The status quo is no longer an option

Over the past few years, Malta has experienced substantial growth in its economy. Whilst it is important to maintain our positive economic performance, we need to ensure that we are developing in a sustainable manner, giving due regard to social wellbeing, the protection of our environment and the management of natural resources within the constraints of nature.

This is not a challenge we alone are facing, but it is more pronounced in Malta due to our limited size and insular geography. The need to transition towards a circular economy is motivated not least out of concern that natural resources, such as land and stone, are finite and that we need to ensure that such assets remain in the economic cycle for the longest time possible. Although motivated by natural constraints, such a transition should not be seen as a barrier to growth. On the contrary, it should be seen as a catalyst for innovation, new business niches and more green jobs.

The construction sector in Malta represents one of the most important economic sectors. This sector has responded to evolving challenges brought about by new planning frameworks, new materials, as well as the need to accommodate more activity within the same footprint. Nonetheless, it has brought with it environmental challenges, not least with the increase in construction waste generated. The very recent past has shown us that there is limited space for its disposal. And it is here that this sector needs, once again, to reinvent itself in order to rise to the environmental challenge that it faces.

It is imperative to point out that a solution for such a challenge, for a small island state such as Malta, is no easy task. Given the country’s specificities, such a challenge is exacerbated by limited economies of scale and, in certain cases, market failure.

Nevertheless, against this background, the Government has been focusing its efforts to ensure that a transition from the traditional and linear economic model towards a more circular one happens even within the construction sector. The draft strategy on Construction and Demolition waste, for which a public consultation was launched, has just closed a couple of weeks ago.

This draft strategy focuses on the management of waste originating from construction, demolition and excavation operations. Needless to say, such a strategy also toes the line of the overarching EU Circular Economy policy, and identifies options for the management of waste arising from construction, demolition and excavation activities through both short-term and long-term measures. Complementing this strategy, we will also be pursuing greener public procurement which will see the need for an increased recycling content in the construction of certain roads and buildings.

The objectives of the strategy are to increase the re-use and recycling of waste generated from construction, demolition and excavation activities, and therefore reducing backfilling. Such a strategy aims also at achieving a cultural shift within the sector in terms of its attitude towards excavation, demolition and construction methods. Hence, it leads to good practice and fosters momentum towards a positive change.

I have presented this situation as being a challenge, however, we should be considering it to be an opportunity to manage construction and demolition waste in an efficient and effective manner. So far, we have relied on demolishing buildings outright and rebuilding with freshly quarried stone or brick equivalents. Many a time, this was due to a lack of appropriate recycling technologies, the absence of appropriate economic instruments and simple financial feasibility.

The status quo is no longer an option. Together with stakeholders, we have to chart a new course of action that will permit greener buildings to become the norm, especially through the increased use of recycled components. Our vision is one that recognises the need to internalise the cost of pollution and the true value of the resource so as to limit the artificial mismatch that exists between the cost of natural and recycled building products.

Together with my colleague, Minister for Economy Silvio Schembri, I attended a business breakfast organised by Malta Industrial Parks on reconstituted stone.

The use of reconstituted stone is the perfect example of initiatives towards an economic shift. It is an example of turning waste into a useful product.

Building blocks and other stone components are the bread and butter of the building trade. I am sure that, given the demand, our brick manufacturers can easily rise to the challenge of producing this kind of recycled resource. That is why we need to chart the road ahead together, placing the common good ahead of our own personal interests.

Green financial incentives need to become mainstream in the workings of government if we are to transition our traditional and lineal economy towards a more circular one. Through a feasibility study concluded last year, it has clearly transpired that the local financial market would need an additional impetus of public funding through greening incentives. In such circumstances, the Government is carefully analysing the ways in which we could achieve this level of ambition that is desired.

Bold political decisions are very much what is required in order to have the successful transition which we are aiming for.

We are committed to achieving such a success, and I believe there is strong commitment in order to achieve what is envisaged for our country.