Adopting the European Union environmental acquis with respect to waste management : lessons of policy-making in Malta

Abstract

In May 2004, Malta became a member state of the European Union. Inter alia, this binds Malta to adopt, implement and enforce the EU solid waste management legislation. Still, today, two years following accession, Malta is experiencing problems in this respect. This thesis studies the process of the transposition and initial implementation of solid waste management legislation, identifying the major factors leading to the shortfalls. This dissertation has drawn on valuable scholarly literature on the national and EU policy-making processes, and on the concept of 'Europeanisation'. Leading reports and official documents compiled in the course of the accession negotiations were reviewed, backed by personal interviews with several key individuals who shared their experiences on this process. Daily and weekly newspapers were reviewed and assessed so as to form a view of current popular attitudes towards this issue. This study concludes that this process is proceeding slowly and incorrectly due to Malta's mindset, lack of expertise and resources, the absence of appropriate administrative capacity and most importantly, due to cultural resistance towards EU solid waste management policies and practices. Government must invest in educational campaigns, effective consultation, and on adopting policy instruments that would create effective incentives for citizens to comply with the legislation. Still, the crude reality is that EU waste management acquis fosters 'a one size fits all' approach, and hence it is only through national commitment that Malta can develop an effective and suitable solution to this problem.