The EU's role in helping small states deal with environmental challenges

Abstract

The aim of this dissertation is to discuss the role of the European Union in facilitating the management of environmental challenges within small member states, with a main focus on Malta. The need for this stems from a general lack of understanding of what these challenges are and the added difficulties they impose for small states, as well as uncertainty on the effectiveness of the European Union’s efforts in supporting small states. This work takes into account previous related literature, including studies related to the environmental challenges of and characteristics of small states. The research methods involved were exploratory, mainly comprising semi-structured interviews and questionnaires with 9 professionals in the environmental sector, who provided insights and first-hand information from their own perspective by virtue of their expertise and experience. While there were mixed views among participants, several agreed that small states face additional difficulties in meeting their environmental challenges when compared to larger states. Reasons identified included the lack of economies of scale, the inappropriateness of certain targets for small states, the lack of resources, managing challenges with a lower capacity, and the population density. Participants also pointed out several additional costs for small states including the importation of foreign knowledge and the installation of pro-environment systems due to lack of competition. The presence of hidden costs were also brought to attention, such as the dealing of health problems as an indirect cause of environmental issues and the control of alien species in an ecosystem. It was generally felt that the EU has helped small states meet these challenges, mainly through funding and training opportunities. However, it was also argued that there is scope for further support, with suggestions including better tailoring of funding criteria to the specificities of small states, increasing technical and financial support, expanding collaboration with states outside the European Union, increased cooperation between environmental authorities, and even a change in culture. Thus, while the main source of these changes is the European Union, improvements carried out by the member states themselves are also suggested.