What do tiny Malta and the entire African continent have in common? Their contribution to climate change is negligible but they will be among the hardest hit.
Malta lies in the middle of the two most vulnerable regions to threats imposed by climate change, according to a European Commission White Paper published earlier this year. Being a small island state, Malta's threats are exacerbated, a fact acknowledged by Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi during a recent parliamentary debate on the subject:
"The impact on small island states - particularly water shortages and sea level rise - is no joke. Because of sea level rise, we could lose a high percentage of our coast."
However, the European Environment Agency (EEA) told The Sunday Times that Malta had still not forwarded any plans regarding climate change impact, vulnerability and adaptation, in contrast with other Mediterranean countries that "have prepared quite extensive climate change assessments".
In a report entitled "Impacts of Europe's Changing Climate", the EEA outlines the Mediterranean's vulnerability. The threats include an increased risk of floods and droughts, losses of biodiversity, threats to health, and damage to economic sectors such as energy, transport, forestry, agriculture and tourism.
Malta's vulnerability to climate change was recognised by the government in 2004 in its assessment for the First National Communication of Malta to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. The country's report acknowledged that averting the worst effects requires a strong will for immediate action.
Five years later, Resources Minister George Pullicino pledged that a committee would draw up a strategy for adaptation to climate change. This was last August and no timelines have been set.
As an island nation that draws most of its water supply from the sea through desalination plants at considerable cost, fresh water is a precious resource. The Malta Resources Authority (MRA), the country's regulator, acknowledges that Malta is one of those Mediterranean countries under the 'constant pressure' of water scarcity.
Yet, it is not illegal in Malta to extract groundwater for commercial purposes, the MRA said. Two weeks ago, the government maintained it will not charge tariffs for ground water extraction while publicising its effort to register those making unauthorised use of the groundwater supply.
By 2015, Malta must cut back extraction to 23 million cubic metres to achieve good quality groundwater, but there is no strategy laid out in a national water policy, according to hydrologist Marco Cremona.
The other major threat is coastal management. The one proposed measure in this regard - moving the Ghdira road further inland - came in for criticism, and Infrastructure Minister Austin Gatt recently announced that he plan has been shelved until further studies are carried out.