The European Union's incorporation of the Barcelona convention for the protection of the Mediterranean sea against pollution, 1976 in its environmental acquis : a maltese perspective

Abstract

For many years, the environment has been neglected in striving for economic development, resulting in many serious deleterious consequences. Protecting the environment against pollution is therefore today recognised to be fundamental if a satisfactory quality of life is to be maintained. The European Union appreciates the importance of the environment and has, accordingly, in 1972, launched a succession of Community Environmental Action Programmes aimed at reducing pollution and nuisances. The Community has since adopted over 200 pieces of legislation concerning the protection of the environment, and is also a signatory to a number of international and regional treaties. Furthermore, EU level environmental standards provide fundamental reference points for applicant countries, including Malta, as they plan for accession. Originally, due to the lack of interest in environmental protection, the treaties establishing the European Communities did not contain any references to the environment. Environmental protection became Community policy shortly after the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment held in Stockholm in 1972.