A survey by the European Investment Bank (EIB) reveals that Maltese citizens see climate change as the second-most pressing challenge facing their country, following the cost of living.

The survey, which included 24,000 participants across the EU and the United States, found that 99% of Maltese respondents recognised the urgent need for climate adaptation—five percentage points higher than the EU average.

Additionally, 77% viewed adaptation as a priority, significantly outpacing the EU average of 50%.

A notable 97% believed investing in climate adaptation could create jobs and boost the local economy, while the same percentage agreed that taking action now would prevent greater costs in the future.

Maltese respondents also stood out for their personal experiences with climate impacts. Almost all (99%) reported experiencing at least one extreme weather event in the last five years, such as heatwaves, coastal flooding, or heavy storms.

Over half had dealt with extreme heat, while others faced issues like power outages, health problems, and food supply disruptions.

The survey also found that 84% of Maltese citizens felt they might need to move due to climate vulnerabilities, compared to just 35% across the EU.

Despite these challenges, 91% of respondents felt informed about how to adapt their lifestyles, with most aware of available public subsidies for adaptation measures.

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