Malta is the only EU Member State that, instead of reducing, has increased the intensity of its greenhouse gas emissions since 2013, the PN said Monday. In fact, Malta has increased its emissions intensity by 17%, while the average emissions intensity across all EU Member States has decreased by 34%.

Figures published in recent days by Eurostat - the European Union agency responsible for collecting and publishing official statistics on European countries - show that while Malta is the only country to have recorded an increase in emissions intensity rather than a reduction, other countries are achieving impressive results in the fight against air pollution. These include Estonia, which reduced emissions by 64%, Ireland by 50%, and Finland by 44%.

Greenhouse gas emissions intensity measures the amount of emissions (measured in CO₂ equivalents) generated per unit of gross value added (measured in euro) in an economy. It is an indicator of the climate efficiency of economic production. A decrease in emissions intensity means fewer emissions for the same level of value added generated.

This increase is therefore even more concerning when one considers that these statistics also take into account the economic value generated in the country concerned, and not emissions alone. In simple terms, it is not merely that we are polluting more because the economy has grown, but that today, for every euro generated in our economy, we are polluting more than we were in 2013.

This situation is the direct result of a lack of ambition on the part of the Maltese Government on several fronts. Among these is the clear lack of serious ambition to significantly increase the use of renewable energy. Here too, Malta is trailing far behind other countries. In 2024, Malta generated just 10.7% of its energy from renewable sources, while the European average stands at just over 25%. In this regard, Malta ranks near the bottom of the European table, third from last.

The Labour Government continues to show total apathy towards innovative solutions and keeps dragging its feet on problems that people face on a daily basis, such as long hours spent stuck in traffic, the PN said.

The government also seems to fail to understand that its apathy in the field of renewable energy is not only having a negative impact on our environment. The EU is continuing to strengthen its carbon regulations in order to meet its climate targets for 2030 and 2050. This means that the Maltese Government's failure on renewable energy will translate into a less competitive economy compared to the rest of Europe. Ultimately, the burden of this failure will be borne by Maltese and Gozitan families and businesses.

While calling on the Government to roll up its sleeves and take serious action in the fields of renewable energy and emissions reduction, the Partit Nazzjonalista remains committed to acting in defence of both the environment and the country's economy. It does so because it recognises that Malta and Gozo cannot afford to continue on this path.

The PN said it firmly believes that with political will and courage, our country does not have to remain among the worst performers in Europe in statistics such as these. Instead of leaving behind a country burdened with problems, we can leave a legacy of the best possible quality of life for today's Maltese and Gozitans and for future generations.