As we kick off 2025, we looked back on an amazing year of growth and achievements. From sustainable mobility to community gardens and zero-waste projects, 2024 was full of exciting initiatives. FoEM continues to empower individuals, promote environmental sustainability, and build a hopeful future for Malta.
The EIB Climate Survey made the headlines earlier in November and it was quite a reality check (if anyone still needs one) with very worrying results showing that over 80% of Maltese fear they will be forced to move due to climate change while 99% recognise it is important for their country to adapt to these challenges. Climate anxiety is on the rise and many feel that not enough is being done. To address this rising trend Friends of the Earth Malta partnered up with environmental and mental health NGOs from Estonia, Germany and Denmark on the EU funded project CALM-EY: Coping with Climate Anxiety: Learning Methods for Mental Health for European Youth (2023-2025).
This year marks a remarkable milestone for Friends of the Earth Malta (FoEM) as we celebrate our 40th anniversary! We have been active in the Maltese environmental field since our foundation in 1985, under our initial name Żgħażagħ Għall-Ambjent (Youths for the Environment), evolving into Moviment Għall-Ambjent (Movement for the Environment) and in 1991 becoming Friends of the Earth Malta.
On Tuesday 3 December Friends of the Earth Malta together with the Institute for Climate Change and Sustainable Development and a bike mechanic from The Cyclist organised a Bike Repair Cafe on campus at the University of Malta.
Climate change is here. 2023 was the hottest year on record. A 2ºC rise compared to pre-industrialised levels holds a dangerous consequence for the environment and what has been proved to contribute to the increase of temperatures is the rise of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions which are produced by human activity. Therefore, it’s crucial and urgent for global warming to stay below a 2ºC increase. Friends of the Earth Malta, alongside other environmental NGOs, advocate for a 1.5ºC target, in line with the Paris Agreement.
“The supposed ‘COP of climate finance’ has turned into the ‘COP of false solutions. The terrible deal on finance destroys the notion of historical responsibility of the rich big polluting countries and pushes private debt creating finance. Global North countries are no longer obligated to provide finance to the Global South as enshrined in the Paris Agreement. COP29 also put a final nail in the coffin, opening the door to the global carbon market and the disastrous impacts for communities and ecosystems. We have seen the impacts of these schemes: land grabs, Indigenous Peoples rights and human rights violations and more.”
Friends of the Earth Malta is conducting a survey on behalf of PRO-COAST, a research project to gather your insights about your experience visiting the island of Comino!
“The supposed ‘COP of climate finance’ has turned into the ‘COP of false solutions. The terrible deal on finance destroys the notion of historical responsibility of the rich big polluting countries and pushes private debt creating finance. Global North countries are no longer obligated to provide finance to the Global South as enshrined in the Paris Agreement. COP29 also put a final nail in the coffin, opening the door to the global carbon market and the disastrous impacts for communities and ecosystems. We have seen the impacts of these schemes: land grabs, Indigenous Peoples rights and human rights violations and more.”
The key outcomes of the NASPLY Project: Youth Empowerment, Training and Resources, Community Impact, and Collaborative Success
European Week for Waste Reduction (EWWR) is a vital annual initiative aimed at promoting sustainable resource and waste management practices - Learn how Friends of the Earth Malta (FoEM) participated in this year's events!
