The final agreement reached in Dubai for COP28 speaks, for the first time, about transitioning away from fossil fuels.
Minister for Environment, Energy, and Enterprise Miriam Dalli who was part of the negotiations on behalf of the European Union, stated that although this agreement is not the final solution to climate change, it signifies the first time all countries have agreed that dependence on fossil fuels must end.
“From the beginning, it became clear that it is not easy for all countries, with their different realities, to agree on the removal of fossil fuels,” Minister Dalli said. “There are countries that are still developing and others that are developed, using completely different energy sources. But from the very beginning, Malta, together with the other countries of the European Union and even the small states, always insisted that we could not exceed an increase of 1.5 degrees Celsius in temperatures.”
In the agreement reached in Dubai, countries are asked to begin transitioning away from fossil fuels to reach net-zero emissions by the year 2050. For an agreement to be reached, negotiations intensified in the last hours, with moments of fear that everything could fall apart.
“There are still more things that need to be addressed,” asserted Minister Miriam Dalli, “but I believe that the historic agreement reached at COP28 can continue to be strengthened in the future COPs. The fact that countries are agreeing that fossil fuels must end means that every country must start making the necessary changes in a short time.”
Regarding the adaptation file – on which Minister Miriam Dalli was negotiating together with Austrian Minister Leonore Gewessler, on behalf of the European Union – an agreement was reached to double the current aid to the least developed countries to adapt to climate change.
“This commitment sends a clear signal that there is an awareness that the most vulnerable countries cannot be left alone. Although this amount will certainly have to increase in the future, the signal being sent is strong, and we must continue to build on it,” said Minister Dalli.
The COP28 agreement is a significant milestone because it is the first time that a global goal for climate adaptation has been agreed upon. Among other things, this agreement includes a biennial program that considers progress in areas such as water scarcity, food production, health, ecosystems and biodiversity, infrastructure, poverty, and culture.
Among the international leaders who attended the opening of COP28 was also the Maltese Prime Minister Robert Abela, who supported Malta’s position in favour of an ambitious agreement. For the first time, Malta was involved in negotiations on behalf of the European Union through Minister Miriam Dalli, with the support of the Maltese technical team and the Ambassador for Climate Change, Professor Simone Borg.
Photo: MEEE
