SI-MO – Sustainability Indicators –
Malta Observatory
Report on Development of Statistical Sources for Environmental
Reporting Obligations by Malta
Joslyn Magro
George Said
31st August 2001
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1.1 Introduction
In order to provide decision makers with reliable and coherent information that might
orientate decisions towards sustainable development, the National Statistics Office in
Malta set up its environmental section in 1997 with its first mission to produce a
publication giving a general overview of Malta’s environment. Malta at a Glance
was fulfilled in 1998, describing the environment from diverse aspects through
various tables and graphs. This publication contains indicators, which are topical, and
symptomatic by illustrating conditions relating to our alarmingly high population,
housing and vehicle densities; our water and electricity resources and problems
connected with waste disposal and emissions.
At European level a regional statistical co-operation programme in response to the
Barcelona Declaration was being set up. The Medstat project was in fact aimed at
assisting the Mediterranean partners in developing their statistical services and in
enabling these countries in providing reliable, harmonized and timely statistics on a
number of priority fields. The MedEnv project was the component of Medstat tied to
environment and Blue Plan was the organization entrusted by Eurostat to fulfil the
above objectives.
Blue Plan’s tasks within MedEnv involve the following vertical components:
 Diagnosis and assessment of existing statistical systems available within
National Statistics offices
 Data valorisation and capacity strengthening on three priority topics namely
water, land and waste
 Adoption of European and international definitions and nomenclatures
 Study visits and training
 Creating the proper structure for environmental data collection through the
purchase of computer software and hardware
 Enable the development of environmental databases
 Enable the dissemination of environmental data through publications and other
means.
Following this initial step, direct contact with the Blue Plan started to evolve where
this initiative involved a more direct commitment to provide specific and elaborate
environmental data for Malta. These include: Systematic analysis of long term development and environment interactions
 Pressure of human activities on the environment
 Environmental degradation reflecting feedback effects on the economy
 Interactions among environmental components (eg. Soils, water, plant cover,
biological diversity, air quality, waste etc).
 Drawing up indicators which are able to reflect changes and adaptations to the
follow up of Agenda 21 application in the Mediterranean.
 Analysis of institutions and of national policies oriented to sustainable
development in the region.
 Development of the statistical and geographical information system for
improving access to pertinent data.
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
Cooperation with a network of scientific partners and international and
national bodies active in the Mediterranean.
A number of initiatives had to be set up within the NSO to tackle the above matters.
The first task consisted in identifying potential data sources, meeting them and
explaining to them the objective of MedEnv and their obligation in providing
environmental data for the Eurostat/OECD questionnaires through the NSO. In this
regard meetings were held with the Environment Protection Department (including
the Pollution Control Co-ordinating Unit), Department of Drainage, Department of
Health, Department of Waste (including St Antnin Recycling Plant), Works Division,
Water Services Corporation, Enemalta and the Planning Authority. A focal point in
each department was nominated so that NSO would be in a position to liase and
communicate with each organization.
The environmental topics that are monitored by Eurostat are grouped into divisions
covering a number of modules, namely:
 Environmental accounting (Module 412)
 Land use statistics (Module 611)
 Forestry statistics (Module 681)
 Waste and recycling statistics (Module 712)
 Statistics on scarce and hazardous materials (Module 713)
 Statistics on water and discharges to water (Module 714)
 Integrated emission statistics (Module 715)
 Pressure indicators and indices (Module 716)
 Environmental expenditure statistics (Module 717)
 Periodical integrated reporting (Module 718)
So as to carry out the collection of statistics relevant to each module, Eurostat in
collaboration with OECD designed a number of questionnaires. The topics covered
by these questionnaires are enlisted Appendix A in the form of a number of tables that
NSO is requested to fill on an annual basis.
Through MedEnv, Blue Plan is seeking to collect environmental data from the
participating Mediterranean countries.
The NSO’s environmental reporting obligations also cover energy statistics. To this
end the Environment Unit has been working very closely with the main data provider
namely Enemalta to obtain information on key variables. This data covers the
following topics:
 Structural statistics of energy (Module 451)
 Short-term statistics of energy (Module 452)
 Renewable energy sources (Module 453) - NA
 Energy prices (Module 454)
 Special actions to support the new community energy policies (Module 455) –
NA
 Energy consumption and combined production of electricity and heat (Module
456)
 Statistics on raw material (Module 457) – NA
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In addition this data is being supplemented by other in-house statistical compilation
exercises namely trade and business statistics.
The NSO has also been entrusted with the task of compiling data for the 130
Sustainable Development Indicators drawn up by Blue Plan. The collection of these
indicators was based on a glossary of definitions and methodologies compiled by the
Blue Plan Regional Activity Centre.
A number of these definitions and
methodologies match those which are being used by Eurostat itself in the collection of
environmental data. In addition some of the indicators are themselves variables
within the questionnaires that are compiled by the NSO on an annual basis. A full list
of these indicators is provided in Appendix B of this document.
Another initiative which has been taken up by NSO is related to the collection of
climate and weather data. As a result during the past few months the NSO has
established ongoing contact with the Meteorological Office within the Malta
International Airport. Meteorological statistics have featured in the Annual Abstract
of Statistics for a number of years, however they were never developed. Over the
past few months NSO felt that environmental data could be supplemented by using
meteorological information and as a result the Office is currently assisting this
organization in the compilation of its data. It is expected that a number of new tables
on the topic will feature in upcoming news releases and publications.
As stated above, the Environment Unit is a relatively new addition to the
organizational structure present at NSO and as a result most of the statistical sources
for the setting up of an environmental information system are currently being
developed. The following chapter will thus provide an analysis of the tasks which are
being undertaken so that NSO would be in a position to satisfy its statistical reporting
requirements at a national level.
1.2 Module 412 Environmental accounting and Module 717 Environmental
expenditure statistics
Certainly this is a very new filed of environment statistics and in fact methodologies
are still being developed. Eurostat has so far published two methodologies namely
Seriee 1994 Version and Environmental Protection Expenditure – Data collection
methods in the public sector and industry.
