Malta registers dramatic rise

A new study published in Brussels yesterday by the EU Environment Agency (EEA) shows Malta is one of the member states with the highest growth in greenhouse gas emissions.

The EU is aiming to cut global greenhouse gas emissions by eight per cent over 1990 levels in order to be able to abide by the Kyoto protocol. The data show Malta is moving in the opposite direction.

According to the EEA, in 2006, Malta's greenhouse gas emissions were 45 per cent higher than in 1990. In fact, that year Malta produced 3.2 million tonnes of emissions, a million tonnes more than in 1990.

Malta, together with Cyprus, is not obliged to abide by the Kyoto protocol because they were considered to be developing countries when the protocol was signed.

Cyprus is performing worse than Malta as it pushed its emissions up by a staggering 66 per cent in the period under review.

The other bad performer other than Malta is Spain, which in-creased emissions by 50.6 per cent.

On the other hand, Latvia and Estonia are the best performers, managing to curb their emissions by 56 and 54.6 per cent respectively.

Overall, the EU 27 emissions fell by 7.7 per cent below 1990 levels.

According to the Commission, the drop, totalling 14 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent, can be attributed to the reduction in nitric acid production, decreases in emissions from chemicals production in France and Hungary and lower overall use of gas and liquid fuels by households.

The major source of greenhouse gas emissions in Malta are the two Enemalta powerplant in Marsa and Delimara.