Protected natural areas
The Maltese archipelago boasts a number of nature reserves and parks, which combine environmental protection with public access. In accordance with European regulations, the country has also created Natura 2000 protected areas, to protect remarkable habitats and species.
Ghadira Nature Reserve: located in the north of Malta, it protects wetlands and former salt pans that have become habitats for migratory birds. Some 140 species can be found here, which can be discovered on guided tours and from observation posts.
Simar Reserve: this wetland, also classified as RAMSAR, is home to resident and migratory birds, as well as other rare and protected species of fish and birds, chameleons and geckos
Majjistral National Park (Majjistral natural and historic park): located in the north-west of Malta, it is home to Natura 2000 areas and remarkable spaces such as the coastal cliffs (Rdumijiet ta 'Malta). It protects a variety of ecosystems: scrubland, steppes, freshwater basins, cliffs and dune habitats, as well as plant and animal species, some of which are endemic. It is also home to vernacular cultural heritage (dry-stone buildings) and archaeological sites.
Other natural areas include the Salina nature reserve, the Marsaxlokk salt marshes, the Wied Ghollieqa nature reserve and the Xrobb L-Ghagin nature park.
Challenges related to water resources
There is little water in the area, which has no rivers. Rainfall is particularly low from April to October, with periods of drought that could become increasingly frequent with global warming. At the same time, demand for water is increasing, in line with demographic and tourist growth. Malta will welcome over 3 million tourists in 2023 (8% more than its previous record in 2019), almost a million more than its population. As well as being overexploited, groundwater suffers from pollution linked to human activities (via wastewater, waste, pesticides). Salinization linked to the infiltration of seawater into groundwater could increase with global warming (rising sea levels). To mitigate this situation, the island is deploying various solutions. The cisterns of past centuries are no longer sufficient. A number of desalination plants have been built across the island, but one drawback is their high energy consumption. The water treated in some of these plants is also distributed to the country's highly fragmented agricultural land. Protecting water resources also means keeping track of consumption. To this end, the country has introduced individual meters that enable remote monitoring of water and energy consumption. Other projects, such as the Alter Aqua program (2011-2015) on the island of Gozo, are based on rainwater harvesting.
The energy and climate challenge
The region is also characterized by its high consumption of fossil fuels. This petro-dependence is notably linked to the island's large - and often dilapidated - fleet of cars (608 cars per 1,000 inhabitants), making the archipelago one of the most motorized countries in Europe, with the corollary of noise and air pollution. The all-motorized way of life, even for short distances, leads to high levels of fine-particle pollution. These carbon-based energies also emit greenhouse gases. Alternative solutions have emerged in the region, such as self-service hybrid vehicle systems, with battery charging facilities in public spaces, and self-service electric scooters. However, soft mobility (cycling, walking) is still underdeveloped. On the energy front, incentives have been introduced to encourage the installation of solar panels (solar thermal). However, all these measures are insufficient in view of the climate challenges. A report published in 2018 by Climate Action Network Europe singled out Malta as one of Europe's worst performers in the fight against global warming.
Efforts to be pursued in pollution prevention
One of the most pressing - and visible - environmental issues in the Maltese archipelago is waste management. The omnipresence of garbage, including in water and natural environments, will shock many a visitor... The country is trying to keep up with European regulations and has introduced selective collection of certain types of waste (glass, plastic, cardboard and bio-waste). However, much remains to be done, particularly in terms of raising awareness (reduction at source and sorting). A number of associations organize beach clean-ups. The archipelago has also been criticized by the European Union for the pesticide content of certain fruits and vegetables. Pollutant-laden surface water contributes to the pollution of groundwater and the sea. While the country remains one of Europe's biggest users of pesticides per hectare, it is worth noting that Malta was the first European country, in 2016, to ban glyphosate. Initiatives in agro-ecology and agro-forestry are developing, such as Bahrija Oasis, a permaculture farm that organizes tours.
The tourism challenge
Malta is part of the SETnet network (Ciudades del sur de Europa frente a la turistización), which aims in particular to protect local resources from the harmful effects of mass tourism. Since 2016, the country has also introduced a tourist tax, including an environmental contribution. There are also programs aimed at creating the conditions for more sustainable tourism. We can only advise travelers to adopt a sober attitude to the use of resources.
