Policy Papers
· Re-use of stone in Malta.
· Re-use of paper and carton
· Use of Hard Stone
· Economy and the new world order : its effect on the
environment
· Public transport
· Re-use of materials
· Air Quality
· Rights of Children (UNICEF)
· Use of plastic bottles
· Sea turtles, careta careta
· Golf Courses
· Clean Technology
· Urban Environment
· Plastics
· Drinking water
· Environmental friendly production
· Solar Energy
· Industry
· Glass bottles
· Water
· Light pollution
· Incineration
· Land-Use
The European Union
ECO called for an environmental protection
fund to be set up
Co-operation with the European Environmental
Bureau on a number of issues related to the European Union, although
Malta's application was frozen.
ECO official attended the Helsinki Ministerial
Conference on the Environment, Finland.
Requested the government to join the
European Environmental Agency
Lobbying and Law Enforcement
Throughout the year various activities
were held in favour of a metro system being set up in Malta.
This would include three main lines all finishing in the central
station in Valletta, from the 3 cities, Rabat and Paceville respectively.
Although covering a minor physical part of the island the proposal
would have solved the transport problems of the majority of the
Maltese.
ECO conducted research on transport in
Malta. 400 interviews were held. The detailed results were published.
Another survey on the Maltese and the Environment was carried
out with a similar sample.
Sewage treatment was requested from the
government, since to date only 13% of sewage is treated.
ECO continued to lobby for a legislation
to promote glass bottles instead of plastic ones; against illegal
fisheries and against off roading.
The enforcement of the laws protecting
frogs, as well as sea turtles was called for. Furthermore the
public was asked not to give animals as Christmas presents before
checking that these pets would have a good home.
Photos of various illegal quarries, buildings,
dumping, roads and factories operating in the Island were published.
Lobbied for the recycling of various materials.
ECO was represented on the Planning Authority
Consultative Group. ECO voiced its opinion on various issues.
ECO called for a Mediterranean Whale
Sanctuary and supported the anti whaling team
Praised the ratification of the desertification
convention by the government, as well as the new legislation
to protect rubble walls.
Informed the general public that the
ECO paper bank and the ECO glass bank had to close, after the
land allotted by the government was removed.
An educational campaign on beaches and
BBQ remains was held during the summer months.
Lobbied for ECO friendly farming techniques
to be used.
Environmental Education
The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister
for Foreign Affairs, Dr G.Vella distributed the ECO prizes to
the winners of the Saghtar competitions.
As part of the "Making
One World" Campaign various articles were published
on National Newspapers and Radio and Television interviews carried
out. The very popular Xummiemu (a hedgehog) stories were published
on the children's magazine Saghtar on a monthly basis.
The ECO web page, including info on all
ECOs campaigns was launched. Around 3000 persons visited it during
the first year.
Environmental education was carried out
on these themes: rainforests, vandalism on trees, native trees,
coral reefs, and public transport.
A drawing competition on ecology was
held in conjunction with WWF.
The Set
Them Free campaign was dedicated to local frogs, the discoglossus
pictus.
ECO donated books to the University of
Malta, the Qala Library, the Rabat school and the Seminary.
Industry and the environment.
The Fjuri
fil-Gallerija competition was organised with participants
from all over Malta and Gozo. Three prizes were awarded. The
idea to have flowered pots in the verandas was also promoted
with all local councils. These were asked to organise their own
competitions.
Solar Energy posters were distributed.
An exhibition of 600 paintings sent in
by children was set up at the TeleMalta HQs. The prizes were
distributed by Mr Joe Mizzi, Minister without portfolio in the
Office of the Prime Minister. 39 schools participated.
ECO participants in a competition on
UN Global Peace and Environment Fund participated in the international
drawing competition. Ms Joanna Bonnici, 9 years, won the 4th
prize in this international competition.
Published the booklet "What you
can do to help the environment?" with the help of WWF. Topics
included were transport, souvenirs, presents, domestic animals,
the consumer, the office, the home and the countryside.
An educational text, on the environment
in the next millennium was published on all the local press.
Participated in the book fair, were various
ECO publications were available for sale.
One Race Human Race (Campaign
on Racism)
Call for the abolition of the death penalty.
Worked for the rights of children, especially
against child labour (see policy papers).
Celebration of the UN Day Against Racism
in March.
The International Day Against Fascism
was remembered on the 9th November through an informative article
(in conjunction with UNITED).
International Activities
and Miscellaneous
ECO official attended the International
Conference on the Environment, Society, Education and Public
Awareness for sustainability in Thessaloniki
The Clean up the Mediterranean campaign
was organised on behalf of LegaAmbiente.
A tree planting session was organised
on Arbor Day and the campaign to save Tropical Forests was continued.
Various activities were held as part
of the National Clean Up the World Campaign.
Attended various meetings and conferences
organised by MED Forum, EYFA, YEE and FYEG of whom ECO is a member.
ECO signed the convention to combat desertification,
and urged the government to take action on the issue.
ECO agreed that the first decade of the
new millennium be dedicated to non violence
ECO published a leaflet with information
on all environmental NGOs.
ECO official attended the conference
on the Mediterranean Free Trade Zone, and issued a declaration
after the conference.
