This week the Government of Malta signed the instrument of ratification of the Doha Amendment to the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Promotion Carmelo Abela signed on behalf of Malta on 22 November, a government statement said today.
By endorsing the instrument of ratification, Malta has committed to accept its obligation to fulfil targets to limit or reduce greenhouse gas emissions within a set period. The Doha Amendment to the Kyoto Protocol aims to reduce these emissions by at least 18% below 1990 levels in the commitment period between 2013 and 2020.
Minister Abela stated that “by signing this instrument, Malta is contributing to the collective effort by joining other countries at a United Nations level in a bid to limit the emissions of greenhouse gases caused by anthropogenic activity which are contributing to climate change.”
Malta’s efforts to combat the negative effects of climate change include organising and hosting the Executive Session on Climate Change for Commonwealth Heads of Government on the eve of the 21st Conference of the Parties (COP 21) to the UNFCCC, which led to the adoption by consensus of the Paris Agreement on 12 December 2015.