Malta is forming part of the EU negotiating team leading the COP negotiations on the final climate agreement to be adopted by COP28, the Department of Information said Monday. As countries from around the world are gathered in Dubai to negotiate a collective position to address climate change, the EU takes a central role as one of the key players in these negotiations. One of the topics that is currently being negotiated intensely is the programme on the global goal on adaptation.
In these negotiations the European Union is being represented by the Minister for Environment, Energy and Enterprise Miriam Dalli and the Austrian Minister for Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology Leonore Gewessler. This is the first time that Malta was chosen as part of the EU negotiating team leading one of the major files during a United Nations Climate Change COP.
As the 12-day conference draws to an end this week, the 197 countries meeting in Dubai are seeking to reach agreements on effective solutions to the climate emergency.
This year Malta took a very active role during the UN Climate Change COP participating and organising several events focusing on different issues related to climate change, particularly challenges and solutions for small island states. Minister Miriam Dalli stated that Malta’s involvement in the negotiations conveys a strong message about Malta’s stand, showing that small states have a strong role in negotiating a deal that needs the consensus among all states for it to be successful.
“The EU and its Member States, including Malta, are spearheading an ambitious outcome at COP, leading by example through their goal-oriented targets. Malta remains committed to maintain the momentum while highlighting the opportunities that climate action brings. We are insisting that our guiding principle is that anything agreed needs to be in line with the commitment taken not to go beyond the 1.5 °C warming goal”, Minister Dalli said.
Among the adaptation measures being discussed are initiatives related to water scarcity, ensuring supply of food and agricultural production, strengthening resilience against health impacts, protecting ecosystems, ensuring more resilient infrastructures, reducing poverty due to climate impacts and protecting cultural heritage. This would require countries to identify their biggest risks resulting from climate change.
The aim is for countries to prepare themselves and adapt to minimise the consequences of the negatives effects of climate change to protect lives and ensure resilience of the different communities. The Dubai Presidency intends to conclude COP28 with an agreement on Tuesday 12th December, however there are still a number of issues which remain open until today. The COP28 was launched on 1st December with a provocative mission statement: Unite. Act. Deliver.