Skip to main content
School of Society and Environment – Department of Geography and Environmental Science
  1. School of Society and Environment – Department of Geography and Environmental Science
  2. News
  3. 2024
  4. Items

Exploring Sustainability in the Mediterranean: GEG4015 Students Visit Malta and Gozo

First-year students investigate SDG implementation through hands-on learning in Gozo and Valletta.

 

 

Published:

Students explore visit experimental farms on Gozo to explore sustainable approaches to agriculture.

First-year students from the Geography, Environmental Science, and Global Development programmes recently returned from an immersive field trip to the Maltese archipelago, as part of their compulsory module GEG4015 Sustainable Transitions. The trip offered a unique opportunity to explore the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in small island contexts.

Held in early November, the four-day visit was designed to encourage critical and relational thinking about sustainability. Led by academic staff including Dr Kavita Datta, Dr Nina Ramesh, and Dr Elizabeth Storer, the trip focused on how island geographies shape environmental, social, and economic transitions.

Students engaged directly with key SDGs including:

  • SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation – through water quality sampling in Gozo.
  • SDG 14: Life Below Water – via exploration of salt pans and fishing practices.
  • SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being – through discussions on planetary and island health.
  • SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – during urban ethnographic explorations in Valletta.

The itinerary included visits to several organisations and sites central to Malta’s sustainability efforts:

  • Gozo Regional Development Authority, where Mario Borg (CEO) delivered an introductory lecture on Gozo’s approach to the SDGs.
  • Friends of the Earth Malta, where students learned about environmental campaigns including air pollution and community health.
  • Gozo Citadel and Floriana Gardens, offering insights into heritage, urban space, and environmental planning.
  • Experimental farms and local food systems, highlighting issues of food security and sustainable agriculture.

Students had a fantastic time engaging with local communities, exploring Malta’s unique landscapes, and reflecting on the complexities of sustainability in island settings. Their reflections and experiences will feed into assessed group presentations, focusing on Malta’s implementation of the SDGs and the broader implications for sustainable development in small island states.

 

 

Back to top