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Decision-Making: Coordinating Bodies
Ministry
for Environment is responsible for making the decisions for protecting the
atmosphere. Main coordination lies
with Environment Protection Department and the Department of Public Health.
The Environment Protection Department also coordinates with the
University of Malta on issues relating to research.
Decision-Making: Legislation and Regulations
Currently
the main piece of legislation is the Clean Air Act 1967 which is relatively out
dated. However, EU directives are
now being transposed into national legislation.
To this end both WHO and EU standards will soon be in force.
Legislation
issued, namely LN 133 of 95 Control of ODS Regulations which are rigorously enforced.
Decision-Making: Strategies, Policies and Plans
A
study had been processed on "Air Pollution in Malta" which was
financed through UNCP funds in 1998. A
National Air Monitoring programme was initiated in 1999.
With respect of ODSs, we are following
phase out schedule as required under Art 5 of the Montreal Protocol.
With
respect to transboundary air pollution, EU directives will be in near future
enforced locally.
Decision-Making: Major Groups Involvement
Business
and industry plus NGOs are usually invited to participate.
Programmes and Projects
Conditions
are being set in operating licences in order to reduce green house gas emissions
and concentrations in your country.
Currently
the UOM has a remote station in Gozo (to the North of Malta) to monitor
transboundary movement of ozone in the central Mediterranean region.
Since
1993, the EPD has had collaboration with US NOAA to monitor greenhouse gases as
part of the WDGG progressions.
Status
There
is minimal proportion of land that could be considered as greenhouse gas sinks
in Malta
There
has been substantial clearance in the use of ozone depleting substances during
the past ten years from 300 tons per annum circa 90 tons per annum.
Methylromide use had dropped to circa 40 tons per annum in recent years.
In this regard it is very likely that we will be following EU strategy.
Challenges
From
preliminary data it seems that ozone is potentially high to the North of Malta,
possibly due to transboundary movement from the central Mediterranean area.
SO2
is particularly high in the vicinity of the Power plant which are located to the
Southern and Central points of the islands.
Problem related to Nox
and particulates are attached to high traffic density.
Capacity-building, Education, Training
and Awareness-raising
In
2000, a public awareness activity was conducted, and a pamphlet was issued and
the air monitoring equipment was on display for about 1 week at the Trade Fair
Grounds.
Environmental
science is on the national curriculum and is taught at post-secondary level.
Information
In
Malta, the country uses different methods in gathering information and
maintaining a database related to atmospheric changes and they include:
State
of the Environment Report published by EPD.
In
1995, a study on transboundary movement of heavy metals was carried out in
connection with the University of Venice.
Research and Technologies
Currently
the Environment protection Department has
Combine
cycle at power plants is a new technology that is being
developed or introduced to reduce greenhouse gases emissions.
Financing
No information is available
Cooperation
N.B.
Malta is party both to UNDP & LRTAP (+ EMEP)
LRTAP recently ratified.
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This information was provided by the Government of Malta to the 9th Session of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development. Last Update: May 2001.
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No information is available.
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Decision-Making: Coordinating Bodies
Ministry
for Economic Services, Enemalta Corporation, Malta Transport Authority, and
Malta Resources Authority have the coordinating responsibilities.
Decisions
to-date regarding energy have been mainly taken Enemalta Corporation's and the
Ministry for Economic Services. In
the near future the newly established Resources Authority will issue regulations
and an Energy Policy, involving also the MCST (Malta Council for Science and
Technology).
Authority in Malta is centralised.
Decision-Making: Legislation and Regulations
Apparatus
such as, solar water heaters charges a lower VAT rate.
Decision-Making: Strategies, Policies and Plans
At
the moment none exist, energy production in Malta is not privatized, however, a
new law has just been passed providing for a public Authority which will
regulate the situation, with the immediate future.
The
goals of Enemalta are such that the increasing demand of electricity and fuel
are met with maximum efficiency. As
regards environmental protection Enemalta intends to adhere to EU regulations
e.g.. use cleaner fuels.
Decision-Making: Major Groups Involvement
Till now
the state holds a monopoly on energy related entities and issues.
Programmes and Projects
All
islands have access to electricity.
The
one project completed is the substitution of Coal to Fuel Oil, and the
introduction of Diesel run Combined Cycle Plant.
Status
Malta
imports all its energy resources.
Electricity
is easily accessible to urban, rural households and also to Industrial Areas.
In the Transportation Section, electricity is still in its beginnings.
The
rate of change of sales of transportation diesel fuels was always on the rise
till 1997. Following that year the
rate of change started to decrease. As
regards gasoline no significant marked changed was noted in the rate of change
for sales.
It
is expected that the effects of electricity liberalisation would be negligible.
Challenges
Energy
is produced from fossil fuels. The
environment is degradated mainly because of air emissions from fuel combustion
at power plants (SO2/Nox/particulates) and transportation
(Nox/Co/particulates)
1.
improvement in fuel quality/pollution abatement technology and
2.
improvement in public transport to reduce private car usage
There
are no barriers against usage of renewable energy sources and cleaner fossil
fuel techniques.
Capacity-building, Education, Training
and Awareness-raising
Regular
information campaigns to promote energy saving appliances and the wise use of
energy. In 1996 an energy Fair was
organised where a leaflet on energy conservation was distributed to all the
customers.
No
formal policy, but there is an information campaign carried out by the
Environment Protection Department in collaboration with Enemalta.
Information
Statistics
are collected and analysed to prepare a program for the future.
Information
on energy and energy-related issues concerning atmosphere and transportation is
made available to the public through popular articles in press and
Radio programmes.
There
are environmental studies which tackle the subject appropriately.
Research and Technologies
Solar
photo voltaic or thermal could be feasible in Malta.
However electricity process still does not reflect the cost, and
hence make solar energy expensive.
Enemalta
has a plan to invest in alternative energy depending mainly on Maltas
accession to the EU.
Solar
photovoltaic on thermal could be flexible in Malta.
However due to government regulated electricity prices, such form of
energy is still not competitive.
Financing
No information is available
Cooperation
Malta
is party to UNFCCC, the Montreal Protocol and is awaiting a cabinet decision to
ratify the Kyoto Protocol. While no
legislation is required to implement UNFCCC legislation exist to implement the
obligations Malta has under the Kyoto Protocol.
As
an EU applicant country Malta is in the process of harmonizing its laws and
policies with those of the EU on the subject.
Major financial sources of funding for energy related projects and programmes - from outside the country - 100% - Syndicated Loans.
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This information was provided by the Government of Malta to the 9th Session of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development. Last Update: May 2001.
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No information is available.
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