The Seriee manual refers to the Single European Standard Statistical Classification of
Environmental Protection Activities (CEPA) which is a classification used to
subdivide activities which are related to environment protection. The CEPA is split
into 7 different categories namely:
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air pollution (and related climatic risks)
surface water pollution
waste
soil and ground water pollution
noise and vibration
degradation of biodiversity and landscapes
radiation
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In addition each of the above divisions is in turn subdivided into the type of activity
linked to the domain. This activity ‘type’ consists of the following:
-
pollution prevention activities
pollution reduction activities – a) reduction of emissions and discharges; b)
reduction of pollution levels of environmental media
measurement and control activities
research and development activities
teaching and training activities
administrative activities.
Perhaps classifying economic activities using the above divisions will not prove to be
very difficult in the case of specialized activities such as sewerage treatment plants. In
this case details on investments, running costs etc. are easy to identify since they are
kept as part of administrative records. NSO could for a start refer to the Estimates
which are published annually so as to get initial data. This information can then be
supported by looking at annual reports of parastatal organizations.
The joint Eurostat/ OECD questionnaire on PAC (Pollution Abatement and Control)
Expenditures provides methodological notes which are easy to follow. Expenditure in
this questionnaire is divided in public sector, business sector, private households and
which private firms specializing in PAC services. For each of the above one has to
provide data on the investment or expenditure incurred, receipts from by-products,
subsidies and fees present in each domain.
A number of problems have been encountered so far in the collection of data on this
aspect of environmental reporting since most of our sources cannot easily identify
such expenditure unless it is something specific such as expenses incurred for
municipal waste collection.
Certainly the NSO will need to address this aspect of data collection in more detail.
The office is currently negotiating with an expert on the topic who will provide
assistance to the Environment Unit towards this end. In addition a concrete step was
also enacted through OPM Circular No. OPM/452/92 (Appendix C). This circular
was addressed to all government and independent statutory bodies. The objective was
to make each of these organizations compile data related to environment expenditure
so as NSO would be in a position to meet the statistical requirements which are
relevant to this domain.
1.3 Module 611 Land use statistics
During the year 2000, the NSO embarked on an aerial photography and interpretation
exercise in conjunction with the International Centre for Ocean Dynamics (ICOD) of
the Foundation of International Studies of the University of Malta. The objective of
this project entitled Agristat is to enhance the knowledge on agricultural land use.
Through the photographic interpretation the NSO aims to collect information on the
following variables:
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Total agricultural area by locality sub-divided into irrigated, dry and waste land
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Area under woodlands by locality
Area under glasshouses by locality
Area under fruit trees by type and number
Area under fodder by locality and type
Area under crops by locality and type
Area under flowers and ornamental plants
The data collected in this exercise is hoped to feed into agricultural land use statistics,
however it is certainly not exhaustive in terms of other types of land use, which are
required for environmental purposes.
Another issue which is to be tackled is that related to land use classifications which
are being used locally. From a number of meetings held at the Planning Authority,
the NSO concluded that no common land use classification is being applied within the
Planning Authority itself. This certainly is counter productive in terms of the
statistical reporting that NSO needs to undertake on this domain. Even though the
Planning Authority has been carrying out a variety of land use surveys for the
Structure Plan review, Local Plans and other projects, each task is being tackled
separately from the others, with the result that a number of differences in land use
classifications are now being found. Moreover, the Planning Authority does not seem
to use any land use definitions which are applied at an international level and this
continues to make the whole data compilation exercise more difficult for NSO.
Further investigation is required so as to make use of other sources of information or
other methodologies which are used elsewhere to collect this type of data on a regular
basis.
1.4 Module 681 Forestry statistics
The forestry statistics module entails the reporting on the extent, type of forests, forest
management and forestry products. Since the land area covered by this type of land
use is woodland rather than forest, and since this area is relatively used for
recreational purposes, not much of the module requirements are relevant to the local
situation.
1.5 Module 712 Waste and recycling statistics and Module 713 Statistics on
scarce and hazardous waste
The Eurostat/OECD questionnaire on waste provides the basis for this module. The
data providers for this questionnaire are the Waste Department and the St. Antnin
recycling plant. Currently the NSO is undertaking a very in depth exercise in order to
obtain as much data as possible from both sources. In addition further information is
being collected from published documents on the topic. Even though extensive
information is available and is being collected by this office, there are still a number
of data gaps that have to be addressed.
Waste generated is available by origin, however the classification being used was
created by the Waste Department itself. For the purposes of environmental reporting,
this office needs to compile data of generated waste by economic activity. Partial
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data is available in this respect of the following sectors: mining and quarrying,
construction and municipal waste.
Information incinerated waste only refers to 1997 whereas data on hazardous waste is
not classified using international criteria. The Waste Department has also provided
information on waste by type of collection and this is available for the last two years.
1.6 Module 714 Water use and discharges to water
Data no water statistics is based on instructions given in the joint Eurostat/OECD
questionnaire on Inland Waters. The Water Services Corporation is the major source
of data on water and it has already provided relevant information on the topic. Minor
data gaps were identified in that the Water Services Corporation could not split its
consumers by NACE ( ie a classification related to economic activity) categories as is
requested in a number of tables in the questionnaire. This minor problem is being
tackled through a working group on water and wastewater statistics which includes
members of the Water Services Corporation, the Pollution Control Coordinating Unit,
Works Division and the Drainage Department. As a result of discussions and direct
intervention by the NSO, the Water Services Corporation has almost concluded the
exercise related to the classification of its consumers by NACE and will therefore
soon be in a position to forward data on the matter to the NSO.
It is apt to point out that water can also be abstracted by private entities (an estimate
provided by the Water Services Corporation is close to 2-3 million cubic meters per
annum). There have not been any attempts from NSO to tackle this problem, however
data which is and has been collected from other in-house exercises namely agriculture
surveys and business register statistics, will be used to calculate estimates of private
water consumption or otherwise provide a list of persons to whom the Environment
Unit can address questionnaires on the matter in the future.
This module also includes the collection of data related to discharges to water.
Currently this information is being provided by the Drainage Department and the
Works Division. There are still a number of data gaps such as the distribution of
discharged wastewater by NACE categories and the chemical composition of waste
water for different years. NSO is trying to collaborate with the Drainage Department
and the Works Division to solve the data gaps, however discussions are still at an
initial phase.
