The mean temperature in Malta over the past 30 years was higher than the climatic norm of 18.6 degrees Celsius, the National Statistics Office said in a statement issued on the occasion of World Environment Day 2014.

The theme chosen this year is “Small Island Developing States and Climate Change”.

Though Malta is not classified as a developing state, the effects of climate change were still likely to generate considerable environmental impacts on ecosystems, society and the economy in general, the NSO said.

It said scientific evidence indicated that the increase in heat-trapping greenhouse gases from human activities was causing significant climatic changes worldwide.

Between 1990 and 2012, Malta’s net emissions of greenhouse gases increased by 57.7 per cent. Throughout period, the energy sector contributed 91.2 per cent of total greenhouse gas emissions in Malta.

The bulk of emissions originated from energy industries, which comprised the Marsa and Delimara power stations. From 1990 to 2012, emissions from the power stations constituted 66.7 per cent of emissions.

Emissions from transport sources comprises the second largest source and amounted to 18.6 per cent of national total emissions.

The mean temperature for 2004-2013 (19.3oC) was 0.8 degrees Celsius higher than the average temperature recorded during 1974-1983 (18.5oC). From 1985 onwards, all years had a mean temperature which was higher than the climatic norm for Malta.