Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1534195
8 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 9 APRIL 2025 NEWS FOUR new categories have been added to the 2025 edition of the ERA Awards, a ceremony held under the patronage of President Myriam Spiteri Debono, to cele- brate individuals driving mean- ingful environmental change. This was announced during a visit to ERA by the President together with the Minister for the Environment Miriam Dalli and Permanent Secretary Joseph Caruana, who were also given a tour of the premises and met with officers from the various de- partments within the Authority. ERA CEO Kevin Mercieca pro- vided an overview of the work of the Authority, outlining its growth over the past years, both in terms of numbers and chal- lenges that it has addressed. Mercieca said that ERA is fo- cused on ensuring that develop- ment and sustainability go hand in hand. "Whether we're carrying out environmental assessments, pro- cessing environmental permits, monitoring compliance, or en- forcing regulations to protect our natural resources," he said. Spiteri Debono commended ERA for its steadfast dedication to confront the challenges posed by environmental protection, es- pecially considering the growing population, and the increased development, construction, and infrastructure. She thanked ERA staff for their dedication and work. "What you do is not just a duty, it's a legacy – a legacy of environ- mental stewardship of benefit not only for the present but also fu- ture generations.' She announced the addition of the four new categories to the ERA Awards, previously known as the 'Buonamico Awards'. These new categories will form part of the ERA Awards cere- mony taking place later this year, and will complement the existing Buonamico and Special Recogni- tion Awards, which celebrate en- vironmental activism. "Over the past few years, we've made some important changes. ERA has streamlined permitting processes, expanded protected areas, and increased inspections; all to safeguard our natural herit- age," Dalli said. "A practical example is the transformation of Spencer Gar- den. Once an underused space, it's now a vibrant green area that our community can enjoy. In 2024, we planted over 30,000 trees and shrubs across Malta as we keep moving towards green- er urban landscape. Our work is built on a simple but important principle; that the environment belongs to all of us. The environ- ment is a Government responsi- bility but also a responsibility that requires input from businesses, NGOs, and local communities. That's why the ERA Awards are being broadened with four new categories; to recognise all those who are doing their part," Minis- ter Dr Miriam Dalli stated. ERA Chairman, Perit Vincent Cassar, said that these awards shine a spotlight on the excep- tional contributions of those who are determinedly working to pro- tect and preserve our natural re- sources. "Through their dedication, in- novation, and relentless pursuit of a greener future, together we continue to make progress in our mission to safeguard Malta's en- vironment," he said. The newly introduced award categories ensue a rebranding ex- ercise undertaken for last year's Awards, which reflects ERA's commitment to elevating the ERA Awards into a prominent and prestigious annual event that emphasises the importance of environmental stewardship in to- day's world. The new categories are: • The Corporate Award for Environmental Innovation and sustainability – This award rec- ognizes private companies that have implemented innovative in- itiatives contributing to environ- mental sustainability, supporting Malta's national environmental objectives such as air quality, waste management, and biodi- versity. • The Environmental Steward- ship Award for Voluntary Organ- isations – This category honours projects led by voluntary organi- zations that serve as stewards of sustainability, through effective community outreach and envi- ronmental engagement. • The Green Public Leadership Award – This award recognizes public entities that set an exam- ple by implementing green prac- tices, including waste reduction and sustainable mobility initia- tives. • The Green School Scheme – Aimed at educational insti- tutions, this scheme provides funding for projects that instil a culture of sustainability among students, particularly through nature-based eco-projects that foster hands-on environmental learning. More information on the Awards, together with instruc- tions on how nominations are to be submitted, is available on https://era.org.mt/era-awards/ The nomination period is cur- rently open until 8 June 2025. Four new categories in ERA Awards announced President Myriam Spiteri Debono announced the addition of the new categories LIFESTAR Holding Group, a Maltese insurance company, has made its debut in Italy and is ex- panding its insurance services through an innovative life pro- tection product. Listed on the Malta Stock Ex- change and chaired by Pao- lo Catalfamo, LifeStar has also struck a commercial distribution agreement with Cassa di Rispar- mio di San Marino, the Repub- lic's largest bank with 40,000 customers, offering two life pro- tection products. First rolled out in September 2024, the Master Broker Bright Life, a life insurance product that allows clients to tailor the differ- ent levels of protection to their needs, is already proving to be popular in Italy; a testament to the growing demand for life in- surance products. LifeStar believes profession- alism and transparency are the guiding principles for expansion in Italy in the coming years, and is looking to offer a range of inno- vative and customised products to Italian customers. Prof. Catalfamo said: "We are thrilled to have entered the Ital- ian market. In a context of a progressively longer average life expectancy, our aim is to offer targeted solutions to guarantee security and peace of mind to our clients… Attracting and develop- ing talent also plays an important part in the sustainable and con- tinuous growth of the Group, which has a young and dynamic team." For Prof. Catalfamo, an Italian based in Malta and adjunct pro- fessor at the Villanova School of Business in Philadelphia, return- ing to Italy, while continuing to expand the business in Malta, is an exciting homecoming. "We are very happy with the progress in Malta and our team in Malta, which provides us with a solid foundation to expand be- yond these shores," he added. With this new expansion, the LifeStar Group confirms its am- bition to become a key player in the Italian insurance sector and beyond, offering innovative and customised products to meet consumers' needs for financial protection and security. With a solid international ex- pertise in the economic-financial field, Prof Catalfamo Catalfamo held the position of vice presi- dent and managing director for Italy and southern Europe at Franklin Templeton, one of the largest asset management groups in the world, between 1994 and 2000. At the top of LifeStar Holding Group's strategic objectives is the maintenance of the highest standards of corporate govern- ance, as well as the continuous improvement of operational ef- ficiency through the use of new technologies and AI solutions to enhance customer experience. The policies distributed in Italy are reinsured with SCOR, one of the largest operators in the world with a Standard & Poor's A+ rat- ing. LifeStar Group makes debut in Italy Paolo Catalfamo