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 1 Executive Summary This report provides an overview of the reporting obligations that this office has in terms of environment related statistics. The first part of the report describes the initiatives taken up by the National Statistics office and the steps taken up by the Med Stat project to address the collection of environmental data. A description of the various modules, which are covered by Eurostat, is also given with the relevant action by the National Statistics Office to include these topics within its reporting obligations. The fourth chapter covers the environmental training programme, which have been attended by members of the environment unit NSO and provides a description of the topics covered within each programme. All statistical data are compliant with the EC directives as indicated in various international reports and classifications. Having compiled the basic statistical data environmental pressure indicators are being worked out. This report also gives a brief overview of such work being done at the National Statistics Office. 2 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 being production of a publication giving a general overview of Malta’s environment. Malta at a Glance was produced in 1998, describing the environment from different 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 to provide reliable, harmonized and timely statistics on a number of priority fields. The MedEnv project was the component of Medstat tied to the environment and Blue Plan was the organization entrusted by Eurostat to fulfil the above objectives. The Blue Plan’s task within the MedEnv sub programme involves the following vertical components: The diagnosis and assessment of existing statistical systems available within the National Statistics offices; Data valorisation and capacity strengthening on three priority topics namely water, land and waste; The adoption of European and international definitions and nomenclatures; Study visits and training; The creation of proper structures for environmental data collection through the purchase of computer software and hardware; Enabling the development of environmental databases; Enabling 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: The systematic analysis of long term development and environment interactions; The pressure of human activities on the environment; The environmental degradation reflecting feedback effects on the economy; The interactions among environmental components (eg. Soils, water, plant cover, biological diversity, air quality, waste etc); The drawing up indicators which are able to reflect changes and adaptations to the follow up of Agenda 21 application in the Mediterranean; The analysis of institutions and of national policies oriented to sustainable development in the region; 3 The development of the statistical and geographical information system for improving access to pertinent data; The 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 in order to tackle the above mentioned areas. The first task consisted in identification of 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 the 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 listed in Appendix A in the form of a number of tables that the NSO is requested to fill on an annual basis. Through the 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; 4 Energy consumption and combined production of electricity and heat (Module 456); Statistics on raw material (Module 457) – NA. In addition this data is being supplemented by other in-house statistical compilation exercises. 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 the 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 the 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 of the 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 the 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 field 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 that are related to environment protection. The CEPA is split into 7 different categories namely: air pollution (and related climatic risks); surface water pollution; waste; soil and ground water pollution; 5 noise and vibration; degradation of biodiversity and landscapes; radiation. 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. The 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 taken 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 that 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 this project, the NSO aims to collect information on the following variables: 6 Total agricultural area by locality sub-divided into irrigated, dry and waste land 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 through this exercise will 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 the NSO needs to undertake 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 the 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, 7 this office needs to compile data of generated waste by economic activity. Partial 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 on 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, the 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 has not been any attempt by the NSO to tackle this problem directly. However data which is and has been collected from other in-house exercises namely agricultural and business statistics surveys, 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. The NSO is trying to collaborate with the Drainage Department and the Works Division to fill the data gaps. However discussions are still at an early stage. 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 8 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 in satisfying the Energy statistics acquis obligations. Since 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 this statistics on fossil fuel energy and 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 that was worked out. This is an important indicator and is being developed further since not only the Maltese people consume fuels but also visitors. Attempts to work out the average tourist fuel consumption are currently being made. Another task is to identify 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, the NSO had emission data for the power stations over a 10 9 year period. Indices for such a factor were also computed. Most emissions come from mobile transport sources and currently efforts are being made to collect and process emission data from 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 these indicators. A good number of the available indicators were related to population and social trends and economically related indicators. In addition, the 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. 10 It is hoped that as the NSO manages to capture and develop more sources of information the number of indicators supplied to the Blue Plan for this initiative will increase. 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. To date five training sessions were held, namely: F1: Setting up an environmental information system; F2: Environmental statistics; F3: Collecting, managing and enhancing water statistics; 11 F4: Landuse; F5: Waste. Each training session is spread over one week, where all the Mediterranean countries 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 adoption of survey methodologies for specific data collection. Participants also have the opportunity to present their presentation on the topic being discussed. 