Malta's climate change strategy to be presented at seminar

Proposals for Malta's climate change strategy will be publicly announced at a seminar at the University on Thursday, resulting from a three-year project funded by the Global Environment Facility through UN Development Programme.

The project has drawn up Malta's First National Communication (FNC) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) which was endorsed by Cabinet on March 15, following a presentation by the project manager, Dr Charles V. Sammut, a senior lecturer at the University's Department of Physics.

The communication includes a greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory for 1990-2000, analysis of several GHG abatement scenarios, as well as a detailed review of Malta's vulnerability to climate change.

The FNC proposes measures and policies to mitigate and adapt to the adverse climate change effects of climate change, as well as a national action plan for GHG abatement.

Managed by the University's Physics Department in collaboration with the Ministry for Rural Affairs and the Environment, the project has involved inputs from thirty experts organised into four working groups, co-ordinated by a steering committee chaired by Louis Vella, assistant director of MEPA.

A second phase of the project, also funded by GEF-UNDP, will identify technology needs for reduction of GHG emissions and climate change adaptation, establish national and regional networks, as well as develop capacity-building.

"The country faces an enormous challenge: business as usual is definitely not an option as far as adapting to climate change impacts is concerned", Dr Sammut told The Sunday Times in an exclusive interview.

"Malta must focus on 'win-win' policy measures bringing positive results for society while protecting the nation from adverse climate change impacts. These measures will mean significant changes in energy production and use, transport, construction standards, farming methods, coastal and water supply management, among others", he explained. "A phased approach can stimulate both short-term action while developing long terms targets. Taking these measures as soon as possible will avoid costly impacts and remedial measures in later years".

The FNC recommends establishment of a Climate Change Committee, possibly as part of the National Commission for Sustainable Development, to formally work out detailed policy measures and monitor the strategy's implementation by government, industry and local councils.

"There is a 50% chance that Malta's average temperature will increase by 3°C by 2100, while precipitation could decline by 17%," according to Dr Alfred Micallef, senior national project expert. "Major impacts could include more extreme weather events; the deterioration of drinking water supplies, soil quality, biodiversity, and fish stocks; coastal erosion, as well as flooding of coastal areas and salinisation of groundwater reserves near the sea, due to sea level rise."

Declining water supplies will oblige Malta to develop policies limiting water consumption (including a new water tariff structure), improve sewage and waste treatment, increase resort to recycled water for non-potable use, introduce efficient irrigation methods and storm and flood water management planning as well as combat illegal groundwater abstraction.

"Malta's agriculture will have to progressively shift production into drought and salt tolerant crops," Dr Micallef added, "and expand greenhouse use. Farmers will have to combat soil erosion and deterioration by maintaining rubble walls, landscaping, minimising tillage and increasing use of compost. Abandoned land should be afforested by drought and heat-resistant tree species."

Higher temperatures will also involve health risks from both heat-related disorders and the spread of diseases and infections not current at present. The FNC calls for a 'Hot Weather Contingency Plan' covering industrial working conditions, identification of people at risk and public awareness campaigns.

Under the UNFCC's Kyoto Protocol (1997) expected to enter into force later this year, Malta is not obliged to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, with carbon dioxide being the leading gas. However, once an EU member it will be expected to make an effort, and file a National Allocation Plan for Emission Reductions.

The strategy advocates measures reducing these emissions from the energy, transport and industry sectors. On present trends, private car ownership, at 180,000 in 2000, is projected to reach 250,000 cars in 2010; the strategy calls for technical improvements to vehicles, introduction of fuel alternatives to petrol, as well as incentives for much greater use of public transport.

"The energy sector is the highest emitter of GHGs", Dr Sammut indicated. "There is a lot of scope to change this by switching to natural gas for power generation, and introducing wide-ranging use of renewable energies as well as energy efficiency and conservation measures. Industry can also do a lot by adopting clean technology production processes, encouraged by appropriate financial instruments. For a start, industry needs to adopt a code of environmental good practice and identify its environmental responsibilities."