One World - Climate Change: Monitoring Malta's efforts (3)

Human activities result in emissions of four principal Greenhouse Gases (GHG): Carbon dioxide, Methane, Nitrous oxide and Fluorinated Gases.

Each greenhouse gas has a different capacity to cause global warming. Carbon dioxide has a global warming potential of 1; whilst methane has a global warming potential of 21 (i.e. 1 kg methane has the same effect as 21 kg of carbon dioxide).

In 2007, as reported in Malta's latest National GHG Emissions Inventory, methane (CH4) emissions represented a share of 8.5 % of overall national GHG emissions. CH4 emissions mainly originate from the waste sector and to a lesser extent from the agricultural sector. The energy sector contributes a very small share of around 0.1 kilo tonnes CH4 annually.

Activities typically leading to emissions in the waste sector include solid waste disposal and wastewater handling practices. CH4 emissions in the agricultural sector regard mainly the enteric fermentation and the manure management categories.

Environmental tip: Did you know that landfills account for around 3 % of the EU's GHG emissions, through the released methane by decomposing bio-degradable waste? By composting, you can help eliminate this problem! Just make sure that you compost it properly, so it decomposes with sufficient oxygen, otherwise your compost will cause methane emissions and smell foul.