Public Consultation – National Air Pollution Control Programme

CONSULTATION BRIEF

Start date: 22/11/2019

Closing date: 24/01/2020

Title of the public consultation: National Air Pollution Control Programme
Ministry: Ministry for the Environment, Sustainable Development and Climate Change

Entity: Environment & Resources Authority (ERA)

1. Background

The Environment and Resources Authority (ERA), in collaboration with the Ministry for the Environment, Sustainable Development and Climate Change, has prepared a National Air Pollution Control Programme (NAPCP).

The NAPCP is the principal governance tool under the National Emission Ceilings (NEC) Directive, supporting Member States to plan their policies and measures. The selection of these policies and measures is based on the following objectives:

• To reduce air pollutant emissions for the purpose of reaching compliance with the national emission reduction commitments for 2020 and 2030, as set in Annex II of  the NEC Directive, for the following pollutants:

– Nitrogen Oxides (NOx)
– Sulphur Dioxide (SO2)
– Non-methane Volatile Organic Compounds (nmVOCs)
– Ammonia (NH3)
– Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5)

• 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.

Historical emissions inventory data and ambient air quality data were used to assess the progress made with the implementation of policies and measures to date. Moreover, emission projections were produced for two policy scenarios for the years 2020 and 2030: the “With Measures” or baseline scenario, whereby emissions are projected based on  adopted policies and measures as of end 2017, and the “With Additional Measures” scenario, which reflects new policies and measures planned to be implemented in future
years.

This assessment shows that the transport sector is the major source of NOx emissions in Malta. To this effect, the NAPCP outlines a number of measures which are targeted to reduce emissions from various sectors, however the focus is on measures related to the transport sector. A reduction in NOx emissions is required for Malta to gradually reach compliance with the 2030 emission reduction commitment, as set out in the NEC Directive.

This programme is required under Directive (EU) 2016/2284 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 December 2016 on the reduction of national emissions of certain atmospheric pollutants. The new NEC Directive has been transposed into national legislation through S.L. 549.124, Limitation of Emissions of Certain Atmospheric Pollutants Regulations.

Pursuant to Article 6 of the NEC Directive and above-mentioned national legislation, every Member State must submit a National Air Pollution Control Programme (NAPCP).

2. Consultation

The public is invited to submit any feedback or comments on this Programme.

3. Documents

National Air Pollution Control Programme

4. Submission of feedback

E-mail: era.policy@era.org.mt

5. 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.