Natioinalist MEP David Casa has welcomed the approvale by the European Commision of Malta's Social Climate Plan, unlocking a total investment of €60.6 million between 2026 and 2032 to support vulnerable households, transport users and small businesses through the climate transition.
The plan will receive €45.4 million in EU financing from the Social Climate Fund, which was negotiated by PN Head of Delegation MEP David Casa, one of the European Parliament's lead negotiators on the legislation, working alongside Dutch EPP MEP Esther de Lange, who jointly steered the negotiations through Parliament, a statement by the EPP said Thursday.
"This is an important milestone for Malta and the concrete result of years of work to ensure that climate policy improves people's lives rather than placing new burdens on those who can least afford them," Casa said.
"The Social Climate Fund was designed as the social safety valve of Europe's climate transition. Its purpose is clear: to reduce energy bills, tackle energy and transport poverty, and help vulnerable families and small businesses move away from expensive fossil fuels."
Malta's plan includes energy-efficiency improvements and renewable-energy installations in public social housing, including roof insulation, photovoltaic panels, battery storage and heat-pump water heaters. It will also provide door-to-door community transport for more than 30,000 vulnerable users and support vulnerable micro-enterprises switching to electric vehicles and charging infrastructure.
Casa recalled that the final Social Climate Fund agreement secured a substantially larger allocation for Malta than had originally been envisaged.
"When we negotiated this legislation, I fought for Malta's share to be increased significantly. Today, more than €60 million is being mobilised for Maltese and Gozitan citizens as a result," Casa said.
"The investments now approved reflect what we set out to achieve: more renewable energy, better-insulated homes, cleaner transport and long-term savings for citizens."
Casa stressed that the approval of the plan must now be followed by timely and transparent implementation.
"Approval cannot be the end of the process. The government must ensure that these funds reach the people who need them without unnecessary delay. Implementation must be transparent, properly targeted and subject to rigorous oversight," Casa said.
"The green transition will only succeed when it is also a socially just transition. Nobody should be left behind, and Malta must now turn this opportunity into lower costs, better services and improved living conditions for thousands of families."