Prime Minister Robert Abela on Saturday announced a project organized by Malta, focusing on the adaptation and resilience of small islands to climate change.

While attending COP28, the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Dubai, Abela announced that the Maltese Government will be financing another project, this time a research initiative that will strengthen the Climate Vulnerability and Resilience Index.

This tool will aid small islands in identifying their vulnerabilities to the effects of climate change, allowing them to prepare for and mitigate its impacts, government said in a statement.

In his speech, Abela said that failing to update the way we operate, not only leads to significant economic costs but also undermines the quality of life for families.

“Therefore, as a country, we are also pushing any agenda where small states, like Malta, address challenges related to climate change,” Abela said.

He referred to the ‘Islands for Islands’ initiative, which he had announced at COP26.

Abela said that this initiative has led Malta’s Energy and Water Agency to assist other islands in enhancing their capacity to better manage scarce water resources, helping small islands in their ongoing development to meet the unique challenges associated with climate change.