Our recent workshop, “The Way We Move,” held on March 27th at the FoEM Green Resource Center, sparked a lively...
Fossil Free Malta
What is our vision?
The burning of coal, oil, and gas, as well as other human practices such as intensive agriculture and deforestation contribute to the generation of excessive greenhouse gases that pollute the atmosphere and lead to climate change impacts across the globe. Not only is climate change posing significant environmental issues, but it is increasing social inequality within and between countries.
We need to move away from fossil fuels – oil, coal and gas – as soon as possible. New fossil fuel infrastructure is incompatible with global, EU, and national carbon emission reduction targets. The proposed Melita gas pipeline would lock Malta into a fossil fuel future. We need to ensure that any public investment is compatible with climate targets, and avoid funding any new fossil fuel infrastructure at all costs.
Our country should prepare for a climate proof future and move away from fossil fuels as fast as possible. We need to ensure there is a plan for a gas phase-out by 2035 latest. In the short term, we need a new Renewable Energy Policy, outlining the pathway to zero emissions and clean renewable energy for the Maltese Islands.
5 reasons to stop using gas as a fuel
Today, Malta’s energy demands are primarily met through the use of gas-fired turbines using liquefied natural gas (LNG), a polluting fossil fuel. It’s imported to Malta via marine carriers, which involves considerable energy for its transport and contributes to significant greenhouse gas emissions throughout its lifecycle.
Swipe the carousel to find out more about pitfalls of using gas:
A gas pipeline to Malta?
We need to move away from fossil fuels as soon as possible. New fossil fuel infrastructure is incompatible with global, EU, and national carbon emission reduction targets. This includes the proposed Melita gas pipeline, which would lock Malta into a fossil fuel future! We should invest in the energy of the future, not of the past!
Watch the video below to learn more about the proposed Melita gas pipeline, and why we should push for investment in renewables, energy savings and community energy instead.
5 Reasons Why Hydrogen Is Not a Green Fuel
Since the EU will not finance purely fossil fuel infrastructure any longer, the Melita TransGas Pipeline was rebranded as a ‘hydrogen-ready’ pipeline. However, experts state it is not that straightforward to make gas infrastructure suitable for hydrogen transport. It is a much smaller molecule and needs at least 3 times more energy to be transported through a pipeline, as well as posing greater risks for leakages. We need to ensure that hydrogen is not used as a veil to greenwash the fossil gas pipeline project.
While hydrogen may be presented as a type of ‘green’ energy, currently 99% of hydrogen is produced from fossil fuels. The main type of hydrogen available today, ‘grey’ hydrogen, is created via steam-reforming from gas or coal – yes, fossil fuels! ‘Blue’ hydrogen is based on the same process as ‘grey’, but includes carbon capture and storage (CCS) mechanisms to reduce carbon emissions, which have yet to be proven to work.
Swipe the carousel to find out why hydrogen is not a green fuel at all:
Climate publications
News
Call for Participation: Climate Care Camp
The summer camp “Compass for Climate Chaos” is happening from the 20th of June (evening) until the 24th of June (afternoon) in Teglværksvej 30, 4420 Regstrup, Denmark. From eco-anxiety, anger or grief to hope, joy and empowerment, the camp will be about learning to navigate in emotions you feel in the climate chaos.
EU Parliament votes to leave the climate-wrecking Energy Charter Treaty
Today, the European Parliament adopted the EU’s proposal to leave the controversial Energy Charter Treaty (ECT), an international trade agreement protecting fossil fuel investments. The Energy Charter Treaty is a significant obstacle to enacting national policies to combat climate change. After years of campaigning for an exit, Friends of the Earth Europe and climate justice activists across Europe celebrate this victory for the environment and the climate.
Wrapping up the adventures of our Bike About project
As the wheels of the Bike About project come to a gentle halt, it’s time to reflect on the journey...
DISPLACEMENT, A Collective Performance About Climate Migration
DISPLACEMENT MALTA is a site-specific version of Displacement realized for the opening of Malta Biennale of Art 2024.
Displacement MALTA is directed by the visual artist and choreographer Andrea Conte (Andreco) and the Studio Andreco with the support of Friend of the Earth Malta and the Malta Biennale.
Call for Participation: Climate Migration Performance
Friends of the Earth Malta is excited to collaborate with Andreco Studio and maltabiennale.art 2024 on DISPLACEMENT, a collective performative action directed by the visual artist and choreographer Andreco. The performance is dedicated to the consequences of water-related climate changes.
Micromobility revolution begins
The project is aimed to develop skills and raise awareness on the topic of micromobility, smallhuman or electric powered mobility devices suitable for short urban trips.
Why a new road to Smart City is a stupid proposal
Environmental NGO Friends of the Earth Malta strongly condemns plans for a new road through agricultural land, linking Zabbar to...
FoEM comment on the solar offshore energy project
Friends of the Earth Malta (FoEM) welcomes the news about the first potential floating solar farm, with the government issuing...
FoE MALTA SHOWS SOLIDARITY WITH MALTESE FARMERS’ PROTEST
Friends of the Earth Malta shows its solidarity with the farmers who are protesting en masse and making their way towards Valletta.