Intent and Objectives: Updated National Air Pollution Control Programme

 

CONSULTATION BRIEF

Start date: 27 March 2024

Closing date: 24 April 2024

Title of the public consultation: Intent and Objectives: Updated National Air Pollution Control Programme

Ministry: Ministry for the Environment, Energy and Regeneration of the Grand Harbour

Entity: Environment & Resources Authority

  1. Background

In terms of Article 51 of the Environment Protection Act (Cap. 549), it is duly notified that the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA), in collaboration with the Ministry for Environment, Energy and Regeneration of the Grand Harbour, is currently in the process of updating Malta’s National Air Pollution Control Programme (NAPCP) under Directive (EU) 2016/2284. This Directive, which is also referred to as the NEC Directive, focuses on reducing national emissions of certain atmospheric. The NAPCP is the principal governance tool under the NEC Directive, supporting Member States in formulating their policies and measures.

  1. Consultation

 Intent and Objectives

The selection of these policies and measures will be based on the following objectives:

    • To reduce air pollutant emissions for the purpose of reaching compliance with the national emission reduction commitments, as set out in Annex II of the Directive, for the following pollutants:
        • Nitrogen Oxides (NOx)
        • Sulphur Dioxide (SO2)
        • Non-methane Volatile Organic Compounds (nmVOCs)
        • Ammonia (NH3)
        • Fine Particulate Matter (PM5)
    • To contribute in the improvement of air quality and compliance with limit values as set out in the Ambient Air Quality Directive (2008/50/EC).
    • To identify and maximise potential synergies to ensure coherence with other plans and programmes, including those related to climate, energy, agriculture, industry and transport, while avoiding conflict with other policies and measures adopted under different policy areas.

The public is invited to submit any feedback or comments on the intent and objectives of the updating of this programme.

  1. Submission of feedback

Comments are being invited through the feedback form at publicconsultation.gov.mt or otherwise by email through [email protected]

  1. Further notes

Please be informed that comments submitted, together with the identity of the contributor, may be published online at the end of the public consultation, unless the contributor objects to the publication of his/her personal data. In this case, the contribution may be published in anonymous form.

All comments submitted shall be duly considered.

The draft revised Programme will be available for public consultation in due course.