1.7 Module 715 Integrated emission statistics
Statistics on air emissions are based on instructions given in the Joint Eurostat/OECD
questionnaire on air. The source of this information is the Pollution Control
Coordinating Unit within the Environment Protection Department. Data requested in
respect of this module refers to the following air emissions: Sulphur Oxides, Nitrogen
Ammonium Oxides Particulates Carbon Monoxide Volatile Organic Compounds Carbon
dioxide Methane Nitrous Oxide Lead Mercury Cadmium Chlorofluorocarbons Halons
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A breakdown by source of emission is requested for each of these variables. The
Pollution Control Coordinating Unit has provided data for 1994 and 1997. This
information is based on Corinair studies which have taken place during both years. A
number of other tables within the air questionnaire refer to annual mean
concentrations of air pollutants for selected locations around the Maltese Islands. It is
hoped that the Environment Protection Department will be in a position to provide
this data in the near future through the use of results that are now available from its
mobile unit.
1.8 Module 716 Pressure indicators and indices
This module does not entail the direct collection of data but it uses information
collected in other statistical modules or by other international organizations.
1.9 Module 718 Periodical integrated reporting
This module entails the regular reporting of environment statistics using the Joint
Eurostat/OECD questionnaire. The level of reporting is at NUTS level 1 and 2 which
for Malta refers to all the country in both cases. The frequency of this collection is
annual.
2 Energy statistics
Energy statistics is another topic, which was developed as part of the obligations
which the NSO has towards the Energy aquis negotiations paper.
As there are no fuel resources in Malta, energy is imported in various different forms.
The first task was to compile all the imports of different energy units which land on
the island. Fuel re-exports were also accounted for so as to have the energy balance of
the islands. To monitor better the trend, indices were worked out. Fuel prices and their
changes over the five past years were also accounted for, as these have effects on the
fuel demand. This is reflected in the fuel consumption charts, where preferences for
the diesel fuel are on the rise. Energy consumption was also analysed through for
large industries separately. This was done for all the manufacturing industries over the
past five years, where apart from the different types of fuel consumed, electricity and
water were also included. Complementing to this the fossil energy and the electricity
production by the power stations in Malta were also compiled.
Energy indicators are being worked out. Fuel consumption per capita was the first
indicator which was worked out. This is important indicator is being more developed
as not only the Maltese people consume fuels but also visitors. Attempt to work out
the average tourist fuel consumption is currently being computed.
Another task is to identify who are the largest consumers of energy by sector. At
present the business register within the NSO have annexed the energy consumption
and extended it for all types of industries classified by NACE.
Fuel consumption creates emissions. Statistics on this externality are also being
compiled. Up till now, NSO have emission data for the power stations over a 10 year
period. Indices for such a factor were also computed. Most emissions come from
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mobile transport sources and currently efforts are being done to collect and process
emission data for transportation sources.
A summary of energy balance and consumption statistics were published in two
separate news releases. Energy statistics are also being related to other areas within
the environmental sphere, where various indicators are being formulated.
3 Sustainable indicators
As stated earlier on the NSO is the focal point for the MAP project on Sustainable
Development Indicators. The Office’s task is to provide data for the 130 indicators on
an annual basis. The MAP Regional Activity Centre responsible for this initiative is
the Blue Plan. A glossary of terms and definitions was forwarded to the local
representative so that data for the 130 indicators could be worked out using these
concepts and definitions.(Refer to figure 2) In addition a standard excel worksheet
was provided so that each indicator would be worked out on a separate spreadsheet.
Figure 1 Pressure – State- Response (PSR) model Source: Workshop proceedings ‘F1
Environment Statistics’
The NSO was not in a position to supply data for all the 130 indicators, however the
Office managed to work out 35 per cent of the total number. A good number of the
available indicators were related to population and social trends and economically
related indicators. In addition, NSO was in a position to provide data for some of the
indicators related to the environment using data, which was collected from
Eurostat/OECD questionnaires referred to above. Moreover as the Office continues to
adopt international classifications and methodologies for the collection of data on
various statistical domains, the figures forwarded will comply to the definitions which
are used in the glossary referred to above.
It is hoped that as NSO manages to capture and develop more sources of information
the number of indicators supplied to Blue Plan for this initiative will increase.
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Figure 2 Environmental Indicators Source: Workshop proceedings ‘F1 Environment Statistics’
4 Environmental training programmes
The Blue Plan itself is also addressing the matter of environmental reporting where
training sessions covering the questionnaire topics are held every six-month period.
Up till present date five training sessions were held: F1: Setting up an environmental information system
 F2: Environmental statistics
 F3: Collecting, managing and enhancing water statistics
 F4: Landuse
 F5: Waste
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Each training session is spread over one week, where all the Mediterranean meet to
discuss their progress in the collection of data. Experts in the matter from various
environmental agencies in Europe and statistical institutes are also brought by the
Blue Plan to give lectures to the participants on the divers adoption of survey
methodologies for specific data collection. Participants also have the opportunity to
present their presentation on the topic which is being discussed.
4.1 F1 Environmental Statistics
The objective of this training session was to inform and train the Mediterranean users
on the wised range of environmental statistics related to the various topics included in
the environmental polices and sustainable development strategies.
The initial phase of this first training session consisted of a detailed analysis of the
existing statistical systems of the twelve Mediterranean countries. This was followed
by explanations of the collections of core sets of basic national data. All this was
presented in the context of the MEDSTAT programme which includes:1. Medium and long term objectives
2. Beneficiaries countries, other targets
3. Institutional and organizational aspects, management procedures
During this session the fields and main issues of environment were identified. These
are: Main physical components, Inland water, soil
 Industrial and municipal waste
 Biodiversity (fauna, flora, natural habitats)
 Landuse (mapping and survey approach)
 Natural resources (underground water, soil, forest, fisheries)
 Economy (green accounts, sectorial statistics)
 Urban environment
 Health
These frameworks and conceptual models for such environmental data organization
are also summarized by specific sets of indicators particularly, DPSIR model:- driving
forces, pressures, state, impact on the ecosystems and health, responses of the society.
According to the related environment policies and sustainable development strategies
that have been or are going to be led, the needs for environmental statistics exist at
different levels. The first level is the international one. At the international level for
many purposes and in many organizations, the most important one were briefly
presented. These are: UNEP (INFOTERRA, GRID), UNDP (Sustainable development network),
Commission on sustainable development durable (UN/CSD), FAO, WHO,
World Bank, WRI and
 European Environment Agency, European Commission and Eurostat
Apart from the international statistical needs there is also the need for statistics at
national and local levels. At national level these are found in many institutions such as
Ministry of Environment, Ministry of agriculture, Industry, Energy, Public works,
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Transport, Housing, Economy etc, However, the need also exists, also at regional and
local level for decision making and for public awareness, eg. NGO, enterprises etc.
