Times of Malta journalist Marc Galdes won the sustainability in journalism award as part of the first Sustainable Development Action Awards.

Galdes was recognised for his article highlighting the issue of slime emanating from an offshore fish farm. He filmed workers at a tuna farm off St Paul’s Bay using a net and bucket to try to contain sea slime before it drifted towards swimming areas along the coast.

The article led to an apology from the Federation of Maltese Aquaculture Producers who took responsibility for the slime.

Times of Malta fact-checker Neville Borg placed second in the awards with his fact-check on whether a controversial development to build a 22-apartment block on the doorstep of Ġgantija temples was outside a UNESCO buffer zone.

Following thorough research, he discovered that the project was within both the buffer zone and the area of archaeological importance which means that it has to be subjected to a heritage impact assessment.

The awards, organised by the Environment Ministry, recognised outstanding contributions to sustainability across Malta.

They celebrated a diverse group of changemakers including individuals, voluntary organisations, public entities, journalists, youths, schools, academics, and private businesses who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and innovation in advancing sustainable development.

The Director for the Sustainable Development, Francine Pace Caruana, commended the creativity and dedication shown by the participants.

“This ceremony is a testament of creativity. The winners show how practical solutions and original ideas can make a real difference and remind us that every action counts in building a sustainable future,” Pace Caruana said.

The other winners of the 2025 Sustainable Development Action Awards were: Professor Ruben Paul Borg for the Research and Innovation Award; NWAMI International Malta for the Community Impact Award; Erica Micallef Filletti for the Youth Leadership Award; HSBC Malta p.l.c. for the ESG Positive Impact Award; 1st Sliema Scout Group (Bernard’s Own) for the Environment Award; Agius de Soldanis, Rabat Middle School, Gozo College for the Sustainable School Award; and Circular Economy Malta for the Public Service Sustainability Award.