The third, fourth, fifth and sixth National Communication of Malta under the United Nations framework convention on climate change

Abstract

This is the third time that Malta is submitting a National Communication under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), following the submission of a First National Communication in 2004 and a Second National Communication in 2010. This is also the first time that Malta is submitting such a Communication since its accession to Annex I status under the Convention, the previous two submissions having been made as a non-Annex I Party. Emission reduction or limitation commitments applicable to Malta Malta’s status under the Convention up to the time it applied for accession to Annex I, and with that accession being conditional to not taking on quantified emission limitation or reduction targets for the first commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol, meant that until 2012 Malta was not subject to an economy-wide greenhouse gas related obligation under the Protocol. This however did not mean that Malta had no obligations to limit or reduce emissions from anthropogenic activities taking place in the country. In fact, the two major point sources of greenhouse gas emissions in Malta, namely the two electricity generation plants were, as of 2005, and continue to be, subject to the EU Emissions Trading Scheme, whereby they are required to surrender allowances in respect of emissions of carbon dioxide. All other emissions of greenhouse gases, except for some exceptions, are subject to an overall limit under the so-called Effort-Sharing Decision. Under this decision, Malta must limit such greenhouse gases to not more than 5% over emission levels in 2005, by 2020. With the adoption of amendments to the Kyoto Protocol (the Doha Amendments), an overall quantified emission reduction target of 20% compared to 1990 levels has been inscribed for Malta for the second commitment period of the Protocol. However, as a member state of the European Union, Malta will be jointly fulfilling the second commitment period with the other Union member states; therefore, emissions from the afore-mentioned power plants remain subject to compliance with EU Emissions Trading Scheme provisions, while the Effort-Sharing Decision target is the principal emissions mitigation obligation that the country has until 2020, for all other greenhouse gas emissions.