Whilst addressing the European Parliament in Brussels, Maltese Member of the European Parliament Miriam Dalli emphasised that in order to concretely address climate change, countries from around the globe must be both ambitious and realistic. Dalli made this statement in the European Parliament's plenary session, following comments which alluded to the idea that ambitious targets and realistic targets are contradictory to one another.

"Today, we have heard statements which allude to the idea that ambition and realism are two extremes which cannot go hand-in-hand. Why can't we act both ambitiously and realistically? Ambition and realism are complimentary and not contradictory to one another," Dr Dalli emphasised in light of the current climate change negotiations, which will be finalised in December in Paris.

Miriam Dalli stated that climate change is a global problem with grave implications. "Its worst impact being felt by the most vulnerable and poorer countries, and whilst technological advances will help, each and every one of us has the strength and power to change things," she emphasised.

Miriam Dalli referred to the leadership role Malta took back in 1988 when it placed climate change on the UN agenda through its former Foreign Affairs Minister Vincent Tabone. However, 27 years down the line minimal progress was achieved.

"That's why arguments that we can wait for another century or so to reduce Greenhouse Gas emissions are totally unacceptable to me. We can't wait any longer. Time is of the essence and the European Union has to retain its key role in fighting for a really ambitious and legally binding global agreement," Miriam Dalli concluded.