PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
The Government of Malta has recently taken several important initiatives aimed at environmental protection and conservation. Nonetheless, there remains a need for detailed information about the environment, as well as expertise that would make it possible to elaborate a coherent national action plan aimed at ensuring sustainable development. Assistance in these areas is particularly important following Malta's application for full membership of the European Community, to enable Malta to approximate the environment laws of the EC. OBJECTIVES: Environmental auditing will be twofold: · an internal audit of the Malta Government · a State of the Environment report for Malta. On the basis of these audits, a National Environment Plan will be drawn up. The Plan is intended to prioritise environmental problems, resource allocation, and practical actions. The relationship of Malta to the Mediterranean Action Plan will also be taken into account. The Environmental Action Plan will establish a work programme for the new Department for the Protection of the Environment, and will serve as an action programme for environmental conservation and rehabilitation, while ensuring compliance with EC Directives and goals.