Malta is once again at the top of the list of a troubling trend: the fastest rise in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions within the European Union. According to Eurostat, Malta’s GHG emissions surged by 8.8% from the first quarter of 2023 to the first quarter of 2024.  The EU carbon emissions reduction target is -55% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels. Malta’s target is already a minor contribution to that: -19% by 2030 compared to 2005 levels. The recent news about Malta’s rising GHG emissions begs the question: how on earth does the government envision we reach that target in the coming 5 years? 

Climate campaign coordinator at Friends of the Earth Malta, Dr Suzanne Maas, explained that “Malta continues to rely heavily on fossil fuels, with only around 13% of our energy coming from renewable sources, one of the lowest shares in the EU”. The two main sectors responsible for energy demand in Malta – and associated emissions – are transport and buildings. The transport sector is responsible for 55% of energy demand and continues to grow, with an ever increasing number of vehicles on the road and high car dependence exacerbating the problem, while measures to promote active and public transport are not being prioritised. The same goes for buildings, responsible for 45% of the total energy demand, with increasing tourist numbers and importation of labour feeding the building and construction industry, while energy efficiency measures and sustainable building practices to improve the energy performance of buildings are lacking.  

Malta’s rise in greenhouse gas emissions must act as a wake-up call. While the government is congratulating itself on setting up a novel Climate Action Authority, we continue seeing inaction on climate change. A cross-sectoral authority on climate change is an excellent idea – but only if it has real power and the political will backing it, and has the mandate to assess and advise on proposed projects on the basis of their climate impacts. Clearly, proposed projects such as the Msida flyover, the Gozo airport and the Melita Gas Pipeline are fundamentally incompatible with real climate action.

Our economic model, based on short-term economic growth, puts increased strain on infrastructure, limited water and other resources, and is increasing greenhouse gas emissions when we should be focusing on cutting them. We desperately need a new economic vision for Malta: one which prioritises quality of life for people and safeguarding of our environment and natural resources, ensuring a liveable future for Malta.