PRESS RELEASE BY THE MINISTRY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, ENERGY AND PUBLIC CLEANLINESS Malta at Environment Council: EU must push for ambition, fairness and cost-effectiveness

Malta has reiterated its strong commitment to climate action and environmental progress during high-level talks at the Informal Council of Environment Ministers in Aalborg, Denmark.

Speaking across multiple sessions, Minister for the Environment, Energy and Public Cleanliness Miriam Dalli stressed that fairness, flexibility and real-world challenges must shape Europe’s climate path towards 2040 and beyond.

The meeting brought together environment ministers from across the EU to discuss priorities ahead of COP30, the next global climate summit which will take place in Brazil.

As a small island state, Malta highlighted the urgent need to finalise the Global Goal on Adaptation, a key climate objective focused on helping countries adjust to the worsening effects of climate change. “Adaptation is essential for small island states and communities on the frontline,” the Minister urged, as she called for climate reports such as the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to be used not only to measure progress but to shape a clear and shared global narrative. NDCs are national action plans under the Paris Agreement.

Speaking about the environmental future of Europe, Minister Dalli urged more action in two key areas: climate adaptation and the circular economy. The Minister mentioned significant national advancements, such as Malta's circular material use rate surpassing the EU average in 2023 at 19.8%, while acknowledging the difficulties associated with Malta's small size and limited natural resources.

Malta emphasised the significance of enhancing water resilience in relation to adaptation. The nation is creating a National Adaptation Plan, with a particular emphasis on the water sector, in response to the increasing threats posed by drought and sea level rise. In line with national objectives, Malta also voiced strong support for the EU's recently launched Water Resilience Initiative.

Looking ahead to 2040, Minister Dalli stated that Malta supports a climate target based on science, but it has to be fair and cost effective. In particular, Minister Dalli emphasised the need for the EU to develop policies that take into account national capacities.

“We’re a small country that phased out the most polluting of fossil fuels and invested in renewables, but we also face challenges in other sectors. The next climate package must reflect that,” she said.

Malta proposed more flexibility between EU carbon trading systems to match national realities, the consideration of high-integrity international carbon credits in future EU policy and better access to climate funding for small states, which are often excluded due to scale or administrative complexity.

“We are fully committed to the EU’s climate goals — but we must reach them in a way that is fair, cost-effective, and delivers results on the ground without putting any undue burdens on our people. Every Member State must be provided with the necessary tools and flexibility to fulfil its role. Malta stands ready to do so,” Minister Dalli concluded.