Updated 1215
PM Abela Says Malta’s Gas and Aviation Fuel Supplies Secure Despite Global Crisis: Prime Minister Robert Abela said Malta will not face shortages of power plant gas or aviation fuel despite global supply fears linked to the Middle East conflict. Speaking on TVM, he said government planning and months of preparations had secured continued supply and price stability, despite Malta’s current LNG deal expiring in August. Abela said geopolitical impacts could last months or years, but Malta was prepared. He added that the country is planning long-term fuel storage and is already considering a third electricity interconnector, while the second is due by year-end. (Times of Malta)
Malta Chamber Welcomes New Tourism Rules as Step Towards Quality and Sustainability: The Malta Chamber of Commerce on Friday welcomed the Tourism Accommodation Regulations 2026 as a positive first step to improve visitor experiences and better balance tourism with residents’ quality of life. It praised the merger of four separate laws into one framework and welcomed new licensing criteria that assess added value, visitor quality, and sustainability goals. The Chamber also backed clearer accommodation categories and mandatory eco-certification for collective lodging. It noted tighter controls on hotel height extensions and called for an updated Strategic Plan for the Environment and Development. Stronger enforcement and clearer rules for short-term rentals were also welcomed. (The Malta Independent)
ADPD and Momentum Strike Election Pact Ahead of Expected Poll: ADPD – The Green Party and Momentum on Friday announced an agreement to cooperate in the upcoming general election amid growing speculation that a poll could be called soon. Both parties said they will retain their separate identities while working together on shared policies. They agreed to coordinate which candidates contest each district to improve their chances of winning seats. Voters will also be urged to use Malta’s transferable vote system strategically by giving first preference to their preferred party candidate and subsequent preferences to candidates from both parties. The parties said the pact is aimed at maximising electoral success under Malta’s district-based system. (Newsbook)
Morning Briefing
Malta emissions falling, not rising, Central Bank report says
Malta’s greenhouse gas emissions are falling rather than rising, according to a new report by the Central Bank of Malta, which says recent EU figures may be misleading due to how emissions are calculated. The report, authored by chief officer Aaron Grech, says there is “significant confusion” about Malta’s progress towards climate targets because different international datasets use different methods. It argues that Eurostat data shows an increase in emissions intensity, but this is largely driven by emissions linked to Malta-registered aircraft operating outside the country. By contrast, United Nations data, which focuses only on emissions produced within national territory, shows Malta’s emission intensity at a “historically low” level. The report says Malta’s aircraft registry has grown rapidly in recent years, which has inflated aviation emissions in EU statistics. It estimates that only a small share of those emissions actually relate to activity in Maltese airspace. Grech concludes that Malta’s climate progress is being misinterpreted due to statistical differences rather than actual environmental performance. (Times of Malta)
Changes in social and affordable housing schemes announced
The government has announced a series of changes to Malta’s social and affordable housing schemes, aimed at helping more families and young people cope with rising property prices. Three updated schemes were unveiled, including higher payments for private landlords who lease properties to the Housing Authority for social housing use. The programme, which already covers around 1,400 properties, is expected to expand by a further 500 homes and will require an additional €5.2 million a year. A second measure increases rent subsidies for eligible tenants, including separated people aged 55 and over. Annual support will rise to a maximum of €6,000, with income thresholds also raised to widen eligibility. A third scheme, equity sharing, will help younger buyers and separated individuals who struggle to enter the property market. The age limit for young applicants has been lowered to 25, while eligible property values have been increased to reflect higher market prices. The government said the package will support more than 900 households, with around €6.5 million allocated annually. (Maltatoday)
Government warned over possible energy supply gap as LNG deal expires
The Nationalist Party has warned that Malta could face uncertainty over its energy supply after a key liquefied natural gas contract expires in August. Shadow energy minister Mark Anthony Sammut said the government has failed to secure a replacement agreement in time, raising concerns about how Malta’s power stations will continue to be fuelled. He said the current arrangement between Enemalta and Electrogas, which has supplied gas for nearly a decade, ended on 13 August, meaning responsibility now shifts fully to the government to secure new supplies. Although Energy Minister Miriam Dalli said earlier this year that negotiations were ongoing, the PN said no firm guarantee has yet been given on where Malta will source its gas. The party warned that the issue is not about price, but about supply security itself. It accused the government of leaving energy planning too late, raising fears of possible disruption if a new agreement is not reached soon. (The Malta Independent)