Relationships with other national office statistical units within the National Statistics
Office (NSO) also have be developed in order to use the regular national surveys as a
source of environmental data collection. Data has to be valorized:1. through exiting statistics eg. Population census, household surveys, industrial
surveys, agriculture surveys, national accounts and expenses devoted to the
protection of the environment.
2. development of regular surveys by adding supplementary questions in already
existing surveys.
3. specific environmental surveys; eg municipal waste
4. statistical methods, advice for improving observation and monitoring systems,
environmental accounting.
However, the implementation and development of national environmental statistics
has to consider two priorities: The data demand. Stress has to be put on the necessity of strong link with the
environmental policy and sustainable development strategy, national priorities
and international demands.
 The data offer. A strong link also has to be established between the several
institutions involved at various steps of environmental data protection.
This F1 mission was concluded with a strong emphasis, that the trainees’ awareness
will be increased on their major role as facilitators and animator of national networks.
The main points of consideration are:1. Political and legal aspects
2. Thematic organizations and regional organisms
3. Output oriented activities, short term results and partner participation
4.2 F2 Setting up an environmental system
The objective of the second training session was to contribute to the strengthening
national in the National Statistics Institutes, to set up and use a full set of computer
tools adapted to their needs for collection, structuring and enhancement of
environment related statistical databases. (Refer to Figure 3)
The emphasis was:1. On the main application of statistical data integration on the environment field
in presenting the main functionalities offered by the software used within this
framework.
2. On experiences of implementation of information systems and usual statistical
dissemination products and
3. On the opportunities offered by the information and communication new
technologies.
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Figure 3 Data collection process Source: Workshop proceedings ‘F2 Setting up an environmental
information system’
An overall introduction to the Environmental Information System (EIS), management
methods and presentations based on national and regional practical experiences were
presented to the participants. One of the methodologies explained was the managing
of an environmental information systems. This involves: The acquiring of data types and sources
 Data harmonisation (ie. Data consistency, data integration, spatial
framework, geo referencing, cartography information and
nomenclature)
 Data quality (quality standards and data documentation)
 Sharing data
 Data management tools ( the conceptual approach to a data system,
data structure items, data management, data handling, data
dissemination and publishing)
This training mission also included practical sessions, where vital work was done to
understand more the operations of the database management systems (DBMS) and
Geographical Information System (GIS)
During these practical sessions, various DBMS basic principles were highlighted.
These were: Various types of information
 DBMS items and functions
 Relations and conceptual models
All these were linked to the main DBMS products which are specialized for the
environmental unit to play a key role in data structuring and management functions.
When the data is linked to cartographic data sets, this makes the environmental data a
very powerful tool. (Refer to Figure 4)
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Figure 4 Metadata collection by locators. Source:Workshop proceedings ‘F2 Setting up an
environmental information system’
The GIS basic principles were highlighted. These were the notion of geographic and
alphanumeric data, GIS items and functions. The selection of the software package
eg, Map Info or Arc view, is a very important notion because of the different
functions which each package does. It was explained that for example spatial analysis
can be done more efficient with Arc View. It is up to the National Statistics Office to
decide which software package it should adopt, depending on the database structure
on which it is working on.
This point was better illustrated by a case study showing spatial information of
BEEKS in Lebanon. Three topics were covered during such an exercise, water, land
and waste. Variable management, metadata and geographical associations of data in
terms of lines, points and polygons were explained and put to practice by the
participants.
Techniques for database creation by using MapInfo and Arc View, to view the
differences were also underlined. Such exercise consisted of the creation of views,
themes, labels and legends, entering geographical information and managing metadata
linked to geographical objects. During this sessions, the participants were also versed
with techniques in order to take the best advantage of the software presented for data
handling and analysis, whether it be alpha numeric, statistical or geo-referenced.
Publication software tools were also introduced as they are a vital stage in the
statistical information production and dissemination field. This session included
presentation of the main components and functions of computer graphics software
applications to produce graphs, cartograms, tables, and editing. Presentation of the
main components of dissemination tools and the functions required for creating new
static and dynamic internet pages with Power Point, Acrobat and front page were also
explained.
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This training programme was concluded by the presentation of a CD Rom showing
successful national experiences in the electronic publishing field by IFEN (France and
ISTAT (Italy)
4.3 F3:- Collecting, managing and enhancing water statistics
The third training mission dealt with water statistics. The session commenced with an
introductory description of the general knowledge of Hydrology. Terminology dealing
with surface water and groundwater hydrology, groundwater movement and water
quality were explained. The human impact in terms of annual water abstraction and
emissions to water were also explained.
Complex problems of information and data needs on water exist in the Mediterranean
region. The resolution of the problems are explained in figures 5 and 6.
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Figure 5 Water Data framework. Source: Workshop proceedings ‘F3 Collecting, managing and
enhancing water statistics’
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Figure 6 Water Data framework. Source: Workshop proceedings ‘F3 Collecting, managing and
enhancing water statistics’
This implies a set of conditions and measures, choice of priorities and of extent of
efforts to be done. There fore strategic, tactical and operational decisions have to be
taken. Such criteria have to be based on sound information sources. The needs for
information concern: The pressure, the causes and the impacts
 The state of resources
 The responses.
The elaboration of such information depends on the gathering and treatment of data
where these can also be expressed as indicators. These are important for the future
scenario, where such data can be vital to address critical issues. The sustainable
supply of the present and the future demand with respects to urban demand and
irrigated farming is a primary water shortage issue. Addressing the importance and
necessity of water data was one of the key objectives of this training session.
Water resources is not only a subject for knowledge but also for choice. Data
collection on renewable resources are essential. Two important components are
rainfall and surface runoff and underground flows. Data on water volumes (stocks) is
also useful to understand the factors which are more or less regulate flows in relation
to input. Such variables depend on the time and season. This make statistics on
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renewable water resources quite dynamic as they should not be limited to resources
but will have to express variations between seasons or years.
The F3 training session was concluded by summarizing the water problem in the
Mediterranean region and the diverse methodologies which each country has to adopt
to gather water data according to its geographical criteria.
