Urban air quality and urban air pollution in Malta as a European Union member state : a spatial perspective

Abstract

Ten years ago, knowledge on Maltese air quality was sparse and no concrete information was available on the major air pollutants present within its urban and rural areas. A major move happened in 1999 when for the first time consistent monitoring through accredited equipment stated taking place. From then, information gathering improved and a clearer picture of the state of ambient air started to be formed. Major sources of the different pollutants started to be identified, and thus abatement measures could start to be implemented. With EU accession, new commitments were adopted, and this helped trigger advancement in the local ambient air monitoring and amelioration. This was due to the fact that new targets had to be achieved not solely for Malta as an independent country, but by Malta as part of the entire European Community. The geography of cities themselves together with their geographical location was seen as a major driver in the types and patterns of movement of pollution within them and outside their borders. This study will show how the key columns of all modern cities - energy and mobility, were identified as the two main sources of the pollution problems Malta faces today. This will be done by analysing not only major reports issued on the subject, but also through analysis of requirements of Maltese legislation and European Union Directives. In the end, hurdles local authorities will have to face will be identified together. Apart from this suggestions of several ways in which air quality objectives can be achieved and ambient air quality improved will be put forward and possible problems explained