Standing at the bustling Republic Street in Valletta, you can’t help but notice the stark contrast between the government’s grand environmental promises and the reality of our island’s air quality. As cars and buses rumble past, the scent of exhaust fumes lingers, a grim reminder that our environmental challenges are far from being addressed.

Robert Abela, Malta’s Prime Minister, has been vocal about his commitment to the environment. He’s pledged to make Malta a carbon-neutral country by 2050 and to plant a million trees. Yet, his words seem to be at odds with his administration’s actions. Let’s look the discrepancies that have left many Maltese questioning the government’s sincerity.

In 2020, Abela declared that Malta would ban the registration of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030. It was a bold statement, one that resonated with environmental advocates. However, a year later, the government backtracked, pushing the deadline to 2040. The reason? ‘Economic considerations,’ according to the Prime Minister.

But is this shift in policy really about economics, or is it a sign of the government’s lack of commitment to environmental goals? After all, neighboring Italy has already committed to a 2035 ban on new petrol and diesel car registrations, with no significant economic downturn in sight.

Abela’s million-tree pledge was welcomed with enthusiasm. Yet, it’s hard to celebrate when the government continues to approve developments that lead to deforestation. Take the controversial development in Għar Lapsi, for instance. Despite protests and environmental concerns, the government gave the green light to a project that will see the loss of around 2,000 trees.

How can we take the government’s tree-planting promises seriously when they’re simultaneously approving projects that destroy our existing forests? It’s like trying to fill a bathtub with a tap in one hand and a plug hole in the other.

Malta’s waste management crisis is well-documented. Yet, the government’s response has been lackluster at best. Despite Abela’s promises to tackle the issue, Malta continues to struggle with waste disposal, with the controversial Magħtab incinerator project still on the table.

the government has been criticized for its handling of the recycling process. According to the Malta Union of Teachers, only 2% of waste collected from schools is actually recycled. If the government can’t get recycling right in schools, what hope do we have for the rest of the country?

The government’s environmental record under Abela is a tale of missed opportunities and broken promises. It’s time for action, not just words. It’s time to stand up for our environment, not just talk about it. Because while Abela might be happy to make grand statements in Valletta’s grand squares, the rest of us are left choking on the fumes of inaction.

As Maltese environmental activist Aaron Zammit puts it, “We need more than promises. We need concrete action. We need to see the government walking the walk, not just talking the talk.”