On the first anniversary of his election to the European Parliament, Maltese MEP Peter Agius gave an exclusive interview to the climate magazine Revolve, urging the European Union to review its climate policies to ensure fair treatment of islands under the Green Deal—particularly regarding the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS).

In the interview with journalist Suzan Naz Uzel, Agius emphasised the disproportionate impact of Green Deal policies on island territories such as Malta and Gozo, which are highly vulnerable to both climate change and economic imbalances caused by the EU’s uniform legislative approach.

“As islands, we are among the most affected by climate change, while also being disproportionately exposed to global market pressures,” Agius said. “We cannot be placed on the same level as major cities and continental European countries.”

Agius highlighted concerns that policies like the ETS tax on shipping, though well-meaning, risk undermining island economies’ competitiveness. Malta, for instance, is already experiencing shipping companies rerouting to ports outside the EU in North Africa to avoid ETS-related costs. This trend is diminishing Malta’s and its Freeport’s role as a transshipment hub, disrupting local supply chains and driving up consumer prices.

The MEP warned that these developments contradict the European principle of territorial continuity, which is intended to help island communities overcome their natural and logistical disadvantages. “Instead of one-size-fits-all rules, the EU should adopt policies based on thorough impact assessments that consider the unique circumstances of islands,” he said.

Agius called for greater political unity among island representatives and urged the European Commission to carry out specific island-focused impact assessments for all climate and transport legislation. He also proposed that ETS revenues be reinvested in sustainable infrastructure and renewable energy projects on islands—not as a substitute, but as a complement to improved and more inclusive regulations.

“Reinvestment is positive, but it doesn’t address the systemic imbalance,” Agius stated. “The real solution lies in designing better policies from the outset, with island realities at their core.”

The interview featured as part of REVOLVE’s series on climate and mobility challenges, offering a platform for technical discussion with political insight on the future of the European Union.