Twelve environmental and health organisations from Malta and Gozo are asking the Government to take the lead in promoting sustainable eating.

Friends of the Earth Malta, Veggy Malta, Action for Breast Cancer Foundation, Physicians Association for Nutrition International, BirdLife Malta, Moviment Graffitti, Vuci Kulletiva, Din l-art Helwa, Sigar, Earth Systems Association, Kunsill Studenti Universitarji, and ACT have published the report “Malta Vision 2050: A Plant-Based Food Strategy,” with 12 proposals to enhance sustainable eating.

The organisations, in a joint statement, highlighted the fact that “transforming what we eat is one of the fastest and most effective ways to reduce emissions and protect ecosystems.”

They said that animal agriculture is responsible for nearly 60% of food-related greenhouse gas emissions globally, occupying 80% of farmland while providing less than 20% of calories. Plant-based foods, in contrast, deliver most of the world’s nutrition with a fraction of the environmental cost.

The organisations warned that Malta’s food system is “currently under severe strain due to rising temperatures, water scarcity, and global disruptions, while over 70% of food is imported. Shifting towards more plant-based diets can help Malta reduce its environmental footprint, improve nutrition, and strengthen food security.”

They explained that the Plant Based Strategy presents a practical plan to align Malta’s food system with climate, health, and economic priorities by proposing measures such as:

Implement a Healthier Defaults Policy: Making plant-based meals the default choice in public institutions (schools, hospitals, etc.) while giving the option to opt for meat/dairy.

Accessible Community Gardens: Funding and facilitating the creation of accessible food gardens and urban food forests on public land to boost local food security and community resilience.

Economic & Health Calculations: Commissioning an official calculation on the health and economic benefits of the population eating different diets to drive data-led policy change.

Plant-Based Food Grant: Establishing a dedicated fund to provide grants and training for local farmers to transition to growing plant-protein crops and organic produce.

The organisations noted that the plant-based food sector is one of Europe’s fastest-growing markets, expected to more than triple in value by 2033. “The Plant-Based Food Strategy” highlights this as a strategic opportunity for Malta to create high-quality green jobs, stimulate innovation, and position itself as a Mediterranean hub for sustainable food production. The strategy calls for a dedicated Plant-Based Food Grant to support initiatives that promote dietary change, boost local production, and foster collaboration across the sector.

“Dietary change is a win-win for people and the planet,” said Laura Pons, Food, Agriculture and Biodiversity Campaigner at FoEMalta. “By embracing plant-based foods, Malta can cut healthcare costs, build resilience, and show real leadership in sustainability and food justice.”

“This strategy brings together environmental, health, and social justice perspectives,” said Martin Galea De Giovanni, Director at FoEMalta. “It also reflects a growing public appetite for greener diets and fairer food systems. We hope it will inspire policymakers to act with the urgency this moment demands.”

The organisations are calling on the Government to “develop a National Plant-Based Food Strategy in collaboration with farmers, researchers, businesses, and civil society. Investing in this transition now will help Malta safeguard public health, protect biodiversity, and meet its environmental commitments while ensuring a fair and sustainable food future for all.”

Malta Vision 2050: A Plant-Based Food Strategy is available by clicking here.

File photo: Gozo News/Alain Salvary

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