Allocating emissions

Malta was instrumental in launching and piloting the concept of climate change through international fora. In particular, Malta made a proposal for a resolution at the United Nations General Assembly in 1988 urging the "protection of global climate for present and future generations of mankind". This proposal was adopted as resolution 43/53, and was the foundation on which further international developments in this field (including the Kyoto Protocol) were based.

The European Union, is a signatory to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and to the Kyoto Protocol. The Kyoto Protocol (KP) sets quantified targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions for its members.

Malta ratified both these international documents and it follows that Malta has no emission limitation commitments under the KP. Indeed, out of 25 EU member states, only Malta and Cyprus have no commitments.

All the other 23 member states have quantified emission limitation commitments. Thus, for the time being, Malta and Cyprus have exceptional status within the EU.