Church calls for climate planning as power cuts 'undermine human dignity'
Interdiocesan Commission says Malta cannot remain trapped in a cycle of recurring infrastructure failures and temporary fixes
The Church has called for “serious long-term planning” on climate adaption as a “national priority” amid ongoing power outages which it described as “undermining human dignity”.
In a statement on Friday, the Interdiocesan Commission for the Promotion of Integral Human Development expressed its “deep concern” over the widespread electricity disruptions, warning they are “endangering health and undermining human dignity”.
Commission president Mark Cachia said the situation “must be treated as a national priority”.
“Malta cannot afford to remain trapped in a cycle of recurring emergencies followed by temporary fixes,” Cachia said.
“While we recognise the tireless work of technical personnel restoring power, emergency repairs cannot become the country's long-term strategy. People have the right to reliable essential services and to the assurance that Malta's infrastructure is capable of meeting today's realities and tomorrow's challenges.”
According to the Commission, this crisis did not emerge overnight.
It pointed to population growth, rising energy demand, expanding economic activity, record tourism and increasingly frequent and intense heatwaves and below-average rainfall as pressures that have been evident for years.
What has been missing, it said, is planning that anticipates the current and future pressures rather than a response that only follows systems failure.
Earlier this week, Enemalta chairman Ryan Fava said the company had been taken by surprise by the “alarming” demand on the grid and record high temperatures.
Residents have been reporting they endured over 70 hours without electricity while Valletta experienced a blackout for 30 hours.
The Commission said that climate change is no longer a distant or theoretical concern as it is already reshaping life in Malta, straining infrastructure, threatening public health and exposing the country's vulnerability to extreme weather.
It called for a “serious national conversation” about climate resilience, energy security and Malta’s future Malta, saying this is a “turning point” for the island.
It said that conversation should bring together government, business, civil society, academia and technical experts to strengthen energy and water infrastructure, improve emergency preparedness, accelerate investment in renewable energy and innovation, expand the planting and protection of trees and other green infrastructure to reduce the urban heat island effect, develop effective contingency plans, and better protect vulnerable people during periods of extreme heat.
The Commission also said this conversation should address a broader question, whether Malta’s current economic model remains sustainable.
“The country needs the foresight, courage and political will to make the long-term decisions that will strengthen resilience and protect the common good,” the Commission said.
The Interdiocesan Commission for the Promotion of Integral Human Development was recently established by the Bishops of Malta and Gozo to promote the dignity of every human in matters relating to the economy and work, poverty and injustice, and the care of creation as our common home.