On the path to Copenhagen

In less than three months' time, representatives from countries from around the globe will gather in Copenhagen to forge a new accord on international climate change. Copenhagen will hopefully go down in history as one of the few moments when nations were summoned to reach common decisions that will reshape the lives of every human being on the planet for generations to come.

As a small country with a high population density and limited resources, Malta is highly vulnerable to the adverse impacts of climate change. Individually there is only so much we can do and it is thus in our interest to promote an urgent and ambitious effort within the international community.

It is this understanding that led Malta to support the EU 2020 climate change package last December and it is likewise with the same spirit that Malta has declared its intention to join Annex I to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

This move is testament to the fact that Malta has never shunned its responsibilities and that it seeks to put itself on the same legal footing as its fellow member states. Ironically, while our decision was lauded by the international community, domestically the opposition party once again resorted to unfounded speculation aimed at fuelling apprehension and misunderstanding among our citizens.

As was apparent during the recent seminar organised by Meusac and the Swedish presidency, Opposition spokesman Leo Brincat has failed to understand even the basic implications of such a move to Annex I and had to be corrected, more than once, I must add, by Michael Zammit Cutajar, Malta's Ambassador on Climate Change and chairman of the ad hoc Working Group on Long-term Cooperative Action under the UNFCCC. This government's decisions have been taken with the full knowledge that these commitments are not only necessary for our citizens' well-being but will, in the long run, prove to be economically advantageous for all. In recent months, we have embarked on a series of projects and initiatives aimed at placing our country on the best possible platform to satisfy its various international obligations.

The National Strategy For Policy And Abatement Measures Relating To The Reduction Of Greenhouse Gas Emissions has been finalised and will be presented to Parliament before the end of the month and I have recently appointed another committee and tasked it with drafting an adaptation strategy tailored to address Malta's particular concerns.

However, while the drafting of such complex policies is difficult, the biggest challenge lies in their implementation. The success of these policies does not only depend on heavy financial investment but requires a drastic change in our lifestyle and attitude. It was this understanding that led the government to raise the cost of electricity and water services. It was clear that not paying the real cost was leading consumption to spiral out of control. This was a politically-uncomfortable decision but one which had to be taken.

The drive to have the much-needed facilities that will help us to reach the 10 per cent renewable energy target by 2020, such as the waste-to-energy initiative and the introduction of wind farms, were anything but frivolous. We are aware of the country's limitations but we need to find solutions. We expect that others, including the opposition, help us out rather than oppose or undermine our drive. The opposition's attitude is not only short-sighted in its intentions but counter-productive in its results. The price for inaction or procrastination in this area will not only hinder the government in its delicate work but will ultimately reflect on the Maltese citizens' pockets, health and quality of life.

On the international plane, Malta is once again ready to play its part. However, while Malta fully agrees with the need to conclude a post-2012 agreement, we refuse to accept an agreement just for agreement's sake.

The EU has set legally-binding targets to cut emissions by 20 per cent by 2020 and has pledged to increase that amount to 30 per cent if there are comparable efforts from other developed countries. While the EU's strong stance is praiseworthy, I feel that not enough effort has been made in defining what is expected from our international partners for the EU to take the additional commitment. What is the "comparability" that would trigger the move from a 20 per cent to a 30 per cent target?

Moreover, while the efforts of the developed states that bear the historic responsibility for this problem is commendable, it is also true that developing countries will be accountable for 90 per cent of future global emissions. It is thus imperative that a balance is found in the distribution of responsibilities between the developed and developing countries. Developing countries must understand that a changing climate will derail their development plans while developed countries must, in turn, provide the technological and financial help necessary for the emerging states to build the necessary capacity and investment to adapt.

Malta believes that finance for adaptation actions should be separate from the finance allocated for mitigation actions because both the beneficiaries and the objectives to be attained are different. Finance for adaptation should go to the most vulnerable countries while assistance for mitigation actions should go to countries on the basis of cost-effective emissions reductions.

It is likewise essential that funds are used in an effective and efficient manner and that a reporting and verification system be introduced as an integral part of the financial package. We must move from a project focus to a system geared at helping developing countries transform their economies and societies as a whole. Care must be taken not to jeopardise the countries that are already at the bottom of the ladder in terms of wealth and development.

Regrettably, the negotiations for the post-2012 climate change scenario are not moving at the desired pace. Still, I remain hopeful that, just as it has done in the past, the international community will rise to the challenge. Japan's declared intention to move from an eight per cent to a 25 per cent reduction in emissions by 2020 on 1990 levels has injected a much-needed boost of optimism and could very well help break the deadlock between developed and developing countries.

Copenhagen must be the moment when we act together against the reality that is climate change. We have no choice really. Scientists have made it clear that living in a world with a temperature rise of above 2°C is just not viable. Likewise, the conflicts and tensions brought about by the inevitable mass migration caused by drought and water shortages are too high a price to pay! Copenhagen will once again be an opportunity for Malta and the rest of the international community to rise to the challenge and make the decisions necessary for safeguarding the future of our children.

Mr Pullicino is Minister of Resources and Rural Affairs.