Cruise liners, superyachts, and other large ships are causing serious environmental, social and health problems in the Mediterranean Sea. These vessels often burn heavy fuel oil (HFO) and other highly polluting fuels, causing air pollution, contributing to the climate crisis, and affecting the health of local communities. The SOS Project tackles these environmental and social impacts of Malta’s booming maritime industry.
Climate, energy & mobility
Why do we need climate action?
Climate change is here, now! The climate crisis is now universally recognised as the biggest threat that our planet faces, with overarching impacts on ecosystems, biodiversity, and human societies. Over 10 years ago, Friends of the Earth Malta was actively campaigning for a Climate Bill in Malta. This goal was achieved via the adoption of the Climate Action Act, in 2015! The Act transposes the legally binding commitments that Malta has as an EU Member State under the 2015 Paris Agreement. Sadly, since that successful win, we have not seen the ambitious climate policy that we were hoping for.
As Friends of the Earth Malta, we believe we need bold and ambitious climate policy to reduce our carbon emissions and ensure we live within the planetary boundaries. Malta may be small but was actually the country that first tabled the issue of climate change at the United Nations in 1988. Friends of the Earth Malta is pushing the Maltese government to live up to that legacy and ensure a future for our country and planet, our only home.
We are seeking to influence the government to stop investment in fossil fuels, including new fossil fuel infrastructure, and to commit to a solid renewable energy plan, as well as promote energy efficient practices among the various local industries. This will allow Malta to meet international emission targets, and ensure a healthier planet that is also liveable for future generations.
Read more about our campaign areas:
Climate report: Towards a fossil free Malta
Over 10 years ago, Friends of the Earth (FoE) Malta was actively campaigning for a Climate Bill in Malta, as part of the campaign ‘The Big Ask’. In this European campaign, FoE groups in 16 Member States were calling on their governments to create climate change laws. In Malta, this goal was achieved via the adoption of the Climate Action Act, in 2015! The Act transposes the legally binding commitments that Malta has as an EU Member State under the 2015 Paris Agreement. Sadly, since that successful win, we have not seen the ambitious climate policy that we were hoping for.
As part of our climate campaign, we have been working on a report compiling information about Malta’s energy system and its climate impacts, the proposed Melita TransGas pipeline, and a vision for a future without fossil fuels. The report was compiled and written by Dr Suzanne Maas (Climate Campaign Coordinator at FoE Malta) alongside contributors Prof. Edward Mallia, Prof. Luciano Mule’Stagno, Dr John Paul Cauchi and Dr Michael Borg.
Download the full report and learn more about energy in Malta below!
A vision for a just new world
illustrations by Ed Dingli
(click)
Climate publications
News
Restructuring Solidarity: Update from the ‘Transformative Organising with Frontline Communities’ Training
From November 17th to 24th, Friends of the Earth Malta joined a group of 40 activists, advocates and organisers from around the world who gathered to attend a dynamic training on the practice of Transformative Organising, set in the idyllic mountainscapes of Lleida Catalunya, Spain.
What are the challenges of micromobility?
What are the challenges that micromobility users face? To learn more about micromobility visit www.foemalta.org/projects/micromobi
Prioritize Public Transport, Not Private Car Subsidies!
Government’s secret decision to shift European Union funds from electrification of public buses to private cars has not been communicated with or approved by the European Commission. Environmental NGOs Friends of the Earth Malta, Moviment Graffitti and Rota encourage people to speak up and sign the parliamentary petition to demand a democratic discussion on this proposed shift of public funding from public to private transport.
EU Competitiveness Compass must safeguard social and environmental protections
Friends of the Earth Malta is among over 270 civil society organisations, trade unions, consumer groups, farmers organisations, civil rights groups and environmental organisations representing millions of citizens, who call on European Commission’s President Ursula von der Leyen to shun deregulation and prioritise the protection of people, nature, and democracy in its decision-making processes. This warning comes ahead of the announcement of the EU Competitiveness Compass, which is supposed to guide the EU's efforts in enhancing its "economic competitiveness".
Updates from the CALM-EY project
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).
A Festive Bike Repair Cafe at University of 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.
Malta’s high rise in greenhouse gas emissions: What does this mean for the green transition and how can we do better?
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.
Feedback on ‘Reshaping our Mobility’ proposals by NGOs Friends of the Earth Malta, Moviment Graffitti and Rota
The ‘Reshaping our Mobility’ initiative has only one objective, which is to implement a series of proposals aimed to alleviate traffic congestion. There is a total lack of vision, and hence the objective is extremely limited. The vision should be for mobility justice, ensuring that
everyone, including the vulnerable, have just access to mobility.
Sharing inspiring visions of a Fossil Free future for Malta through art, stories and music
Friends of the Earth Malta has brought together hopeful visions for Malta’s future in the creative zine ‘Imagining a Fossil Free Malta’, to share inspiration for a fossil free future for Malta.
Empowering Youth to Contribute to Their Communities through Social Permaculture
Monday 16 September marked the start of European Mobility Week (EMW) – the European Commission’s yearly awareness-raising campaign on sustainable urban mobility. However, we observed complete radio silence from our government, when the urgency to promote sustainable mobility in Malta has never been greater.
COP29: Opening Pandora’s Box for people and the planet
“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.”