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Communications |
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Nature Trust (Malta) & FOI Seminar |
Date:
30/03/2004
The Hon. George Pullicino, Minister for Rural Affairs and the Environment, delivers opening speech at a Seminar entitled ‘European Union and Corporate Environmental Responsibility’ organised by Nature Trust (Malta) and Malta Federation of Industry.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good morning. It was with immense pleasure that I accepted the invitation to open this seminar organised by Nature Trust (Malta) and the Malta Federation of Industry on the European Union and Corporate Environmental Responsibility.
Through this seminar one can identify how the industry and environment can actually work together rather than in confrontation. Such a co-operation will eventually improve the level of corporate environment responsibility.
Corporate environmental responsibility is basically the environmental responsibilities that a company is obliged to take care of as a result of its operations and is an integral part of the whole package of social responsibilities of that entity. It is true that a company’s main aim is to make a profit but it is also equally important to take care of its social and environmental responsibilities. The government’s role is to provide a common legal framework which benefit those companies that strive not only to abide by local legislation but also to set standards that are recognised within the EU and international industry.
Enforcement is equally important so as to ensure that wrong-doers clean up their act and follow the others. This is more important if they are actually undercutting prices to the detriment of green companies, which could lead to a negative response from the other companies.
One of the main objectives of this Government, as mentioned by the Prime Minister, is to improve the quality of our Environment. This is a task that we are doing not because we are to become an EU member state but for the benefit of all citizens, the industry, its employees and their families.
Furthermore, the way forward is to be in line with EU directives and this will further enhance the quality of our companies and improve both on their products and profitability. Such practices within the industry will also contribute towards improving air quality, water and energy consumption, waste management etc. – in other words, the environment.
Companies who aim at attaining the European, Eco-Management & Audit Scheme ‘EMAS’ standard will be displaying a certificate of high quality. Such standards would also be recognised by the local authorities and although EMAS will involve MEPA in some additional tasks, it will nevertheless greatly facilitate our work as regulators.
A fundamental pre-requisite of EMAS participation and certification, is an assurance that the participating organisation is in full compliance with the legal requirements related to the environment. MEPA will therefore have a key role whereby any organisation attempting to be certified, is in compliance with the legal requirements existing in Malta.
To verify compliance, MEPA’s environmental inspectorate is required to inspect all sites which have or may have impacts on the environment. Depending on the nature of these operations or activities, organisations will be subject to a basic level of regulatory inspections as recommended by the Commission. Some of these will be routine and announced visits. Others will be of surprise and unannounced nature.
In conformity with standard practice, MEPA will be able to relax or intensify its inspection programme according to the performance of the individual organisation or activity. MEPA will definitely view EMAS certified sites as offering a lower risk to the environment and to public health. Having a certified and independently audited environmental management system will thus allow MEPA to relax its inspection frequency for these sites, to better concentrate on others which have not been so progressive in their environmental commitment.
Through personal experience, I have witnessed the fact that companies which opted to invest in greener technologies make themselves more attractive to their products buyers. This has been the case of say Dowty ‘O’ Rings, that have registered a considerable increase in orders and sales after doing so. The higher level of awareness has led to entities and people in becoming more conscious in buying their products from companies who are respecting the global environment.
This inspection regime which is an essential part of the verification that Malta is complying to the required standards, with the environment acquis, will require resources and capacity, all of which come at a cost to the country. This regulatory function will have to be self financed to a large extent through the licensing and permitting systems.
The government will be enforcing the polluter pays principle, which will result in a further improvement as those polluting are made responsible for their deeds.
Finally, I want to emphasise that this Government is fully committed to improving our environment. This can be seen from the added responsibilities that have been given to the Ministry falling under my responsibilities and the introduction of a Cabinet Committee for the environment.
Nevertheless, the Environment is not only the Government’s responsibility. We all have to work together – the Industry, NGO’s and the general public all have to contribute towards the common goal of forwarding a better environment to our future generations.
I hope that this seminar will serve as a catalyst to bring forward new ideas and motivation.
Thank you. |
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