The Maltese Islands
Malta and Gozo form part of the Maltese archipelago which has a land area of 316 sq. km. A current estimated population of over 500,000 and a population density of 1,867 persons per square kilometre make this one of the most densely populated countries in the world. The economic growth experienced by Malta in recent years has led to an increase in the number of people settling on the Islands. This is in addition to the consistent increase in the number of tourists, when the number of inbound tourists in 2019 was close to 2.6 million. These factors translate to a number of challenges, not least to the current infrastructure and transport systems.
The Authority for Transport in Malta is the Government body responsible for the regulatory aspect of land, sea, and air transport in Malta. It falls under the Ministry for Transport, Infrastructure and Capital Projects. The Authority was established through CAP. 499. and has been operative since January 2010. It was built upon three different legacy organisations: the Malta Maritime Authority, the Transport Authority, and the Civil Aviation Department.
The initiatives and projects managed and undertaken by the Authority can be viewed at: https://www.transport.gov.mt/strategies-1999
National Transport Strategy and Transport Master Plan
The National Transport Strategy and the Transport Master Plan provide a vision of where Malta wants to be in the long term and the strategic direction required to get there. Besides being a requirement for Malta to be able to access EU structural and innovation funds, this exercise was the first fully comprehensive holistic look at all transport modes, as well as the inter-modality that will clearly become the future for both freight and passenger transport. The Transport Master Plan 2025 is currently being developed and this has come at a time when Malta is experiencing robust economic growth and record employment levels, with the demand for transportation steadily expanding. This Plan is a catalyst to ensure that Malta takes the necessary coordinated steps in proper transportation planning, identifying the right policy mix of measures and ensuring that economic progress and infrastructure development move steadily, while managing the effects of transport on the environment, public health, and climate change. Fundamentally, it is about improving the quality of life of our citizens. Related documents can be found by clicking these links:
National Transport Strategy:
Transport Master Plan, 2025:
National Energy and Climate Plan
Emissions from energy industries account for 28% of Malta's total emissions. Whereas energy industry emissions dropped by 63% between 2005 and 2019, emissions in the transport sector grew by 22% over the same period.
Malta's NECP outlines policies and measures to increase the share of renewable energy and reduce transport emissions. However, it was reported at the time of publishing that Malta does not expect to meet its emission reduction targets under the Effort-sharing Regulation domestically, but intends to make use of flexibilities, including the transfer of annual emission allocations from other Member States.
https://ec.europa.eu/energy/sites/ener/files/documents/mt_final_necp_main_en.pdf
The Green Deal
The European Green Deal strives to make Europe the first climate-neutral continent. Applying its 2030 Climate Target Plan, the EU is set to raise its ambition for reducing greenhouse gas emissions to at least 55% below 1990 levels by 2030, placing it well on track towards its 2050 goals.
Malta has already taken various policy decisions to embark on this transformation, with the aim being to reduce emissions by 19% below the 2005 amount in line with the Effort Sharing Regulation. These are outlined in a number of documents and strategies: the 2019 National Policy Framework for the deployment of Alternative Fuels 2018-2030, the Sustainable Development Vision, and the Low Carbon Development Strategy.
National Policy Framework for the deployment of Alternative Fuels 2018-2030 (NPF)
This is a national plan adopted by Malta in line with Directive 2014/94/EU for the deployment of the market as regarding alternative fuels in the transport sector and the deployment of the relevant infrastructure.
- Grants for Fast Charging Infrastructure and increase of EV Uptake
- Measure to increase public transport patronage
- Electromobility Plan
- ITS
- Cycling Routes
- Transport Hubs
Malta’s Sustainable Development Vision for 2050
The Government aspires to:
- Support Economic Development by:
• reducing congestion and the removal of traffic bottlenecks;
• improving reliability and efficiency to allow for better journey planning;
• strengthening transport links and connectivity nationally (within and between the Islands) and internationally, to increase access to markets;
• reducing operational costs and improving seamless interconnectivity; and
• improving the experience and ease of access for non-regular users with a view to contribute towards supporting the tourism product.
- Promote Environmental and Urban Sustainability by:
• reducing and mitigating GHG emissions;
• ensuring efficient and sustainable use and management of resources;
• ensuring adaptation to climate change;
• minimising the impact of transport to enhance landscapes and townscapes;
• preserving natural habitats and biodiversity; and
• respecting historical and heritage resources.
- Improve Public Health through:
• a clean and pleasant public realm;
• active lifestyles; and
• reduced pollution (air, noise, and light).
Malta’s Low Carbon Development Strategy
- Set sector specific GHG emission reduction targets post 2020 to contribute to meeting reduction commitments made at national level.
- Identify and implement opportunities to enhance climate resilience in Malta.
National Policy Framework for the deployment of Alternative Fuels 2018-2030 (NPF)
This is a national plan adopted by Malta in line with Directive 2014/94/EU for the deployment of the market as regarding alternative fuels in the transport sector and the deployment of the relevant infrastructure. The measures include increasing public transport patronage, ITS, Cycling Routes, and Transport Hubs.
Sustainable Development Vision for 2050
Some of the measures include supporting economic development by strengthening transport links and connectivity nationally and internationally to increase access to markets, promoting environmental and urban sustainability by minimising the impact of transport to enhance landscapes and townscapes and supporting social development and inclusion by ensuring that travel and journey quality are suitable for all user groups.
Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP) for Malta
The plan includes addressing the decarbonisation of transport through an awareness-raising campaign to encourage use of collective and multimodal transport, the regeneration of public squares and community spaces, and creating more open and car free spaces across the Maltese islands.
Contact:
Ms Laura Sue Mallia
Director Risk Management, Policy and EU Affairs Department
The Authority for Transport in Malta
Email: laura-sue.mallia@transport.gov.mt
Telephone: 25554565