4.4 F4 Defining, collecting, producing Land use and land degradation statistical
data
The fourth Med Env training puts the emphasis on statistics related to a second key
environmental topic in the Mediterranean region, ‘Land use and land degradation. It
addressed: The general environmental issues and concepts related to land topic (land
cover and landuse monitoring, conversion of land, landscape, soil
degradation, deforestation, desertification, national and coastal approaches.
 The different classification standards, nomenclatures and terminologies
used. This depends according to the needs and the measurement tools.
 The methodologies and tools used for statistical data production on local,
national and regional levels.
 The use of land statistics for indicators calculation and environmental
reporting, according to the users needs
 The implementation of information systems and usual statistical
dissemination products.
The training included presentations on the various issues and statistical production
methodologies, presentations of regional and national experiences. Most of the
sessions were organized in order to improve the understanding of the land component
of the environmental statistics questionnaire (Q2 Questionnaire). However, other
related issues like landscape, desertification and biodiversity were treated.
Figure 7 DPSIR Indicators on Land use Source: Workshop proceedings ‘F4 Defining, collecting,
producing Land use and land degradation statistical data’
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The overall introduction to the land issues in the Mediterranean region and on the
scope of land statistics. The main aims were to provide a background on the issues to
be covered and the diversity of the data to be collected and treated. This sessions
briefly introduced land statistics with emphasis on data needs, data offers and data
production. (Refer to Figure 7)
Territorial approaches and their main related environmental issues in the
Mediterranean were explained by the trainee from the European Environmental
Agency (EEA). The topics addressed were: soil sealing due to urbanization,
desertification, erosion, transport infrastructure, agriculture, ecosystems and
biodiversity. Various environmental issues from Mediterranean territories illustrated
all these. Having defined this concept, methodologies how to carry out land
inventories and the application of nomenclatures as assessment tools were described.
Such presentations included details on the European project Corine Land Cover
(CLC). This was presented as a pragmatic approach to fulfill information needs for
environmental assessments. These were accompanied by methods based on space
borne sensing, aerial photography and field surveys. Problems related to nomenclature
and mapping were also illustrated as land use information is collected in different
ways within the 15 member states. This varies in terms of nomenclature/definitions,
population of interest, use of data, type of survey, data collection mode and time
periodicity.
A classic example of this area are the traditional data sources on land use, censuses,
land registers, cadasers etc. These are created with the purpose to register ownership
and to collect taxes. This involved the set up of different classifications systems at
regional, national or international level, in order to follow the evolution of land use
within time.
Land cover and land use receive an increasing importance in the definition and
evaluation of sectorial common policies as well as in the daily local management of
the territory. This is the LUCAS project which is being done in Europe. It is based on
the area sampling frame methodologies, mixing airborne or remote sensed media and
fieldwork based on points.
Satellite images and/or digital photos can also be used as a main information for area
estimation, as a proxy variable, as a tool to improve the area frame or as a graphic
support for ground surveys. An example of this is the Agristat project of the NSO in
Malta which is being done by the collaboration of ICOD. Land cover data was
collected by first conducting a digital airborne survey and the data was classified
using the CORINEAIR Land classification nomenclature. This type of classification
was also used for soil erosion mapping and analysis. Soil is considered to be subject
to degradation when it is affected in terms of loss or deterioration of tis functions.
During this presentation, two types of land degradation were distinguished;
quantitative losses of soil (siol surface or soil depth) and qualitative losses of soil (soil
fertility, water holding capacity etc). The driving forces and pressures that cause land
degradation were also introduced. The focus was set on soil erosion where three
approaches to the quantification of soil erosion were presented: Direct measurement of soil erosion or soil erosion features
 Erosion hazard assessment (erosion risk)
19
 Modeling of soil erosion.
As data on soil erosion is very rare in most countries, some practical
recommendations were made to find existing data. The main data variables discussed
were soil compaction, reduction in organic matter, contents of soil, acidification,
salinisation and pollution by pesticides in terms of nitrates, phosphates and heavy
metals. The European Commission, through the European Soil Bureau of the Joint
Research Centre is developing a soil information system covering Europe, Eurasia
and the Mediterranean Basin. Such a system is known as European Soil Information
System (EUSIS). This contains a wealth of information on European soils.
The subject on soil degradation was concluded by defining the desertification concept.
A video on the case of the Argold region in Greece illustrated the various stages of
desertification.
The F4 training came to an end by a presentation on how the participants should share
a common understanding on land statistics with a special emphasis on common
methodologies, terminology and nomenclature in data production for feeding an
environmental information system in the 12 countries of the MEDSTAT
environmental project. This training also stressed the importance of the data quality
assessment and the reporting on data production in order to enhance and disseminate
environmental information.
4.6 F5 Waste Defining, collecting, producing waste statistical data
The Fifth Med-Env training puts the emphasis on statistics related to the third key
environmental topic in the Mediterranean region; ’Waste’. It addressed: The general environmental concepts and issues related to waste (waste
generation, composition, collection, methods of treatment, selection and
recycling, impact on environment, socio economic aspects like expenditure
and costs recovery, non observed economy, national strategy and regional
projects); including hazardous waste (generation sources, classification,
Basel convention, transboundary movements)
 The different classification standards, nomenclatures and terminologies
used for the production of statistics on waste.
 The methodologies and tools used for statistical data production
(households, industries, local authorities and service company surveys)
 The use of waste statistics for indicators calculation and environmental
reporting according to the user’s needs.
 The production and dissemination of usual statistical products
Most of the organized sessions were organized in order to improve the understanding
of the Q2 questionnaire like: Amounts of waste generated by sector including the municipal waste and
by selected waste streams
 Composition of Municipal waste
 Treatment and disposal and movements of municipal waste
20



Recycling activities and waste treatment and disposal installations
Generation of hazardous waste by waste steams
Treatment, disposal and movements of hazardous waste.
The topic was explained using the DPSIR framework applied to waste. Basic concepts
on waste data collection were explained in line with the European Classification
system. To build up a good database different information needs is needed. This
includes waste composition, different treatment processes and their impacts on the
environment (water, air and soil pollution), the economic actors (public and private),
expenses and recovery costs. A good database must have indicators. Waste indicators
have to be based and calculated. Calculation methods for assessing waste generation
using emission coefficients were presented during this seminar. This is crucial for
decision making as the Environmental Performance Indicators (EPI) have to assess
policies according to some fixed objectives before hand and the Sustainable
Development Indicator (SDI) that assess progress towards sustainable
development.(Refer to Figure 8 )
Physical and economical waste accounting was also treated during this training.
