PL MPs on Thursday shot down the Opposition's Private Members' Bill seeking to amend the provisions of the Constitution by introducing and recognising the right to live in a clean, healthy and sustainable environment as a fundamental human right, with 32 votes in favour, and 40 against.

The proposal, which the Opposition described as "historic," was dismissed by the government as "immature and irresponsible."

In a heated parliamentary debate on Thursday, MPs debated the PN's bill to make environmental protection a constitutional right.

The Bill, spearheaded by PN MP Darren Carabott, called for the Constitution to be amended so that every Maltese and Gozitan is guaranteed the right to live in a clean and sustainable environment.

The PN was met with stiff resistance from the government, which countered by publishing a green paper instead, warning that the PN's proposal could unleash legal and economic uncertainty.

Carabott said that such a Constitutional change requires a two-thirds majority in Parliament and urged government MPs to put aside partisan differences and support the bill.

"Today can be a historic day. Since Independence, Malta has never introduced a new fundamental right. This is our opportunity to give every Maltese citizen the right to live in a clean and sustainable environment, as many other countries have already done," he said.

Carabott said that the Opposition had been consistent on this issue, saying that "at the top of our laws we should have the right to a healthy and sustainable environment."

He said that if government votes down the bill, the issue would not be able to return before Parliament until the next legislature.

"If you vote against today, you are voting against the environment and against present and future generations," he said, adding that the PN was also open to improving the draft amendment with government if necessary.

He accused the government of "fear mongering" by claiming the amendment could open the door to excessive litigation, and said that a fundamental right can only be enforced against the State, not against individuals or associations.

Carabott quoted the Ombudsman in saying that the amendments could open Pandora's box, but beneath all the bad, at the bottom of the box, there is hope.

Carabott appealed to Environment Minister Miriam Dalli to seize the opportunity to vote in favour of the bill.

"The people will judge whether you are with the environment or against it. We extend our hand of friendship and invite you to write history together," Carabott said.

He said that for two years, government knew about this proposal, and suddenly, at 3.30pm on Thursday, government "realised" there should be discussion, in reference to the green paper.

Carabott said that the PN chose this day to move forward after years of preparation. "Don't kill people's hope. If you oppose today, a Nationalist government will implement this idea," Carabott said.

'PN's proposal is immature and irresponsible,' Environment Minister says

Environment Minister Miriam Dalli shot back at Carabott, describing the PN amendment as rushed and lacking proper consultation.

She said that earlier in the day, the government had published a green paper on environmental protection, inviting the public, industries, NGOs, and social partners to give feedback before moving forward, also tabling a copy in Parliament.

"As Minister, I have an obligation to ensure that any legal changes go through a full process - technical, legal, financial and societal assessments. The PN's proposal has gone through none of these. Instead of a studied and robust framework, we were presented with a Facebook post by Carabott," she said.

Dalli said that while the government had strengthened environmental legislation, climate laws, and land-use regulations during this legislature, constitutional changes must be carefully considered.

"We cannot legislate irresponsibly and risk creating unintended consequences for industries, sporting organisations, hunting and trapping associations, and even NGOs," she said.

Dalli listed organisations that had already raised concerns, including the Malta Maritime Forum, the Malta Developers Association, and motorsports and hunting federations, accusing the PN of insulting their intelligence by suggesting they had not been consulted.

"These organisations are not to be dismissed. They spoke with government and even with PN representatives. Yet the Opposition twists their words and insults their intelligence. This is unacceptable," she said

"This amendment, as proposed, could become a tool for anyone who does not have a genuine interest in the environment but wants to pursue legal challenges for their own reasons," she warned.

Dalli also said that Carabott was being untruthful when quoting the Ombudsman, and failed to quote him fully, saying that the Ombudsman cautioned that such amendments could open a "Pandora's box of intricacies" and lacked clarity on what they were meant to achieve.

She added that unlike the PN, the government had already taken concrete steps to strengthen environmental laws, such as taking measures to protect land and natural sites such as Hondoq ir-Rummien from development. Meanwhile, Dalli said, PN Leader Alex Borg had said that he is not opposed to high-rise buildings in Gozo.

