The 2008 Environment Report (11)
Greenhouse gas emissions
Key policy question: What is the trend in Malta's greenhouse gas emissions?
Greenhouse gases (GHGs) trap heat within the atmosphere, giving rise to increasing average global temperatures. Much of the observed global warming in recent decades can be attributed to GHG emissions from human activities.1 Despite its vulnerability to climate change, Malta's GHG emissions are low due the nation's size in geographic, demographic and economic terms.2 While Malta's GHG emissions are estimated to have increased by 2.6 per cent3 between 2006 and 2007, there has been an overall rise of 49 per cent between 1990 and 2007. The energy sector4 was the principal contributor to Malta's GHG emissions in 2007, at 88.7 per cent of total, followed by waste at 6.6 per cent, while agriculture and industrial processes together with solvent and other product use sectors, contributed less than five per cent.
Policy responses: Mepa policy responses in this area include the compilation of the Greenhouse Gas Inventory and a Report on Malta's Policies and Measures to combat climate change.
The Environment Report seeks to increase awareness and understanding of key environmental issues and trends, to provide a sound evidence base for policy and decision-making, and to facilitate the measurement of environmental performance and progress towards sustainability. For more information visit www.mepa.org.mt/ter
References
1 IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change). 2007. Climate Change 2007: The physical science basis, Summary for policy-makers, contribution of Working Group I to the fourth assessment report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Paris, February 2007.
2 Mepa (Malta Environment and Planning Authority). 2009. National Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory Report for Malta 1990 - 2007, March 2009, Mepa, Floriana.
3 All percentages in this indicator are as calculated in terms of carbon dioxide (Co2) equivalents for Co2, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons and sulphur hexafluoride "without" LULUCF.
4 Including the energy industry, and transport and fuel combustion in the industrial, commercial, institutional and residential sectors.