Demonstrating the SERIEE system through French examples, calculations were
presented for the main waste flows. Descriptions and definitions of the stakeholders
and their economic contributions. Such contributions were integrated in the
accounting framework proposed in the SERIEE. Concrete examples on different
waste information sources were also delivered. These included: Surveys on local authorities for the household and waste management
 Surveys on companies for waste production and waste management
 Assessments of the waste flows based on the indirect sources
 Use of administrative sources
All this was explained within the European Waste catalog framework in line with the
EEC nomenclature used in the Q2 waste questionnaire. Recent changes in waste
questionnaires were also explained in accordance with European regulation
frameworks. One of the frameworks highlighted was the “European Council
Regulation on waste management statistics”, whose objective is to establish a
framework for the production of European Community statistics on waste
management. Comparisons between the waste classifications used in this regulation
and in the European Waste Catalog were also emphasized on.
The hazardous waste topic was treated separately where a specific classification used
in the OECD/EUROSTAT joint questionnaire was presented. This was compared
with the classification used by the Basel Convention.
The last topic, which was discussed, was waste management and environmental
impact. Various waste management modalities were presented. These included;
collection, transport, sorting, composting, incineration etc. These were linked with the
treatment channels and potential impacts on the environment and human health. In
view of such problems, recycling activities were presented. These included different
technical processes and optimization phases of the municipal waste strengthened by
discussing the economic aspects of waste management in the European countries by
comparing the available data on costs and recovery, according to the various traffic
21
modes. The following points were also addressed; data availability, collection
methods, definitions and the possible improvements of the statistics production.
The training came to an end by various presentations of by various countries in the
Mediterranean region, describing their survey methodologies and their data analysis.
These were followed by discussions on data gaps and difficulties encountered with
each survey methodology.
Figure 8 DPSIR Waste Indicators Source: Workshop proceedings ‘F5 Defining, collecting,
producing waste statistical data’
22
Conclusion
This is the initial work of the Environment unit within the NSO. The targets are to
create databases and supply data sets. Various datasets are being lifted up from
diverse data bases within the NSO and other governmental organizations. The aim is
to create dynamic data, which provides flexibility and integrity. This concept is trying
to be fulfilled by geo referencing the compiled data. GIS software is being used for
this aim and different data layers are being digitized. Such purpose is to build up a
model which aids to the set up of a definite set of sustainability indicators. At present
work is being done on land cover and climate data sets. Overlying of these two data
sets will reveal which zones in Malta are prone to soil erosion.
Data sets methodologies are being structured as indicated by the EU directives and
classification nomenclatures. Regular meetings at EUROSTAT and active
participation within the MEDSTAT project are being attended in order to be in line
with the European statistical standards. Study visits and collaboration with diverse
European statistical institutes are also being organized so as to review the work that is
being done. This is contributing a lot to the NSO, where the compilation of the data is
now being processed through different methodologies. Such exercise is crucial in
setting up indicators for the Maltese Islands.
23
Appendix A
24
Air
1
2a
2b
3a
3b
4
5
6a
6b
7
8a
8b
8c
9
10
11
12a
12b
13
14
15
Annual Emission Estimates of Air Pollutants
Sulphur Oxides
Nitrogen Oxides
Ammonium
Particulates
Particulates < 10µm
Carbon Monoxide
Volatile Organic Compounds (non-methane)
Carbon dioxide
Methane
Nitrous Oxide
Lead
Mercury
Cadmium
Chlorofluorocarbons
Halons
Annual Mean Concentrations of Air Pollutants
Trends in Annual Means of SO2 Concentrations
Trends in Annual Means of Suspended Particulates Concentrations
Trends in Annual Means of Suspended Particulates Concentrations
Trends in Annual Means of NO2 Concentrations
Trends in Annual Maximum Hourly Concentrations of Oxidants
Trends in Annual Means of Lead Concentrations
16
Acid Precipitation
Trends in Annual Mean pH Values of Acid Precipitation
17
18
Trends in Annual Means of SO42- contained in Acid Precipitation
Trends in Annual Means of NO3- contained in Acid Precipitation
Air addendum
Additional tables and technical data:
A1a
A1b
A1c
A1d
A1e
A2
B1
B2
C1
C2
Estimation methods and definitions related to pollutants emissions - Pollutants covered
Estimation methods and definitions related to pollutants emissions - Pollutant
definitions (revised table)
Estimation methods and definitions related to pollutants emissions - Emissions
sources (revised table)
Estimation methods and definitions related to pollutants' emissions - Correspondence
table of sources
Estimation methods and definitions related to pollutants emissions - Estimation
methods (revised table)
Trends in the stocks of motor vehicles.
Number of fixed monitoring stations, latest year available.
Measured air quality status, latest year available.
Acid precipitation : Outline of monitoring.
