The MSA emphasises that energy transitions are not solely technical or economic processes, but also deeply social ones. Such transitions affect everyday life, communities, employment, inequalities, land use, governance, and quality of life, often generating both intended and unintended social consequences.
In this regard, the MSA strongly recommends the mainstreaming of Social Impact Assessment (SIA) throughout the formulation, implementation, monitoring, and review of this policy process, in line with previous MSA public consultation submissions.
As defined by the International Association for Impact Assessment, SIA involves analysing, monitoring, and managing the social consequences of policies, programmes, plans, and projects. The MSA believes that SIA should be embedded as an ongoing, participatory, interdisciplinary, and transparent process within Malta’s energy transition strategy.
The MSA therefore recommends:
* the integration of SIA from the earliest stages of policy and infrastructure planning;
* meaningful stakeholder and community participation throughout the process;
* assessment of impacts on households, workers, vulnerable groups, and local communities;
* ongoing monitoring of social indicators such as wellbeing, inequality, affordability, public health, and quality of life;
* greater recognition of the relationship between environmental, economic, and social sustainability.
The MSA believes that socially informed and evidence-based policymaking is essential for a just, democratic, and sustainable energy transition in Malta.
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