Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1545828
The following are excerpts from the interview. The full interview can be found on maltatoday.com.mt as well as our Facebook and Spotify pages. PHOTOS: JAMES BIANCHI / MALTA TODAY 7 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 12 JULY 2026 INTERVIEW COVID-19 triggered an immedi- ate global response, but climate change has not generated the same urgency. Why? Climate change has been happening for years and the international community has recognised this, but there is not the same sense of urgency as there was with COVID-19 because climate change is incremental and takes place over time. The world literally stopped during lockdowns, sending the message that immediate action was required. But there is now a growing realisation that climate change is already impacting us. Climate change is increasingly linked to health impacts, includ- ing deaths during heatwaves. How aware are we of this? The direct link between climate change and deaths is becoming increasingly alarming. I was in London during the heatwave and, while attending a climate action conference, the country came to a halt for several hours. Schools closed and railways stopped. In Paris there was a surge in deaths among vulnerable groups, such as the elderly. Malta is no exception. Health is one of the central topics in the adaptation plan we are drafting. Climate change can also trigger new disease vectors, such as mosquitoes moving from tropical areas to places like Malta. We are also seeing new marine species, such as puffer fish and jellyfish, entering our waters. It affects the ecosystems that sustain agriculture, food production and fisheries. This is changing our way of life. The Climate Action Authority was established less than two years ago after the declaration of a climate emergency. What has it achieved? There was a reason behind the name Climate Action Authority. Our focus is on action. People want reassurance and a plan that supports them. We have introduced regulations transposing EU legislation to regulate sectors such as maritime and aviation, which contribute to emissions, and encourage them to reduce their impact. But we must recognise Malta's reality as an island state that depends heavily on air travel. It is crucial to listen to the private sector because it makes no sense to achieve climate neutrality while losing competitiveness and economic strength. We need to find the right balance. We have also been entrusted with increasing charging points for electric vehicles and with a push to install solar photovoltaic (PV) systems on public buildings. Malta is experiencing economic growth, but also more buildings, cars, residents and tourists. Can this continue while reducing emis- sions? International studies show that economic growth can be decoupled from increasing emissions. Globally, since 1990, the economy has grown significantly while emissions have grown at a slower rate. There are countries whose economies are expanding while reducing emissions. Malta is one of these countries. Between 2005 and 2025, our economy grew by 200%, while emissions still decreased despite increases in population, traffic and energy demand. We need to continue investing in sustainable infrastructure. Between 2005 and 2024 we reduced emissions by 24%, and by 2030 we plan to reduce them by 40%. But this depends on implementing and sticking to the targets of Malta's National Energy and Climate Plan. Malta reduced emissions after shifting from heavy fuel oil to nat- ural gas. But gas remains a fossil fuel. Should it only be seen as a transitional fuel? The important thing is that we diversified our energy mix. We did not stop at moving from oil to gas. We developed the first interconnector, a second one is being developed, and we are investing in battery storage facilities. However, most electricity import- ed through the interconnector still comes from fossil fuel sources and only around a tenth comes from renewables. Does this mean the interconnector still has a carbon footprint? We buy this electricity from the energy market, which operates through daily trading. As a country, we do not have an agreement determining where imported electricity originates from, so we are susceptible to what the market dictates. That is why we cannot rely solely on the interconnector. We also have a commitment to increase renewable energy to 25% of our energy mix by 2030. Will the hydrogen-ready gas pipe- line not risk anchoring Malta in a fossil fuel economy? We are talking about green hydrogen, which can only be produced using renewable sources of energy. At European level, we are obliged to use only green hydrogen; otherwise, this would not have been allowed. Do you envisage a future where Malta stops using fossil fuels? In the long term, the country would not have committed to climate neutrality by 2050 if this was not the case. At present, the priority is to have a diversified energy mix. Technology is the real game changer, particularly with the development of offshore renewable energy... How much importance is climate change given in urban planning? The update to the Strategic Plan for the Environment and Development must extensively include climate adaptation. If we do not do this, we risk major problems, including insurance risks for buildings affected by climate change. If you build without considering climate adaptation, you are taking a major risk. Planning must also address the heat island effect in densely populated areas lacking vegetation and shading, while national infrastructure must be adapted to increased flooding risks. What about the carbon footprint of construction materials? Every brick used in construction has a carbon footprint because greenhouse gas emissions are generated during production... This is why we need initiatives promoting greener buildings based on sustainability. Proposed measures such as refunding planning fees for green and sustainable buildings are important and should be implemented. Tourism has reached four million visitors. Are we assessing its cli- mate impact? Tourists tend to be more carefree. For example, when abroad, people may take longer showers simply because they have more time and fewer household responsibilities. Fortunately, some hotels are considering this issue. Some are bottling their own water through reverse osmosis systems, reducing plastic bottle consumption and waste. The tourism authority is also proactive through green certification and eco-labelling. But we have to do much more because while it is important that tourists leave more money in the country, this should not come at an environmental cost. Malta is committed to carbon neutrality by 2050. How do you ensure progress continues beyond electoral cycles? One of our teams focuses on collecting data and monitoring progress. It is our task to follow annually how the country is performing against emissions targets and whether Malta remains on track. What studies are being carried out to identify the areas most exposed to climate change? We are working on Malta's adaptation and resilience plan, which is awaiting clearance from other government entities. It identifies 10 sectors, including public health and infrastructure, where preparation for extreme weather events is crucial. It will also show the scale of financial investment required. If we do not think ahead, we will pay a much bigger price tomorrow. There are two choices—ignore the future and focus only on the short term, which means higher costs in the coming years, and here we are not talking about 50 years but the next 5 years, or act now. We are talking about basic measures such as climate-proof infrastructure to address flooding risks, while protecting agriculture and the ecosystems that sustain us.