Have we learnt any lessons from Malta's full-scale participation at COP29? The topic hardly touched our media and it seems that for the general public emissions control is a thing that does not concern us.
A recent survey by the Central Bank of Malta seems to confirm the laissez-faire attitude. This survey found that a high rate of 64% of SME firms believe the local labour force is not adequately equipped to support the transition to carbon neutrality, with only 16% expressing confidence in its readiness.
This sentiment was consistent across different industrial and service sectors as well as emissions' intensity levels, indicating that businesses face an uphill struggle in developing a green attitude towards emission control. Our nonchalant attitude towards hiring 24 used diesel generators to buttress Enemalta's struggling electricity supply speaks volumes about emissions.
Another indicator, which adds more carcinogenic car fumes, results from the recent importation of diesel for public transport buses. The lame excuse for this choice was that charging facilities for more electric buses are inadequate. It is surprising how while 43% of firms reported having no employees in green roles, 18% stated that up to 5% of their workforce is engaged in such positions.
Despite some progress, many firms are hesitant to expand their green workforce. While 70% anticipate the need for green job recruitment, most expect this growth to be modest, with just 7% expecting significant increases while nearly 20% foresee no changes at all, citing skill shortages and financial constraints as key obstacles.
Yet, barring any negative sentiment expected on the topic by the president elect in the US, following COP29, there's a bigger focus on climate change and how our impact on the environment can be reduced. In the automotive world, this means reducing carbon emissions and prioritising electrification, which is why we're seeing a far greater number of electric vehicles released with each passing month.
What is seen as the EVs biggest rival is the hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle. This alternative could play a massive part in the future, however in Europe, it hasn't taken off due to the high costs of the cars that feature a fuel cell drivetrain and the lack of infrastructure.
One of the big benefits of a hydrogen car is its by-product of only water, while a full fill-up of hydrogen only takes slightly longer than that for a petrol or diesel car. The powertrain consists of an electric motor and a fuel cell. Hydrogen is combined with air and fed into the fuel cell, where an electrochemical reaction generates electricity, heat and water vapour.
Car companies, such as Toyota and BMW, are undertaking the development of the internal combustion engine that we all know, but fuelling it with one of the most abundant elements in the universe - hydrogen. You can find information about fuel efficiency in EVs, including mild hybrids or full plug-in hybrids like Hyundai models and the compact SUV Mini Countryman. The trophy goes to Norway, where 98% of electricity comes from renewable source, it is one of the top performers on both measures.
Driving an EV in Norway cuts fuel costs by about 83% and emissions by 98% compared with driving a petrol car. For the average Norwegian driver that translates to an annual saving of €1,500 and they are proud to have the highest share of EVs in the world: in 2023 83% of new cars were electric, well above the European average of 15%. High electricity prices - elevated since Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine - mean that EV drivers in Britain, Belgium, Italy, Ireland and Germany saved less than 50% per mile, based on residential energy prices in 2023. Petro-states such as Uzbekistan, where less than 10% of energy consumption comes from renewables, have much lower carbon savings (9%). Understandably, drivers in western Europe have the least to gain financially. Running costs are not the only factor when choosing between an EV and a conventional car.
The EVs on average cost about €7,000 more to buy than petrol-powered equivalents and building them produces 60% more CO2, because of the materials needed for their batteries. Excluding government incentives, drivers on average would need to drive their EV nearly 80,000 miles, which would take the average driver about six years, before seeing financial savings from an EV.
Malta Transport Minister Chris Bonett said the government has a policy to decarbonise public transport and was providing incentives for private companies to invest in electric vehicles. Green is the way we have to go as an economy he pontificated adding that we hope that companies will take the example of a private coach company and invest in more electric buses, decarbonising and making fresher air for everyone.
Ironically, last April, the Malta Transport company invested in 30 used diesel public buses, stating that while this decision meets immediate needs, the company remains committed to a sustainable path toward zero emissions.
In summary, it is encouraging to observe how, Malta Bus Reborn, designed by London and Malta-based architecture firm Mizzi Studio, is a finalist in the New European Bauhaus (NEB) Prizes 2024. The innovative design for a new electric fleet of buses for Malta was unveiled locally in 2019 with the hope of igniting a renewed sense of national pride through a contemporary, eco-friendly reimagining of the iconic Maltese buses.
One expects more innovations in EV cars and buses once the government electricity supply will continue to stabilise in anticipation of the second interconnector coming on stream.
George M. Mangion is a senior partner at PKF Malta.
gmm@pkfmalta.com