The introduction of flexible bi-directional lanes on arterial roads to reduce traffic congestion during peak hours is among the proposals made in a National strategy for policy abatement measures relating to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, issued today.
Resources Minister George Pullicino said publication of the document followed an extensive consultation process held earlier this year.
He said that some 62 percent of Malta's emissions were generated by energy production through the power stations while transport accounted for 17 percent and waste,6.6 percent.
He explained that by 2018 the government would have to invest some €800 million in the energy supply infrastructure as part of its mitigation measures for CO2, including the upgrading of Delimara power station and an underwater cable to Sicily. This, he said, did not include the decomissioning of the Marsa power plant which would take place in 2015.
Replying to questions over the technology chosen for the power station extension, David Spiteri Gingell, chairman of the Climate Change Committee, said Malta would not be ready, infrastructure wise, to import natural gas for the power station at least before 2016.Therefore any conversion of the generating plant could not take place before that time.
Other measures included in the document include the introduction of Smart Metres, differention of tariffs to encourage the shifting of electricity demand from peak to non-peak times, a ban on incandescent bulbs, the possible introduction of an eco-contribution on high energy-consuming appliances to encourage people to buy A-class appliances and the use of sustainable systems to generate electricity.
For transport, the document suggests, among other things, the introduction of flexible bi-directional lanes on arterial road to reduce traffic congestion during peak hours. There is also a call for less polluting buses and commercial vehicles.
The document also proposes that official working hours and school hours should be staggered as a means to reduce congestion, and hence more emissions from vehicles, on the roads.
Mr Pullicino said that by 2020 Malta had to reduce its emissions to half the 2008 level in terms of international agreements. He said the construction of the power station extension and the submarine power cable along with the decommissioning of the Marsa power plant should bring Malta in line with the EU baseline on emissions.