Malta is stepping up to encourage its community to combat climate change with diet change, backed by delicious, planet-conscious menu items at favourite restaurants. The Eat for Impact initiative aims to reduce Malta’s environmental footprint by creating greater access to plant-based foods, which provide a clear and measurable way to track environmental impact.

Malta’s Eat for Impact initiative has seven restaurants creating pro-climate dishes for the month of February, including Palazzo Castelletti, The Harbour Club, Ġenna ta’ L-Art, Heirloom Streatery, Vincent Eco Estate, Pink Garlic Malta, and The Flying Saucer. These local restaurants are each developing two or more plant-based specials (to be announced soon) to have on their menus all month long. At the end of the month, a comprehensive climate report will be published about their impact. This report will highlight the greenhouse gas savings from all participants, including restaurant sales, and any additional food-related efforts from partners like climate offices, community events, and local businesses. 

“We come in peace, and we come with plants. We joined the challenge because we want to keep this planet around a little longer (it’s the only one with good coffee). Our new dishes are 100% plant-based. It’s the tastiest way to Eat for Impact,” said Mat, owner of the Flying Saucer.

The Eat for Impact initiative is a locally-led campaign developed by Planted Society, which empowers cities to leverage the power of plant-based solutions to reverse environmental damage, conserve natural resources, and build healthier communities. In Malta, the initiative is being orchestrated by the environmental NGO Friends of the Earth Malta (FoEM), continuing its efforts to promote simple yet effective solutions to reduce the environmental footprint caused by major industries. This reflects FoEM’s vision to empower communities with locally-rooted solutions that uphold human dignity and harmony with nature. The Eat for Impact initiative will empower residents to learn about the strength of plant-based solutions to conserve natural resources.

“We’re incredibly proud of our partnering restaurants, proving that plant-based food can be nourishing, comforting, and exciting. What we choose to eat is a powerful lever for environmental and social change,” said Martin Galea, Director at Friends of the Earth Malta.

Since launching in 2022, Planted Society and global organisers have worked with more than 375 restaurants and have launched 19 different Eat for Impact initiatives. On average, each initiative saves an impressive 1.8 metric tonnes of greenhouse gasses and 2.2 million litre of water*, highlighting the substantial environmental impacts of plant-based choices. Further, partner restaurants report an impressive increase in sales during the campaign month; some past Eat for Impact initiatives have generated over €65,000 in sales from plant-based specials, directly benefiting the local economy. It’s estimated that each initiative reaches an average of 600,000 individuals, sparking conversations and driving awareness far and wide.

“Food choices shape the future of our environment and it’s inspiring to see so many local businesses raising their hands to help take action by participating in Eat for Impact. We are excited to see meaningful change – and delicious climate-friendly food – come from this locally-led initiative,” said Britty Mann, Executive Director of Planted Society.

Eat for Impact shows that small, daily choices – like what you eat – can create a positive impact, proving that people have the power to make a better future for themselves and the world as a whole. As data shows, animal agriculture increases greenhouse gas emissions, is the leading cause of deforestation, and strains the world’s natural resources – it consumes about half of the world’s habitable land and emits over 90 billion kilograms of methane into the atmosphere annually. The message is clear: Urgent action is needed to reform food choices and avert a climate crisis.