Morning Briefing
Malta at risk of missing 2030 emissions targets – EC Report
Malta is among nine EU member states at risk of missing their 2030 greenhouse gas emissions targets, according to a European Commission report published as the UN COP31 climate summit opened in Turkey. Austria, Germany, Ireland, Lithuania and Sweden are also projected to fall short, while Germany, Ireland and Malta face the largest anticipated gaps before the use of permitted flexibilities. The Commission will ask the nine countries to submit corrective action plans within three months, outlining measures and investments to accelerate emissions reductions. The report highlights Malta’s particularly weak performance, projecting that its emissions in 2030 will be higher than in 2005. Meanwhile, EU net greenhouse gas emissions fell by 1.6% last year, leaving them 39% below 1990 levels. The bloc aims to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. (Times of Malta)
MFAC urges Malta to move towards productivity-led economic growth
The Malta Fiscal Advisory Council (MFAC) has urged government to shift Malta’s economic growth model away from reliance on expanding the workforce, warning that the current approach could undermine medium-term public finance sustainability. In its assessment of the macroeconomic forecasts underpinning Budget 2027, the council called for greater emphasis on productivity-enhancing measures, high-quality capital investment and more efficient allocation of public resources. It recommended prioritising infrastructure investment to remove existing bottlenecks, developing workforce skills and encouraging greater adoption of technology. The watchdog noted that despite continued economic expansion, output per worker remained low, suggesting that employment growth had not translated into corresponding improvements in efficiency. The recommendations accompanied MFAC’s endorsement of the Finance Ministry’s projections, which forecast real GDP growth of 4.1% in 2026 and 3.8% in 2027, both within its acceptable forecasting range. (Maltatoday)
48-yea-old victim of boat tragedy identified as Keith Caruana
A 48-year-old man from Mellieħa has died after a boat ran aground on Sikka s-Safra, off Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq, on Sunday evening. The victim was identified as Keith Caruana, who was on a fishing trip with his 14-year-old son, Ben Caruana Rizzo, and another 44-year-old man from Bormla. Both survivors sustained injuries and were taken to Mater Dei Hospital. The teenager suffered serious injuries but was reported not to be in danger of losing his life. His mother has appealed to the public to pray for his recovery. The accident happened at around 7.15pm when the boat struck the reef. The impact was reportedly so strong that some of those on board were thrown onto the rocks. The third man’s identity has not been disclosed. (Newsbook)