Malta is part of a group of countries calling for safeguards for the maritime and aviation sectors
Malta is among a group of countries calling for the revision of the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) to safeguard Europe's competitiveness.
Minister Miriam Dalli joined other European ministers at the European Union Environment Council, where they discussed the proposed revision of the ETS.
Minister Dalli expressed Malta's support for a strong, effective European system as a key tool to reduce emissions and achieve the European Union's common climate goals. However, she stressed that the revised framework must remain predictable while ensuring that all Member States have a practical and realistic pathway towards decarbonisation.
The Minister emphasised that maritime transport and aviation are essential for Malta as a small island state, as they underpin connectivity, the supply of essential goods and the functioning of the economy. She therefore called for the revised framework to reflect these realities, warning that climate measures should not undermine the competitiveness of countries that rely heavily on these sectors.
“We want the EU ETS to deliver real emissions reductions while giving every Member State the means to contribute, taking into account our different national circumstances,” Minister Dalli said.
Malta is also working with a group of like-minded Member States that share the principle that the environmental integrity of the ETS must be safeguarded while avoiding negative impacts on economic competitiveness.
Among Malta's priorities are safeguarding connectivity and security of supply, addressing what is known as carbon leakage, in this context, the diversion of maritime and aviation traffic to third countries without delivering any climate benefits, ensuring sufficient flexibility and support to make the transition fair and effective.
Minister Dalli emphasised that tackling climate change and safeguarding economic competitiveness must go hand in hand, while European climate policies should reflect the different circumstances of Member States.
