Mediterranean Action Plan

MALTA - National study
new entrants to 2.143061 million tonnes. This is equivalent to a reduction of 0.812539 million
tonnes per year for the trading period (Commission of the European Communities, 2006).
1.3.3 Other impacts on the Environment
Apart from greenhouse gas emissions, air quality is also a major environmental issue in
Malta and the energy sector is also a contributory party. In 1995 for example coal for
electricity generation was phased out due to air quality concerns in the vicinity of Marsa
Power Station.
Various EU environmental directives exist which Malta has transposed and obliged to adopt
to limit the emissions to the air resulting from various sources. These include the Large
Combustion Plants Directive, the National Emission Ceilings Directive, the Integrated
Pollution Prevention and Control Directive, Ambient Air Quality Assessment and
Management Regulations, and the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme.
There is no fixed energy infrastructure connecting Malta to potential fuel product suppliers.
All fuels are transported to Malta by ocean going vessels.
The transportation of fuels to Malta by sea going vessels poses inherent risks in terms of
potential marine pollution. The risks from marine pollution in view of the country‟s
geographical location are recognised particularly since Malta lies at the heart of major
shipping routes.
Other environmental impacts associated with fuel storage include hydrocarbon losses and
leaks from storage tanks and pipelines, which can contaminate the local terrain as well as
surface, coastal and ground water resources. Typically such losses and leaks can arise out
of insufficient asset maintenance or accidental damage. Apart from this, land use and silting
impacts including the effects on visual amenity associated with the location of the storage
facilities.
1.4 Financ ing and inve s t ment needs
A National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF) document has been drafted through an
intensive dialogue process and an extensive assessment of the country‟s needs and
challenges, strategic objectives for development for the medium and longer term. This
document provides the goals and the basic strategic framework for the operational
programmes on the objective of sustaining economic competitiveness through innovation
and entrepreneurship and facilitating a knowledge-based economy through investment in the
necessary physical and social infrastructural capabilities, education and social inclusion.
(Government of Malta 2006c)
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