At present, the Environment and Resources Authority is holding a public consultation for its National Strategy for the Environment 2050. In this document, the government has selected a scenario for the next few decades whereby the wellbeing of citizens is put at the forefront, replacing GDP as the sole measure of success. This puts Malta on the same page as other countries like New Zealand, which last year was the first country to implement a "wellbeing budget", putting people back at the centre of decision making. It is way overdue that policy makers realised that without healthy, happy people, then the economy is doomed to smack into a brick wall. Happiness is not a natural consequence of economic growth for most of the world's population. Let us therefore consider what the obstacles are to actually putting wellbeing first in the Maltese context over the next thirty years.

When we look back at previous policy documents and visions for the environment, we see a lot of promises. However, the gulf between theory and reality is always a lot wider than any policy maker dares to admit in public. Policies are usually treated like marketing campaigns; promising the world, but failing to address root problems. However, this is not to put down the government's "Wellbeing First" vision. On the contrary, anybody of good-will should want it to succeed. What might stop it from being realised? 

First of all, let us think about how in its document, A Modern Building and Construction Regulation Framework, the Kamra Tal-Periti identifies 22 different institutions responsible for building, construction and planning in Malta. On top of them lies a tangled mess of regulation to navigate, and overlapping responsibilities. How can any vision succeed unless there is clarity in legislation, regulation and enforcement? The Environment and Resources Authority and its associated bodies may not even have the authority to realise the National Strategy for the Environment at present. Malta therefore needs to follow the advice of impartial experts to actually implement tangible recommendations on how to sort the mess in our own backyard. How can we run before we learn to walk? NGOs also carry a wealth of experience and have crucial grassroots connections. They should not be seen as problems to be overcome, but as partners to work with, once taken seriously.

The fragmentation in regulation and enforcement must be answered by bringing together all the responsible bodies and empowering them sufficiently. In its manifesto, the Labour Party promised an Environmental Court. We are still waiting for one - but having this promise delivered is not enough. It all depends on implementation. Similarly, trying to meet the targets of the National Strategy for the Environment is not enough if the construction sector is meanwhile allowed to go on rampaging through the country. Decades of painful, expensive work might be undone by the casual decision of some board members of the Planning Authority at any point over the next thirty years. Board members and chairpersons should need warrants to practice and judge on cases, just like any other professional who has the power to affect people's lives. These warrants to practice should be temporary and it should be possible to revoke them when there is malpractice.

There is a lot of promise behind the National Strategy for the Environment 2050. It is well intentioned, and if critical feedback is taken seriously, and a genuine effort is made to work with stakeholders, then there might be hope for a change in direction. The benefit of the doubt is fragile, however. Should the government engage with civil society, watch dogs and other political parties such as Alternattiva Demokratika and Partit Demokratiku in good faith, then solutions can be found which are in the best interests of everybody, rather in the interests of a select few looking to get rich quickly at the expense of everyone else. For our part, we shall do our duty as always, offering constructive criticism and playing our part in politics for the sake of a healthy, accountable and transparent democracy.

Rachelle Deguara, a student and Co-Chairperson of Alternattiva Demokratika Żgħażagħ