Malta has been ranked as the worst-performing EU country for greenhouse gas emissions growth over the past decade, according to new figures published by Eurostat.The report found that Malta’s emissions increased by an estimated 169.4% between 2015 and 2025, making it one of only four EU countries to register an increase during that period.By comparison, emissions rose by 10.7% in Cyprus, 9.5% in Lithuania and 5.4% in Romania, while the remaining 23 member states all recorded reductions.At face value, the figures paint a worrying picture. However, there is an important caveat.According to a report published earlier this year by the Central Bank of Malta, the Eurostat data includes emissions generated by Malta-registered aircraft, many of which do not actually operate in Malta.The country’s aircraft registry has expanded significantly in recent years, leading to a sharp increase in emissions being attributed to Malta under Eurostat’s methodology. In fact, only 4.38% of flights carried out by Malta-registered aircraft take place within Maltese airspace.This differs from the methodology used by the United Nations, which only counts emissions generated within Malta’s territory. Using that measure, the Central Bank argued that Malta’s greenhouse gas emission intensity is actually at a historically low level and has been declining.Eurostat acknowledged the distinction in its latest report, noting that its methodology attributes international transport emissions to the country where aircraft are registered rather than where the emissions physically occur.What should Malta’s biggest environmental priority be right now?•