Participation by Gozitan publics in environment policy-making

Abstract

Globally the ongoing environmental degradation is leading to various negative impacts on the human well-being, biodiversity, all ecosystem services as well as global stability (European Environment Agency 2024, UN Environment Programme 2024). As a result, public participation in environmental policy-making can be part of the solution. Participation refers to the involvement of publics, citizens and other stakeholders in the policy cycle and in service design and delivery (OECD 2022). Public participation in environmental decision-making is observed by the parties to the UNECE Aarhaus Convention, which the Maltese archipelago (inclusive of Gozo) ratified in April 2002. The EU is also a party to this Convention hence, any Regulations, Directives or Decisions enacted by the EU that relate to this Convention also apply to Malta (ERA n.d.). Despite such context, locally no data exists which specifically examines the participation of Gozitan publics in environment policymaking. In order to better understand participation by Gozitan publics in environment policy-making, as well as identify the facilitators and barriers, this study used primary and secondary qualitative data collection methods (focus groups and semi-structured interviews, and feedback responses to environmental consultations). Primary data was analysed thematically, while secondary data was analysed quantitatively. Results show that participation in environment policy-making (decision-making) by Gozitan publics is minimal to non-existent. However, there are instances of successful participation by Gozitan publics. This context is further analysed by two participatory frameworks. Eventually participatory facilitators and barriers within this unique Gozo context are listed.