Climate ambition and the realities of Member States
Malta part of a group of countries that are insisting on safeguards in the maritime and aviation sectors
Malta is part of a group of countries that want the revision of the ETS (Emission Trading System) to protect Europe’s competitiveness.
Minister Miriam Dalli joined other European Ministers at the where the proposed revision of the ETS was discussed.
Minister Dalli expressed Malta’s support for a strong and effective European system as a key tool to reduce emissions and achieve the European Union’s common climate goals. However, she argued that the revised framework should remain predictable, while ensuring that all Member States have a practical and realistic path towards decarbonisation.
The Minister stressed that maritime transport and aviation are essential for Malta as a small country, as they support connectivity, the supply of essential goods and the functioning of the economy. She therefore called for these realities to be adequately reflected in the revised framework, while cautioning that climate measures should not undermine the competitiveness of countries that rely heavily on these sectors.
“We want the EU ETS Scheme to lead to real reductions in emissions and give each Member State the means to contribute, while taking into account our different national circumstances,” said Minister Dalli.
Malta is also working with a group of Member States that share the same principle: that the environmental integrity of the ETS should remain protected, while avoiding negative impacts on economic competitiveness.
Among Malta’s priorities are protecting connectivity and security of supply, addressing what is called carbon leakage, i.e. the diversion of traffic in the maritime and aviation sectors to third countries without any climate benefit, and providing flexibility and support so that the transition is fair and effective.
Minister Dalli stressed that the fight against climate change and the protection of economic competitiveness must go hand in hand, while European climate policies reflect the different circumstances of the Member States.
Photos (MEER)
