Chapter 549

In short

This law, called the Environment Protection Act, aims to protect the environment and establishes an authority to carry out this protection, along with related matters.

What it regulates

• The protection of the environment, including air, water, land, soil, sea, atmosphere, biodiversity, and landscape.
• The establishment and functions of the Environment and Resources Authority.
• The duties of individuals, entities, and the Government regarding environmental protection and sustainable resource management.
• The application of environmental protection to exclusive economic zones and environment protection areas.

Who it concerns

• Every person and entity, whether public or private.
• The Government of Malta and all its entities.
• The Environment and Resources Authority and its members.

Key points

• It is the duty of every person and entity to protect the environment and assist in preventive and remedial measures.
• The Government has a duty to protect the environment for present and future generations, including managing it sustainably, addressing pollution, safeguarding biodiversity, and promoting research.
• The Environment and Resources Authority is established with a board of not less than nine (9) and not more than eleven (11) members, including a Chairperson.
• The provisions of this Act and its subsidiary legislation also apply to an exclusive economic zone area or an environment protection area.