Aspects of selected regions in tables 16 - 18
Forest
1A
Forest Area by Species Group
25
1B
2A
2B
3A
3B
4
5
Forest Area by major uses, and by management and protection status
Forest Area Balance: Net Land Use Changes
Forest Area Balance: Internal Disturbances
Growing Stock and Woody Biomass on Forest
Growing Stock on Forest by Major Tree Genera
Depletion and Growth of Forest Resources in terms of Volume
Forest Ownership
Inland Waters
1a
1b_IF
1b_OF
1c
2
3
4
5
6
7
Renewable water Resources
Annual inflow from partner countries
Annual outflow to partner countries
Estimation of renewable Water resources
Annual water abstraction by source and by sector
Water consumption by supply category and by sector
National population connected to waste water treatment plants
Treatment capacity of waste water treatment plants in terms of volume
Sewage sludge production and disposal
Generation and discharge of waste water
Inland waters addendum
2A_a
2A_b
Quality of abstracted water for public supply by source
Quality of abstracted water for public supply, by source
Land use
1
2
3
Land use, 1950-1999
Change in land use, 1950-1999
Land degradation: soil erosion, 1950-1999
Marine environment
1
2
3
4
5
6
7m
7c
7f
7mb
DISCHARGES INTO THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT
Pollution originating from the coast
Pollution originating from coastal industries
Pollution originating from rivers
QUALITY OF THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT
Description of coastal zones
Bacteriological quality of marine waters
Concentration of pollutants in sea water and sediments
Concentration of pollutants in living matter - MOLLUSCS
Concentration of pollutants in living matter - CRUSTACEANS
Concentration of pollutants in living matter - FISH
Concentration of pollutants in living matter - MAMMALS/BIRDS
PAC
1
2
3
2A
2B
Public Sector
Business Sector
Private households
Agriculture, hunting, fishing, forestry
Mining, quarrying
26
2C
2C_Add
2D
2E
4
Add_NP
Total manufacturing
Total manufacturing industries
Electricity, gas, water
Other
Private firms specialising in PAC services
Addendum: NATURE PROTECTION
Waste
1
2a
2b
3
4a
4b
5a
5b
5c
6
Generation of Waste by Sector
Generation, Recovery and Recycling of Selected Waste Streams
Generation of Selected Waste Streams
Generation, Treatment and Disposal of Non-hazardous Industrial Waste
Generation, Treatment and Disposal of Hazardous Waste
Generation of Hazardous Waste by Category
Generation and Collection of Municipal Waste
Composition of Municipal Waste
Treatment and Disposal of Municipal Waste
Waste Treatment and Disposal Installations
Wildlife
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Animal population statistics
Mammals
Birds
Reptiles
Amphibians
Fish
Invertebrates
Vascular plants
Non-vascular plants
27
Appendix B
28
THEME
PRESSURE
STATE
RESPONSE
1 POPULATION AND SOCIETY
1.1 DEMOGRAPHY 1. Population growth
AND POPULATION rate (4,4)
1.2 STANDARD
OF LIFE,
EMPLOYMENT,
SOCIAL
INEQUITIES,
POVERTY,
UNEMPLOYME
NT
1.3 CULTURE,
EDUCATION,
TRAINING,
AWARENESS
IMPROVEMENT
2. Total fertility
rate (4,4)
3. Women per
5. Employment
hundred men in the rate (4,4)
labour force (4,4)
4. Human poverty
index (HPI) (4,3)
6. School enrolment 7. Difference
gross ratio(4,4)
between male and
female school
enrolment ratios
(4,4)
1.4 HEALTH,
PUBLIC
HEALTH
9. Share of private
and public finances
allocated to the
professional training
(4,3)
8. Production of
cultural goods (4,4)
10. Public
expenditure for the
conservation and
value enhancement
of natural, cultural
and historical
heritage (4,3)
11. Life expectancy
at birth (4,4)
13. Access to safe
drinking water
(4,3)
12. Infant mortality
rate (4,4)
1.5
CONSUMPTION
AND
PRODUCTION
PATTERNS
14. Annual energy
consumption per
inhabitant (4,4)
16. Main telephones
lines per 100
inhabitants (4,4)
17. Distribution of
15. Number of
passengers cars per food consumption per
100 inhabitants (4,4) income decile (4,3)
2 LANDS AND AREAS
2.1 HABITAT AND 18. Urban
URBAN
population growth
SYSTEM
rate (4,4)
20. Urbanisation rate
(4,4)
29
THEME
PRESSURE
STATE
RESPONSE
19. Loss of
21. Floor area per
agricultural land due person (4,3)
to urbanisation (4,2)
2.2 RURAL AND 22. Population change
DRY AREAS,
in moutains areas
MOUNTAINS
(4,4)
AND
HINTERLAND
2.3 FORESTS
23. Existence of
program(s)
concerning the less
favoured rural zones
(4,4)
24. Exploitation index 25. Forest area (4,4) 26. Forest
of forest resources
protection rate
(4,3)
(44)
2.4 LITTORAL
27. Artificialized
AND
coastline / Total
"LITTORALISATION coastline (4,3)
"
28. Number of
tourists per km of
coastline (4,4)
30. Population
33. Protected
coastal area (4,3)
growth in
Mediterranean
coastal regions (4,4)
31. Population
density in coastal
regions (4,4)
29. Number of
32. Coastline erosion
moorings in yachting (4,3) (fiche)
harbours (4,3)
2.5 SEA
34. Oil tanker traffic
(4,4)
35. Global quality of
coastal waters (4,2)
39. Protection of
specific ecosystems
(4,3)
36. Density of the
solid waste disposed
in the sea (4,2)
40. Existence of
monitoring
programs
concerning
pollutants input
(4,3)
37. Coastal waters
quality in some main
"hot spots" (4,2)
41. Wastewater
treatment rate before
sea release for
coastal
agglomerations over
100 000 inhabitants
(4,3)
38. Quality of
biophysical
environment (4,2)
42. Harbour
equipment ratio in
unballasting
facilities (4,3)
30
THEME
PRESSURE
STATE
RESPONSE
3. ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES AND SUSTAINABILITY
3.1 GLOBAL
ECONOMY
43. Distribution of
GDP (Agriculture,
Industry, Services)
(4,4)
45. External debt /
GDP (4,4)
44. Foreign Direct
Investment (4,4)
46. Saving /
investment (4,3)
47. Public deficit /
GDP (4,4)
48. Current
payments / GDP
(4,4)
49. Employment
distribution
(Agriculture,
Industry, Services)
(4,4)
3.2 AGRICULTURE
50. Uses of agricultural 54. "Arable area"
pesticides
per capita (4,4)
51. Use of fertilisers
per hectare of
agricultural land (4,3)
57. Water use
efficiency for
irrigation (4,2)
52. Share of irrigated 55. Rate of food
agricultural land (4,4) dependence (4,3)
3.3 FISHERIES,
AQUACULTURE
