Verified emission reports deadline

In a letter to The Times (April 9), the main opposition spokesman for the environment, sustainable development and climate change, Leo Brincat spoke of a delay by the government to submit Malta's emissions levels to the European Union.

In his letter, Mr Brincat claims that many are those who still remain mystified and perplexed as to why Malta happens to be one of the regular laggards when it comes to submitting environment-related data to the EU. This, he wrote, has happened in the past as far as waste management statistics and renewable energy "achievements" are concerned and has only recently repeated itself when it came to the compilation of climate-related emissions submissions.

This statement is incorrect.

The Emissions Trading Scheme Directive (2003/87/EC) requires operators to submit verified emissions reports each year in respect of emissions of greenhouse gases as listed in the directive's Annex 1 for the previous calendar year. Enemalta has accordingly submitted its verified emission report to the Malta Environment and Planning Authority within the deadline for submission of verified emission reports as set out in the directive. These reports are now being assessed by Mepa and, once this review is concluded, the emissions data will be inputted into the registry system as required by the directive.

The directive also requires operators to surrender a quantity of allowances equivalent to the reported emissions by the end of each year. The surrendering of allowances will be done by Mepa on behalf of Enemalta by May 1, 2010, the deadline stipulated in the directive. Moreover, in his letter, Mr Brincat states that he "cannot exclude the possibility that when emissions data finally see the light of day, ours might register an increase at a time when those of industrialised countries dipped - mainly due to the economic recession".

These assumptions are premature.

Mr Zahra is communications coordinator, Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism, the Environment and Culture.