The transport share of greenhouse gas emissions

In 2007, the energy sector was the largest contributor to the National Greenhouse Gases (GHG) emissions with a share of 88.7 per cent of gross national emissions. While power generation contributes to 75 per cent of the emissions in the Energy sector, the second highest contributor under this sector was transport with a share of almost 20 per cent. Fossil fuel use in the manufacturing industry and the commercial, institutional and residential sectors accounts for the remaining five per cent of the GHG emissions in the energy sector.

The Transport sector incorporates emissions from road transport, marine transport and domestic aviation. Emissions from road transport fuel combustion were the most dominant, with a share of 96.3 % of all transport emissions. The trend in historic emissions from road transport mirrors the increase in the total number of licensed motor vehicles making up the national vehicle fleet.

The GHG emissions from the transport sector are projected to increase by 9.5 per cent over those in 2005 emissions by 2020 unless targeted policies and measures are developed to address emission reduction. The EU Effort Sharing Decision, agreed in December 2008, puts a target on the GHG emissions from a number of sectors by 2020: for Malta this is five per cent above 2005 emissions. The transport sector is one of the sectors covered by this target.

Environmental tip: Did you know that if you have the correct tyre pressure you can help contribute to reduce emissions and save on fuel consumption? If the pressure is down by 0.5 bars, your car uses 2.5 per cent more fuel to overcome the resistance and thus releases 2.5 per cent more CO2.