4.1 F1 Environmental Statistics The objective of this training session was to inform and train the Mediterranean users on the wide range of environmental statistics related to the various topics included in environmental policies 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. Beneficiary countries, other targets 3. Institutional and organizational aspects, management procedures During this session the fields and main issues of the 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 12 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 the Environment, the Ministry of agriculture, Industry, Energy, Public works, Transport, Housing, Economy etc, However, the need also exists, at a regional and local level for decision making and for public awareness, eg. NGO, enterprises etc. The relationships with other 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 through:1. exiting statistics eg. Population census, household surveys, industrial surveys, agriculture surveys, national accounts and expenditure devoted to the protection of the environment; 2. the 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 aimed at the strengthening of the National Statistics Institutes, and the setting up and use a full set of computer tools adapted to the collection, structuring and enhancement of environment related statistics. (Refer to Figure 3) The emphasis was:1. On the main application of statistical data integration in 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. 13 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 system. 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) 14 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 session, the participants were also acquiainted 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 the 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. 15 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. 16 Figure 5 Water Data framework. Source: Workshop proceedings ‘F3 Collecting, managing and enhancing water statistics’ 17 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. Therefore 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 respect 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 more or less regulate flows in relation to input. Such variables depend on the time and season. This make statistics on 18 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 programme put 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 (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 on 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’ 19 An overall introduction was made on 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 session 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, cadastre etc. These are created in order 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 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 its functions. During this presentation, two types of land degradation were distinguished; quantitative losses of soil (soil 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) Modelling of soil erosion. 20 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 Defining, collecting and producing waste statistical data The Fifth Med-Env training programme put 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 sessions were organized in order to improve the understanding of the Q2 questionnaire like: Amounts of waste generated by sector including municipal waste and by selected waste streams Composition of Municipal waste Treatment and disposal and movements of municipal waste Recycling activities and waste treatment and disposal installations 21 Generation of hazardous waste by waste steams Treatment, disposal and movements of hazardous waste. The topic was explained by using the DPSIR framework as 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. 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 economic 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 household waste production and waste management; Surveys on companies for waste production and waste management; Assessments of the waste flows based on 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 made. The hazardous waste topic was treated separately. 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, that was discussed, was waste management and its 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 modes. The following points were also addressed; data availability, collection 22 methods, definitions and the possible improvements of the statistics production modes. The training came to an end with 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’ 23 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 compiled from different data bases within the NSO and other governmental organizations. The aim is to create dynamic databases, which provides flexibility and integrity. This concept is to be fulfilled by geo referencing the compiled data. GIS software is being used for this aim and different data layers are being digitized. The purpose is to build up a model that helps the setting up of a definite set of sustainability indicators. At present work is being done on land cover and climate data sets. An overlay of these two data sets reveals 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 different 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 an exercise is crucial in setting up indicators for the Maltese Islands. 24 Appendix A Q2 Questionnaires tables 25 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 1B Forest Area by Species Group Forest Area by major uses, and by management and protection status 26 2A 2B 3A 3B 4 5 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 2C 2C_Add 2D 2E Public Sector Business Sector Private households Agriculture, hunting, fishing, forestry Mining, quarrying Total manufacturing Total manufacturing industries Electricity, gas, water Other 27 4 Add_NP 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 Appendix B 28 Blue Plan 130 Indicators THEME PRESSURE STATE RESPONSE 1 POPULATION AND SOCIETY 29 THEME PRESSURE STATE 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 RESPONSE 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) 19. Loss of 21. Floor area per agricultural land due person (4,3) to urbanisation (4,2) 30 THEME PRESSURE STATE 2.2 RURAL AND 22. Population change DRY AREAS, in moutains areas MOUNTAINS (4,4) AND HINTERLAND 2.3 FORESTS RESPONSE 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) 3. ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES AND SUSTAINABILITY 31 THEME 3.1 GLOBAL ECONOMY PRESSURE STATE 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) RESPONSE 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) 65. Number of mines and carries rehabilitated after exploitation (4,2) 32 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) 3.5 SERVICES AND 66. Turnover distribution of commerce according to the number of employees (4,3) COMMERCE 57. Water use efficiency for irrigation (4,2) 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) 79. Public expenditure on tourism development (4,3) 33 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) 4.4 SOLID, INDUSTRIAL AND HAZARDOUS 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) 34 4.3 BIOLOGICAL 95. Wetland area DIVERSITY, (4,4) ECOSYSTEMS 98. Threatened species (4,3) 99. Total expenditure on protected areas management (4,3) WASTE 105. Distribution of municipal wastes (4,3) 107. Cost recovery index of municipal wastes (4,3) 101. Generation of hazardous wastes (4,2) 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) 4.6 NATURAL AND 118. Number of sites 119. Economic TECHNOLOGICAL with high risk (4,3) impact of natural RISKS disasters (4,3) 121. Existence of intervention plans (4,4) 35 4.3 BIOLOGICAL 95. Wetland area DIVERSITY, (4,4) ECOSYSTEMS 98. Threatened species (4,3) 99. Total expenditure on protected areas management (4,3) 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) 6 EXCHANGES AND COOPERATION IN THE MEDITERRANEAN 6.1 128. Openness rate of INTERNATIONAL GDP (4,4) 36 TRADE, FREE TRADE ZONE AND ENVIRONMENT 6.2 OTHER MEDITERRANEAN EXCHANGES 129. Net migration rate (4,4) 6.3 MEDITERRANEA N COOPERATION IN THE FIELDS OF ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT 130. Public development assistance coming from abroad (4,3) Appendix C Environmental Protection Expenditure Accounts OPM Circular 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 38 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 39