we have made positive strides in reducing air pollution. Following the Government’s bold decisions to introduce clean fuels in the form of unleaded petrol and low-sulphur fuel for the power stations, concentrations of benzene and sulphur dioxide have also fallen remarkably. It is also encouraging to note that bathing water quality meets all the criteria related to the Bathing Water Directive.

This by no means should induce us to be complacent. Malta’s high population density and past experiences on mismanaging the environment continue to proof to be a bone of contention. The challenge is to allow controversy, through consultation, to contribute towards a better end result. We must continue to improve environmental quality especially in areas of great challenges like, for example, waste management and nature protection. As registered in the report, resources for environmental protection are on the increase but to meet our environmental challenges we need also to continue building the capacity of our institutions, both in terms of expertise and resources, to manage the environment better.

Land is Malta’s primary non-renewable natural resource. The country’s small size, its high population density and the increasing land values all contribute to an over-use of land, which is the reason why the State for the Environment Report calls for an improved overall efficiency of land use.

Maltese soils’ vulnerability to erosion has also been intensified. However, it is encouraging to note from statistics that, the rate of agricultural land loss has decreased from 200 hectares annually in the period between 1971 and 1986 to around 80 hectares in the period 1986 to 2001. Also, for the very first time, in 2005, redevelopment on previously developed land has surpassed development on virgin land which is now on the decrease (as shown in the graph).

A common understanding must also be reached to reduce greenhouse gases and pollutants emissions. This cannot be safeguarded solely through the generation of cleaner electricity but also by improving on energy consumption through better efficiency. Energy efficiency in buildings makes economic sense more so now when the true cost of electricity is starting to be met by consumers.

The budget measures for photovoltaic and wind installations is also a step in the right direction and for the first time ever investing in green technology is not just about the environment but about economic sense. Eco-efficient economic growth needs to be promoted by decoupling growth from material resource use and waste generation, and in particular addressing environmentally-damaging trends in the energy and transport sectors.

The report’s user-friendly format should attract more people to take interest and understand what state our environment is in and come forward with their proposals. We all agree that information is power and through this publication we hope to raise awareness and disseminate enough information to empower people to take action and give their contribution to change the environment, each in our little ways.

George Pullicino is Minister for Rural Affairs and the Environment.