The Malta Sociological Association has submitted its feedback to this public consultation by the European Commission. To read MSA's comments, click here.
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Thursday 12 September 2024
Public Consultation: Malta’s Update to the National Energy and Climate Plan 2021-2030
Malta Sociological Association feedback to this public consultation:
The Malta Sociological Association welcomes the public consultation on the "Malta’s Update to the National Energy and Climate Plan 2021-2030".
It notes that Malta’s final NECP update will present two scenarios 'With Existing Measures (WEM)' and 'With Planned Measures (WPM)' and that "[e]ach proposed measure will be/is being analysed from two key aspects: its investment needs and its abatement potential, allowing for the analysis of economic impacts and benefits of reducing GHG emissions along with the respective economic investment costs and operational cost/savings compared to a baseline. The lower the cost/benefit ratio, the more cost-effective the measure will be."
The MSA recommends that the analysis also include an assessment of the social impacts and benefits. This would go beyond 'social acceptability' and 'quality of life' as measured by linear quantitative metrics, but would take a more comprehensive approach which considers a wider range of potential impacts, both positive and negative, in line with the International Principles for Social Impact Assessment. Indeed, the International Association for Impact Assessment defines SIA as being “the processes of analysing, monitoring and managing the intended and unintended social consequences, both positive and negative, of planned interventions (policies, programs, plans, projects) and any social change processes invoked by those interventions”. An SIA is an interdisciplinary process, and should employ various methods, both quantitative and qualitative. Social impact assessments should not be one-off exercises, but ongoing processes which engage with various stakeholders and which report back so as to ensure effective policy processes.
The MSA hence recommends a social impact assessment in line with the International Principles for Social Impact Assessment as part of the update to Malta's National Energy and Climate Plan 2021-2030.
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Tuesday 10 September 2024
Budget 2025 proposals - Malta Sociological Association
The Malta Sociological Association is proposing that Malta’s national budget for 2025 allocates funds as well as incentives for the mainstreaming of Social Impact Assessments in Malta’s Public and Private Sectors. This is essential for policymaking that gives priority to sustainable development.
- Mainstreaming SIAs for Government Entities: To embed social responsibility within public sector operations, MSA is proposing the mainstreaming of SIAs across all government entities, including Ministries, regional, and local authorities. The 2025 budget should allocate adequate funding to ensure these bodies have the necessary resources to conduct comprehensive SIAs as part of their project planning and policy-making processes. Institutionalising SIAs will enable government entities to make well-informed decisions that proactively address social impacts, enhance community wellbeing, and help ensure that public initiatives are equitable and sustainable.
- In parallel, the MSA recommends the introduction of subsidies and tax relief for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to encourage the adoption of SIAs. SMEs are vital to local economies but often lack the financial capacity to thoroughly assess their social impacts. By providing targeted financial support, the government can empower SMEs to implement responsible practices, contribute positively to their communities, and align with national goals of sustainable development. This dual approach will promote social responsibility across both public and private sectors, thus help ensuring that economic growth is inclusive and beneficial to all.
The Malta Sociological Association would also like to encourage government to follow up on the public consultation on Social Impact Assessments which was launched by the Planning Authority in 2019. The following link refers: https://www.parlament.
The Malta Sociological Association also notes that the University of Malta has a Masters Degree in Social Impact Assessments, which is provided by the Department of Sociology within the Faculty of Arts. This means that the country will be benefitting from a broader range of qualified practitioners in the field. More details: https://www.um.edu.
N.B. Further documentation on Social Impact Assessments can be obtained from the following links:
https://www.iaia.org/uploads/
Saturday 31 August 2024
Wednesday 14 August 2024
Public Consultation: Proposed Amendments to the Cooperatives Societies Act
MSA Feedback to this public consultation (Proposed Amendments to the Cooperatives Societies Act):
The MSA recommends the incorporation of a social impact assessment. The International Principles for Social Impact Assessment defines SIA as being “the processes of analysing, monitoring and managing the intended and unintended social consequences, both positive and negative, of planned interventions (policies, programs, plans, projects) and any social change processes invoked by those interventions”. An SIA is an interdisciplinary process, and should employ various methods, both quantitative and qualitative. Social impact assessments should not be one-off exercises, but ongoing processes which engage with various stakeholders and which report back so as to ensure effective policy processes.
Public consultation - "Intent and Objectives: Guidelines for the Construction and Demolition Waste Framework Regulations" - MSA Feedback
MSA Feedback to this public consultation (Intent and Objectives: Guidelines for the Construction and Demolition Waste Framework Regulations, S.L.549.161):
The MSA recommends that the regulatory framework incorporates social impact assessments in line with the International Principles for Social Impact Assessment.
The International Association for Impact Assessment defines SIA as being “the processes of analysing, monitoring and managing the intended and unintended social consequences, both positive and negative, of planned interventions (policies, programs, plans, projects) and any social change processes invoked by those interventions”.
An SIA is an interdisciplinary process, and should employ various methods, both quantitative and qualitative. Social impact assessments should not be one-off exercises, but ongoing processes which engage with various stakeholders and which report back so as to ensure effective policy processes.
Wednesday 10 July 2024
EU Public Consultation: Common fisheries policy – Evaluation
The Malta Sociological Association (MSA) notes the consultation to assess the effectiveness and efficiency of the common fisheries policy (CFP). It welcomes the intention to conduct a thorough evaluation of the CFP's achievement of its objectives, ranging from sustainability of fisheries to the maintenance of a fair standard of living for fisheries and aquaculture communities.
The fisheries sector and related policies and management are characterised by various dimensions, such as the economic and the environmental dimension, as well as the social dimension. Any related policy (such as the CFP) is likely to generate impacts across these dimensions, and these should be given due consideration in the formulation, implementation and review of sustainable policy via impact assessments.
In this light, the MSA proposes the adoption of a Social Impact Assessment (SIA) that follows a comprehensive and scientific approach in conformity with the International Principles for Social Impact Assessment. The International Association for Impact Assessment defines SIA as being “the processes of analysing, monitoring and managing the intended and unintended social consequences, both positive and negative, of planned interventions (policies, programs, plans, projects) and any social change processes invoked by those interventions”. An SIA is an interdisciplinary process, and follows established social-scientific methods, both quantitative and qualitative. Social impact assessments should not be one-off exercises, but ongoing processes which engage with various stakeholders and which report back so as to ensure effective policy processes.
Link to MSA submission - click here
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