3.4 MINES,
INDUSTRY
53. Agriculture water
demand per irrigated
area (4,3)
56. Annual average
of wheat yield (4,4)
58. Value of halieutic
catches at constant
prices (4,3)
60. Fishing
production per
broad species
groups (4,4)
59. Number and
average power of
fishing boats (4,4)
61. Production of
aquaculture (4,4)
63. Industrial releases
into water (4,2)
64. Intensity of
material use (4,3)
62. Public
expenditures on fish
stocks monitoring
(4,3)
31
3.2 AGRICULTURE
50. Uses of agricultural 54. "Arable area"
pesticides
per capita (4,4)
51. Use of fertilisers
per hectare of
agricultural land (4,3)
57. Water use
efficiency for
irrigation (4,2)
65. Number of mines
and carries
rehabilitated after
exploitation (4,2)
3.5 SERVICES AND
66. Turnover
distribution of
commerce according
to the number of
employees (4,3)
COMMERCE
68. Existence of
restrictive
legislations on the
setting up of
hypermarkets (4,4)
67. Share of
merchant services to
the enterprises (4,3)
3.6 ENERGY
69. Energy intensity
(4,4)
71. Share of
consumption of
renewable energy
resources (4,3)
70. Energy balance
(4,4)
3.7 TRANSPORTS
72. Average annual
73. Structure of
distance covered per transport by mode
(4,4)
passenger car (4,4)
75. Share of
collective transport
(4,4)
74. Density of the
road network (4,4)
3.8 TOURISM
76. Number of nights 81. Share of tourism 83. Public
expenditure on
per 100 inhabitants receipts in the
tourism sites
(4,4)
exportations (4,4)
conservation (4,2)
77. Number of
82. Currency balance
secondary homes over due to tourism
total number of
activities (4,3)
residences (4,3)
78. Number of bedplaces per 100
inhabitants (4,4)
32
79. Public expenditure
on tourism
development (4,3)
80. Number of
international tourists
per 100 inhabitants
(4,4)
4 ENVIRONMENT
4.1
84. Exploitation index
FRESHWATER of renewable
AND WASTE
resources (4,3)
WATER
85. Non-sustainable
water production
index (4,3)
86. Share of
distributed water not
conform to quality
standards (4,2)
88. Share of
collected and treated
wastewater by the
public sewerage
system (4,3)
87. Water global
quality index (4,2)
89. Existence of
economic tools to
recover the water
cost in various sector
(4,3)
90. Drinking water
use efficiency (4,3)
91. Share of
industrial wastewater
treated on site (4,3)
4.2 SOILS,
92. Ratio of land
VEGETATION
exploitation (4,4)
AND
DESERTIFICATION
93. Land use change
(4,3)
94. "Arable area"
change (4,3)
4.3 BIOLOGICAL 95. Wetland area
DIVERSITY,
(4,4)
ECOSYSTEMS
98. Threatened
species (4,3)
99. Total expenditure
on protected areas
management (4,3)
96. Number of turtles
caught per year (4,3)
97. Share of fishing
fleet using barge
(4,3)
33
4.3 BIOLOGICAL 95. Wetland area
DIVERSITY,
(4,4)
ECOSYSTEMS
4.4 SOLID,
INDUSTRIAL
AND
HAZARDOUS
WASTE
98. Threatened
species (4,3)
99. Total expenditure
on protected areas
management (4,3)
100. Generation of 104. Area of land
municipal solid waste contaminated by
(4,3)
hazardous wastes
(4,2)
106. Minimisation of
waste production
(4,3)
101. Generation of
hazardous wastes
(4,2)
107. Cost recovery
index of municipal
wastes (4,3)
105. Distribution of
municipal wastes
(4,3)
102. Imports and
exports of hazardous
wastes (4,2)
108. Destination of
household wastes
(4,3)
103. Generation of
industrial solid
wastes (4,3)
109. Collection rate
of household wastes
(4,3)
4.5 AIR QUALITY 110. Emissions of
greenhouse gasses
(4,3)
114. Frequency of
excess over air
standard (ozone)
(4,3)
115. Expenditure on
air pollution
abatement (4,3)
111. Emissions of
sulphur oxides (4,3)
116. Share of clean
fuels consumption in
total motor fuels
consumption (4,4)
112. Emissions of
nitrogen oxides (4,3)
117. Share of
agglomerations over
100 000 inhabitants
equipped with a air
pollution monitoring
network (4,4)
113. Consumption
of ozone depleting
substances (4,2)
34
4.3 BIOLOGICAL 95. Wetland area
DIVERSITY,
(4,4)
ECOSYSTEMS
98. Threatened
species (4,3)
4.6 NATURAL AND 118. Number of sites 119. Economic
TECHNOLOGICAL
with high risk (4,3) impact of natural
RISKS
disasters (4,3)
99. Total expenditure
on protected areas
management (4,3)
121. Existence of
intervention plans
(4,4)
120. Burnt area per
year (4,4)
5 THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: ACTORS AND POLICIES
5.1 ACTORS OF
THE
SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT
122. Number of
direct employments
linked to the
environment (4,2)
123. Number of
associations involved
in environment
and/or sustainable
development (4,3)
124. Number of
enterprises engaged
in "environment
management"
processes (4,3)
5.2 POLICIES AND
STRATEGIES OF
THE
SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT
125. Public
expenditure on
environmental
protection as a
percent of GDP (4,2)
126. Existence of
environment national
plans and/or
sustainable
development
strategies (4,3)
127. Number of
Agendas 21 adopted
by local authorities
(4,4)
35
6 EXCHANGES AND COOPERATION IN THE MEDITERRANEAN
6.1
128. Openness rate of
INTERNATIONAL GDP (4,4)
TRADE, FREE
TRADE ZONE
AND
ENVIRONMENT
6.2 OTHER
MEDITERRANEAN
EXCHANGES
6.3
MEDITERRANEA
N COOPERATION
IN THE FIELDS
OF
ENVIRONMENT
AND
SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT
129. Net migration
rate (4,4)
130. Public
development
assistance coming
from abroad (4,3)
36
Appendix C
37
References
COS Workplan 2000, Internal Document, Valletta 2000
COS Workplan 2001, Internal Document, Valletta 2001
Croi W, Technical assistance to COS Malta on AGRISTAT Remote Sensing Project
final Report, March 2000
SERIEE 1994 Version, Luxembourg; Eurostat, 1994
Statistical Requirements Compendium. Luxembourg: EuroStat, 1998
Workshop proceedings ‘F1 Environment Statistics’ 25-28/10/1999 Nice, France
Workshop proceedings ‘F2 Setting up an environmental information system’ 2428/1/2000 Nice, France
Workshop proceedings ‘F3 Collecting, managing and enhancing water statistics’ 2804/7/2000 Cannes
Workshop proceedings ‘F4 Defining, collecting, producing Land use and land
degradation statistical data’ 29/01- 02/02/2001 Malta
Workshop proceedings ‘F5 Defining, collecting, producing waste statistical data’ 913/07/2001 Istanbul, Turkey
38