The Mediterranean is among the most vulnerable regions to climate change, and this should spur Mediterranean countries and other countries to take concrete and immediate action against climate change, before it is too late, MEP Miriam Dalli said.

The vulnerability of the Mediterranean is evident, as more research and scientific studies predict that in eighty years’ time, precipitation in the region will decrease by more than half while sea-levels will continue rising, even up to 0.5m.

Following the strong vote of the European Parliament backing the ratification of the Paris Climate Change Conference, Labour MEP Dr Miriam Dalli stressed the need that European countries start implementing immediately concrete and effective measures, including funding for national climate action plans.

"Malta, along with other countries, are already bearing adverse consequences as a result of climate change, such as drought and unstable weather. If no concrete action is taken, the situation of the region will deteriorate further and security aspects in the Mediterranean will become more worrying," the Labour MEP remarked during a debate in the plenary session of the European Parliament.

In this context, she lauded Malta and six other countries for being the first to retify the Paris Agreement.

Following the success of the Paris conference commonly referred to as COP 21, countries will meet again this November, this time in Marrakech in Morocco.

"The Marrakech Conference comes at an ideal time for things to really take-off in a region which necessitates so much change. We should take this opportunity and build on the progress made and the momentum gained in recent months to really make a difference,” MEP Miriam Dalli concluded.