Malta was one of two member states who indicated their intention to oppose a provisional deal on binding national emissions targets for sectors such as agriculture, transport, buildings and waste management, which fall outside the scope of the EU emissions trading system (ETS) for the period 2021-2030.
The sectors account for around 60% of EU emissions, and is key for the EU to fulfil its Paris climate deal commitment of a reduction of at least 40% in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, compared to 1990 levels.
Malta and Lithuania, the second member state who opposed the deal, voiced particular opposition to the methodology used to calculate national emissions reduction trajectories up to 2030; and the costs involved with reaching such targets.
Poland and Latvia abstained, while Italy voted in favour, despite uncertainty.
On Wednesday, EU ambassadors gave their support to a provisional agreement reached between the then Estonian presidency and the European Parliament on 21 December 2017 on the Effort Sharing Regulation, after negotiations had begun in October 2017.
The agreement was discussed in a meeting between the EU’s rotating president, which is Bulgaria, and the deputy permanent representatives of the member states to check whether the provisional text that was agreed with the European Parliament in December would obtain a qualified majority with the member states if there was a formal vote in the Environment Council with each state’s minister for the environment.
A qualified majority was reached, however, a Commission spokesperson confirmed that four member states had reservations, and thereby indicated their intention to abstained or oppose, had there been a formal vote.
Now that the provisionally agreed text has been endorsed by the EU ambassadors, it will be forwarded to the Parliament.
It is subject to final approval by the Parliament and subsequent formal adoption by the Council, the legislative act will be published in the Official Journal of the EU and enter into force twenty days following its publication.