Malta's Sustainability Journey: A work in progress

Conviction, vision, and a readiness to take the lead—even if it means standing alone—are characteristics of Malta's sustainability path. Malta has continuously shown that commitment and goal clarity, rather than size, are what determine leadership in the global sustainability conversation, despite its small size and limited resources.

Malta's current sustainability story began in the latter half of the 20th century, particularly as a result of its strong participation in international climate diplomacy. Malta submitted Resolution 43/53, the first draft resolution on climate change, to the UN General Assembly in 1988. International awareness of climate change as a serious human concern was sparked by this momentous deed. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) was formed as a result of international talks, of which the declaration was a pillar (Desai, 2023; University of Malta — Protection of Global Climate 1989)

This formative position marked the start of a long-term commitment rather than a one-time act. In the decades that followed, Malta formalised its climate goals. Malta became the first EU member state to create an organisation solely focused on climate governance with the creation of the Climate Action Authority. In order to ensure compliance with both EU regulations and international frameworks, this Authority unified diverse regulatory strands, including energy policy, emissions monitoring, and environmental compliance (Climate Action Act [Act No. XV of 2024])

Malta has a multi-layered, forward-looking approach to climate policy. The 'Environment 2050' strategy, a set of policies intended to direct Malta's environmental course in the long run, lies at the heart of this. Env 2050 is a legally-anchored, fact-based document that incorporates climate neutrality, resource efficiency, biodiversity protection, and resilience; it is not just a wish list of green goals. It incorporates the difficulties of transforming Malta into a low-carbon, climate-resilient economy and establishes definite benchmarks (Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) (2022) National Strategy for the Environment 2050: Public Consultation Draft)

Malta's strategic investment in decarbonisation and sustainable mobility, although in its infancy, is especially significant. Road transport has historically been one of Malta's biggest sources of greenhouse gas emissions. The National Transport Strategy 2050, which closely resembles Env 2050, aims to reduce emissions from this sector. This includes pledges to invest in bike infrastructure, electrify the fleet of public transport, and encourage modal changes through behavioural modification (Sutton, 2018).

However, Malta's contributions go beyond frameworks for policies. Malta's idea for a "Guardian for Future Generations" has brought a compelling ethical dimension to the global climate discussion. The realisation that existing governance models frequently fall short of protecting long-term interests led to this endeavour. In order to establish an institutional mechanism to represent the unborn—a formal voice for those who will bear the consequences of today's decisions—Malta called for such a guardian at the UN. Surprisingly, Malta went beyond advocacy and became the first country to create a legally recognised Guardian for Future Generations, enshrining this notion domestically (Government of Malta (2012) Sustainable Development Act (Cap. 521), Article 8)

Youth participation and national education both represent this intergenerational equity philosophy. According to studies, young Maltese people have strong pro-environmental views and are becoming more conscious of their responsibility to protect the environment. In addition to being encouraging for governance in the future, this supports the state's initiatives to integrate sustainability into civic institutions and curricula (Gatt, 2017).

But there are still difficulties. Malta's climate policy has a strong framework, but scale, administrative ability, financial demands and conflicting policy agendas, frequently cause implementation to falter. Spatial planning is made more difficult by Malta's dense urban structure, for example, and policy trade-offs are presented by climate-vulnerable industries like building and tourism. According to a recent study, national adaptation strategies do not adequately address the connection between air pollution, heatwaves, and chronic disease. If this gap is not filled, it could jeopardise resilience targets (Moncada & Spiteri, 2022).Malta's steadfast dedication to ongoing development is what makes it unique. Malta has demonstrated a willingness to adjust, adapt, and take the lead as climate science advances and new issues arise. It acknowledges that sustainability is a dynamic process that calls for awareness, humility, and unity rather than a final endpoint.

All things considered, Malta's sustainability journey, despite its shortcomings, serves as an example of how moral leadership, strategic vision, and institutional innovation have the potential to enable a small state to have enormous influence. It serves as a reminder that bold policymaking and a clear vision can spur action beyond national boundaries. In a time of ecological uncertainty, Malta's example is both illuminating and incredibly inspiring.

Author: Dr Roberta Lepre