Twelve environmental and health organisations from Malta are asking the national government to take the lead in promoting sustainable eating. They call for a national action plan to accelerate the transition toward plant-based diets

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.” In the call, they propose the creation of a Plant-Based Food Strategy, developed through a panel of experts, farmers, food industry representatives, and civil society. The strategy would set measurable national targets, allocate funding, and coordinate policies that both grow demand and expand supply.

The call moreover proposes establishment of a Plant-Based Food Grant, inspired by Denmark’s successful model. Managed by a multistakeholder board, the fund would provide support to initiatives that:

• stimulate demand for plantbased foods

• expand local production and innovation, and

• strengthen collaboration across the sector.

By investing in this transition now, Malta can cut healthcare costs, strengthen food security, support biodiversity, and capture economic opportunities in a fast-growing global market. Organisations highlight that by doing nothing, Malta risks falling behind both its environmental and public health commitments.