"We are creating more open spaces and remain committed to do more, including constitutional amendments. However, they must be built on proper studies and consultation," she said.

Appealing to all, including the Opposition, Dalli invited them to take part in the consultation process.

'Government told stakeholders to issue statements opposing PN bill,' Alex Borg says

Opposition Leader Alex Borg accused the government of being in a "state of panic" at the prospect of the PN leading this bill on the national agenda.

"Today we present a clear example of an effective Opposition setting a national agenda for Malta, an example of an alternative government," he said.

Borg spoke of the legal and environmental importance of the proposed amendment, and said that this law is about quality of life - clean air, safe drinking water, protected seas, sustainable agriculture, and green spaces.

"These are not luxuries; they are rights for everyone, for present and for future generations," he said.

Borg spoke of Malta's current environmental crises, from air pollution to precarious waste management and the increasing threats to open spaces and the marine environment.

"Our seas are under pressure, open spaces have disappeared, and decades of neglect have put our environment at risk. This bill offers a clear, legal framework to safeguard what belongs to all of us," Borg said.

Borg also condemned what he called the government's attempts to intimidate stakeholders into opposing the bill.

"Since I took the role of PN leader, the other side has sent messages, calls, and even WhatsApp chats by government members to social partners and NGOs to issue statements against this proposal. They have tried to sow fear, confuse the public, and cast a shadow over the Opposition's efforts," he said.

Borg spoke of the bill's legal impact, explaining that the proposed constitutional right would give courts the power to block government decisions that harm the environment.

"This is about holding the State accountable, ensuring that any development or policy respects the right to a healthy, sustainable environment. It protects everyone, Maltese and Gozitans alike, from harmful decisions," he said.

Borg tied environmental protection to Maltese identity and heritage, noting that the law also safeguards cultural and social traditions.

"This is not just about green spaces or air quality. It is about our identity, our way of life, and the legacy we leave for our children. Every action we take today affects the Malta and Gozo that future generations will inherit," he said, criticising the government for years of delay.

"This bill should have been embraced two years ago. Instead, the Labour Party proposed a dangerous law, without consultation, on the planning reforms. We cannot afford to waste another day. The PN is committed to real change, not politics of billboards," Borg said.

Borg said that Malta and Gozo are one nation, and politicians have the political responsibility to design policies that preserve, not destroy.

"The public is watching us to defend the rights of the Maltese and Gozitan people, to have the environment truly in our hearts," Borg said.

Transport Minister Chris Bonett,  warned against what he called the PN's "disastrously written" amendment.  "It would be devastating for many sectors, especially the maritime industry, which is essential for our economy. We know it pollutes, but we are working step by step with industry to make it green, for example through shore-to-ship electricity for cruise liners," he said.

Bonett said the Opposition lacked legal and technical understanding of the implications of their proposal.

"They presented a bill without knowing what they were presenting. This is a lack of competence. It must be withdrawn," he said, welcoming instead the government's green paper as the basis for broad consultation.

PN MP Rebekah Borg said that she had never imagined she would listen to the Environment Minister speak against environmental protection.

"She told us consultation is essential. Let me remind her that the Prime Minister never conducted studies or consultations on the planning laws, and I doubt he consulted with her either," Borg said.

She criticised claims that relevant associations, including architects and the Malta Developers Association, were not consulted.  "The consultation was launched ahead of this debate, so why is government claiming that NGOs weren't involved?" she asked.

Borg said the PN is ready to protect the environment without using it for political gain.

Minister Jonathan Attard raised concerns about the amendment's potential legal implications.

He said that while including traditions and culture in environmental law is important, constitutional amendments require a "wide-ranging consultation."

"It is noble in intent, but full of legal problems that cannot be ignored. It risks unintended consequences and could endanger the effectiveness of existing environmental laws," he said.

Attard criticised the PN for ignoring the proper process and pointed out that the Malta Developers Association had said no consultation took place. PN MP Darren Carabott then said the PN had met with the association on 30 June.

"They present themselves as defenders of the environment, but they undermine consultation procedures," Attard said.