Climate change in Malta

Climate change may have a range of impacts in Malta. Increasing temperatures may change weather patterns, with the potential for increased heatwaves.[1]

Greenhouse gas emissions

Greenhouse gas emissions in Malta amount to 900,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent, which corresponds to 4.2 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent per person.[2]

Impacts of climate change

Drinking water supply

The drinking water of Malta supply would be significantly reduced partially due to climate change.[3]

Flooding

Transport infrastructure in Malta will be significantly impacted by climate change.[4]

Policies

Climate Action Act (2015)

Climate Action Act
  • To establish a framework for climate action.
Assented to2015-07-07
Status: Repealed

Through the Act, the government is required under Maltese law, to develop policies, programmes, and projects that address and support climate change mitigation, climate adaptation, and climate resilience.[5]

The Act consolidated Malta's climate change commitments for the first time.[5]

Climate Action Act (2024)

Climate Action Act
  • AN ACT to establish a legal framework for climate action and to provide for the establishment of a body corporate to be known as the Climate Action Authority and to provide for any matter which is related or ancillary thereto.
Assented to2024-10-04
Status: In force

The Act established a Climate Action Authority, designed to push Malta towards meeting its climate goals as a watchdog and regulator.[6]

The Act allows for penalties such as imprisonment of 4 years and up to €50,000 per day the offence continues to clearly breach legislation, with a maximum of €1,000,000.[6]

See also

References

  1. ^ Cummings, James (7 September 2024). "Climate change will hit Malta hard. Here is what we can do". Times of Malta. Retrieved 22 March 2025.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  2. ^ Borg, Neville (17 September 2024). "Why are Malta's greenhouse gas emissions rising?". Times of Malta. Archived from the original on 17 September 2024. Retrieved 22 March 2025.
  3. ^ Cutajar, Josef (6 April 2023). "Malta's drinking water supply is under threat. Climate change is to blame but not only". Euronews. Archived from the original on 7 April 2023. Retrieved 22 March 2025.
  4. ^ Attard, Maria (1 December 2015). "The Impact of Global Environmental Change on Transport in Malta". Xjenza Online (2): 141–152. doi:10.7423/XJENZA.2015.2.05. ISSN 1818-7269.
  5. ^ a b Galdies, Charles; Galdies, Clara (2024). "The impact of EU membership on Malta's climate action". 20 Years of EU Membership Conference.
  6. ^ a b Camilleri, Kyle Patrick (7 October 2024). "Climate Action Authority launched, as watchdog and regulator to push Malta towards climate goals". Archived from the original on 7 October 2024.