Malta to post highest EU rise in greenhouse gas emissions by 2010

Malta is expected to register the highest increase in greenhouse gas emissions in the EU within two years, according to a report issued by the EU's Environmental Agency (EEA).

Malta's greenhouse gas emissions will rise by a staggering 62 per cent by 2010 over the 1990 levels, according to projections made by the agency.

The agency probed the efforts being made by the 27 member states to cut greenhouse gas emissions, considered to be one of the main reasons for global warming.

According to the report, Malta produced 3.2 million metric tons of greenhouse gases in 2006, primarily through its two power stations. The agency is projecting this will now rise to 3.5 million metric tons by 2010, an increase of 62 per cent over the 2.2 million metric tones produced in 1990.

The EU is planning that by 2012 it will reduce overall global greenhouse gas emissions by eight per cent over the 1990 levels in order to abide by the Kyoto protocol.

The new data shows Malta is moving in the opposite direction. However, Malta and Cyprus are the only two EU member states not bound by any targets until 2012 as they were not part of the EU or the Kyoto protocol at the time of its signing because both Mediterranean islands are considered to be still developing economies. But the situation will change from 2012 when both will be integrated in the protocol's second phase.

According to the EEA data, in 2006 Malta was producing 7.9 tonnes of greenhouse gasses per capita. Carbon dioxide constitutes 83 per cent of all the greenhouse gases produced by Malta, followed by methane (14 per cent), fluorinated gases (two per cent) and nitrous oxide (one per cent).

The energy sector, primarily the power stations, is by far the biggest source of pollution, responsible for 67 per cent of all greenhouse gases produced by the island. Other substantial pollutant sectors are transport (16 per cent) and waste facilities (12 per cent).

The EEA report shows the EU is on track in meeting its Kyoto protocol targets by 2012. The only member states not keeping to their targets are Denmark, Italy and Spain.

The report gives a long-term estimate of the emissions situation in Europe. Although emissions are projected to continue decreasing until 2020 in the EU-27, the 20 per cent reduction target compared to 1990, endorsed by European leaders last year, will remain out of reach if certain measures, such as the EU energy and climate change package proposed by the European Commission last January, are not implemented.

Member states are still discussing the proposals and negotiations should be wrapped up by the end of this year.