Small island states in “serious danger”, warns Robert Abela during the COP26 climate summit

Robert Abela has sounded the alarm on the “grave danger” facing small island states as a result of the devastating effects of climate change.

The Prime Minister expressed these concerns during a speech at the COP26 conference on climate change.

World leaders gathered in Glasgow to discuss urgent action to mitigate the effects of climate change.

The prime minister told the UN-led summit that small island states are increasingly “shaken by climatic extremes” and “in grave danger”.

“This is why Malta is committed to offering assistance to small island developing states. We share similar risks. We live in common circumstances, ”said Abela.

Abela said Malta is keen to share the country’s experiences and lessons to help other small island developing states achieve a fair and successful low-carbon economy.

Carbon neutral by 2050

The Prime Minister said Malta is committed to implementing a low carbon development strategy with ambitious 2030 targets that will lead the country to achieve climate neutrality by 2050.

But he expressed his concerns about their feasibility for a country like Malta.

“For a small country of just over 300 square kilometers, with limited natural resources and very limited capacity to reduce emissions, these goals are very difficult.”

Abela said Malta was the country that brought climate change to the attention of the United Nations General Assembly in 1988, and governments want to live this legacy.

He said the world must work quickly and effectively to mitigate the devastating effects of climate change.

“As global leaders, we are here because we recognize that it is our responsibility to find and implement solutions.

“Those who give our children hope for a better future and the peace of mind that we are committed to following the discourse with true global collaboration,” said Abela.

He said the starting point must be to make the Paris Agreement work.

The 2015 accord is an international treaty on climate change that aims to limit global warming.

“We must all commit to playing our part… because climate change knows no borders.

“Its implications are universal but its impacts are local… and its consequences have a disproportionate impact on the most vulnerable,” he said.

The Prime Minister told delegates that collaboration and solidarity are essential.

He said the prosperity of one country should not translate into the isolation of another, as the new future of the planet should be based on the alignment of nations in their right to a better world.

Abela said infrastructure transformation and capacity adaptation require funding.

Developing countries, he added, face major challenges and, to this end, Malta will double its contribution to the Green Climate Fund.