February started with one of our most beloved events – Ċine’Ambjent Environmental Film Festival. It was the second time we...
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
13 500 objections against “Comino village” proposal
Public floods planning authority with over 13 500 objections against monstrous “Comino village” development proposal Plans to create a complex...
Ċine’Ambjent the Environmental Film Festival is back
Friends of the Earth Malta condemns the illegal roadworks at the iconic Blue Lagoon in Comino. This has become a worrying trend
Save Bees & Farmers petition presented to EU parliament
Friends of the Earth Malta condemns the illegal roadworks at the iconic Blue Lagoon in Comino. This has become a worrying trend
Get Active – Bound Around: Education & Environmental Protection
Fgura scout troops and Qormi guides joined us to test out and give feedback on the Earthbound Hideout app The...
Prioritise people, not cars
Photos by Steve Zammit Lupi Prioritise people, not cars This morning, three organisations – Moviment Graffitti, Friends of the Earth...
Environmental NGOs respond to Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan for Valletta Region
Three local NGOs - Friends of the Earth Malta, Moviment Graffitti and Rota - have prepared a report on the Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan (SUMP) for the Valletta Region.
A fossil free future for the Maltese Islands, demands Friends of the Earth Malta
Friends of the Earth Malta publicly issued their demands for climate action and presented these to members of parliament upon arrival to their parliamentary session on Monday 14 November. Politicians, policy makers and the general public are asked to add their name to a growing list of signatories to demand a fossil free future for Malta. Join our call and add your voice!
Demand climate action now!
Friends of the Earth Malta demand a fossil free future for Malta! Join our call and add your voice!
Concerned citizens demand action from Transport Minister
The aim of the direct action was to address the island-wide issues experienced as a result of extreme car dependence: pollution, noise and road safety concerns.