PRESS RELEASE BY THE MINISTRY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, ENERGY AND PUBLIC CLEANLINESS: Malta secures important results in the agreement on the European Climate Law

Agreement reached on the European Climate Law for 2040

Through negotiations led by the Minister for the Environment, Energy and Public Cleanliness Miriam Dalli, Malta succeeded in obtaining important and concrete results in the political agreement on the European Climate Law. This law sets the EU's trajectory towards the year 2040, including a target of a 90% reduction in pollution at European level, which will then be reflected in individual targets for member states.

The agreement was reached during the meeting of the Council of Environment Ministers in Brussels.

Achievements included:

• Clear recognition of the realities faced by island states in the European Union, such as Malta;
• Flexibility in how emission reductions are measured and distributed across different sectors -- so that strong progress in the energy sector can help balance challenges in areas such as transport;
• The inclusion of individual Impact Assessments for each Member State, similar to the approach used in the Fit for 55 package, so that future targets are fair and proportionate to each country's situation.

“Today we achieved important results for our country. This is a strong law because it shows the European Union's ambition for the year 2040. However, thanks to the negotiations we led as Malta, the realities of small island states like ours are being clearly recognised. This is crucial for us. It not only values the progress we have made in sectors such as energy but also helps us move forward to get even closer to a clean, zero-pollution economy," said Minister Miriam Dalli.

During these negotiations, Malta convinced the Danish Presidency and the other Member States of the need for the realities of island states to be genuinely and tangibly taken into account.

The Climate Law and the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) were presented together as part of preparations for COP 30, where global leaders will discuss the future of climate policy.

Photo: MEEC