Climate change has emerged as one of the defining challenges of the 21st century. From rising temperatures to extreme weather events, its effects are no longer distant possibilities but immediate, pressing realities. Navigating this evolving landscape can often feel overwhelming. Recognizing the need for deeper dialogue and clearer foresight, EY Malta, in collaboration with The Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry and the Climate Action Authority, hosted an event on Tuesday, 29th April, titled ‘CHANGE: Envisioning Malta’s Four Climate Futures’. Held at The Malta Chamber in Valletta and moderated by Rachel Attard Bondi from The Malta Chamber, the event offered an eye-opening and thought-provoking journey through the potential climate futures of Malta.

The event was opened by The Malta Chamber President William Spiteri Bailey, explaining how the business community feels the need to play its part in Malta’s climate adaptation challenge. He stated that the green transition should not be about ticking boxes, dishing taxes, or greenwashing. “It is about making alternatives possible (fuels and technology), for a practical, affordable transition,” he stated.  The event continued with a statement from Ing. Abigail Cutajar, CEO of the newly set up Climate Action Authority, emphasising the importance of three key qualities for successful climate action: courage, conviction, and cooperation. She invited all stakeholders to engage actively and work together towards a common goal, stressing that only through collective effort can Malta secure a resilient climate future.

This was followed by an opening statement by Chris Meilak, partner at EY, who laid the groundwork for the discussions to follow. He acknowledged the growing global uncertainty around climate priorities, stressed the importance of futures studies as a tool for navigating an unpredictable landscape, and emphasized the need for scenario thinking to prepare for multiple possible outcomes.

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Providing critical context, Dr Jeanelle Arpa from EY delivered a technical presentation unpacking the complex factors driving climate change. The session detailed key trends and vulnerabilities, and the scientific projections that framed the day’s Futures-building exercise. This analytical backdrop offered attendees a foundation to understand the choices and trade-offs Malta may face over the coming decades.

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Bringing the realities closer to home, video compilations featuring Maltese residents from different sectors and walks of life shared first-hand accounts of how climate change is already reshaping their work and our lives. From shifts in weather patterns affecting agriculture, to the impacts of rising sea levels on coastal communities, to emerging health challenges linked to environmental changes, the stories painted a vivid and urgent picture of a nation already feeling the strain of a changing climate.

The heart of the event was the presentation of Malta’s Four Climate Futures, developed through EY Malta’s detailed scenario analysis and disruption mapping techniques. Drawing on the framework created by futurist Jim Dator, the four scenarios — Business as Usual (BAU), Collapse, Constrain, and Transform — were tailored specifically to Malta’s unique circumstances. The analysis incorporated local trends, historic events, and global weather patterns to provide compelling visions of what Malta’s future could look like in 30 years, focusing particularly on adaptation.

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To bring these futures to life, the presentation included a wide array of imagery, including AI-generated visuals, designed to immerse attendees in the atmosphere, challenges, and opportunities of each possible future. Participants were invited to step into these contrasting realities, reflecting not only on the risks, but also on the pathways to resilience and innovation that could emerge. The scenarios were intended to provoke strategic thinking across public, private, and civil society sectors, encouraging deeper engagement with the urgent choices that lie ahead.

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The event concluded with a fireside chat featuring Margaret Cassar, Chief Policy and Strategy Officer from the Climate Action Authority, taking the audience through the role of the Authority, its pillars for action, and how its remit also includes top-down and bottom-up stakeholder involvement and consultations. 

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As the event drew to a close, one thing was clear: while the future remains uncertain, the actions taken today will define Malta’s trajectory in the face of climate change. The Malta Chamber, together with EY Malta and other stakeholders, reaffirmed its commitment to continuing this critical conversation, supporting organisations and policymakers in building adaptive, forward-looking strategies.