Greenhouse Gasses

Are Malta's greenhouse gas emissions rising?

Malta's greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions rose by more than 44 per cent between 1990 and 2003, with CO2 (carbon dioxide) being by far the most significant contributor, in comparison with the other greenhouse gases (methane, nitrous oxide, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide and non-methane volatile organic compounds). Despite its rising emissions, Malta had one of the lowest GHG emission rates per capita in the EU, seven tonnes compared to the EU average of 11 tonnes in 2000. The energy sector contributes approximately 63 per cent of Malta's GHG emissions. GHG emissions from transport increased steadily between 1990 and 2000, in step with rising vehicle numbers. They grew by 45 per cent over 10 years and now account for 20 per cent of total emissions. Malta has a relatively high rate of GHG emissions per unit GDP, standing at 910 tonnes of CO2 equivalent per million Euro as against the EU average of 605 tonnes in 2000, which is likely to be related to low levels of efficiency in energy generation and consumption. In 2003, Malta accounted for just 0.055 per cent of total EU greenhouse gas emissions. EU-15 GHG emissions were 3.3 per cent below 1990 levels in 2000, however, in 2003 emissions rose to 1.4% below 1990 levels. EU-25 emissions were 5.5 per cent below the 1990 level in 2003.

The State of the Environment Report 2005 is a Mepa publication available on www.mepa.org.mt