Malta: environment

What are Malta's CO2 emissions per capita?

Malta emitted 3.18 tonnes of carbon dioxide per person in 2024, excluding land use, land-use change and forestry, according to World Bank data. The figure was 3.23 tonnes in 2023.

Counting all greenhouse gases, Malta's emissions were 2,170.21 thousand tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2024, excluding land use and memo items, according to Eurostat. That was 1.7% lower than in 2023. The World Bank figure covers carbon dioxide only, while Eurostat's total also includes methane, nitrous oxide and fluorinated gases.

Official sources: World Bank: CO2 emissions per capita, Malta · Eurostat: greenhouse gas emissions, Malta

How much of Malta's emissions come from transport?

Transport produced 787.68 thousand tonnes of CO2 equivalent in Malta in 2024, about 36.3% of total greenhouse gas emissions of 2,170.21 thousand tonnes excluding land use, according to Eurostat. Road transport alone produced 690.24 thousand tonnes.

Fuel burned in public electricity and heat production produced 737.35 thousand tonnes, down from 799.53 thousand in 2023, while transport emissions rose from 765.24 thousand. Malta's total emissions were 2,987.42 thousand tonnes in 2005 and 2,624.68 thousand in 1990, according to Eurostat, so 2024 emissions were about 27% below the 2005 level.

Official sources: Eurostat: greenhouse gas emissions by sector, Malta · Eurostat: greenhouse gas emissions, Malta, 1990 and 2005

What share of Malta's energy is renewable?

Renewable sources provided 18.8% of Malta's gross final energy consumption in 2025, a provisional figure, up from 17.21% in 2024 and 15.44% in 2023, according to Eurostat. The EU average was 26.2% in 2025, also provisional.

Renewables supplied 11.2% of electricity in 2025 (provisional), 59.2% of heating and cooling in 2024 and 11.4% of energy used in transport in 2024. The overall share is calculated under the EU's renewable energy rules, which count heating and cooling, electricity and transport together.

Official sources: Eurostat: renewable energy share, Malta · Eurostat: renewable energy share, Malta and EU

How much waste does Malta produce?

Malta generated 622 kg of municipal waste per person in 2024, up from 603 kg in 2023, according to Eurostat.

Of this, 448 kg per person went to landfill or other disposal in 2024 and 103 kg was recycled as material. Municipal waste covers waste from households and similar waste from businesses and public services. The remainder was handled through other treatment operations, which Eurostat reports separately.

Official sources: Eurostat: municipal waste, Malta

What is Malta's carbon footprint per person?

In 2024, carbon dioxide emissions per person in Malta was 3.2 tonnes, according to the European Commission's EDGAR database. The peak was 6.7 tonnes in 2007 and the low 3.0 tonnes in 2016. It is 12th highest of 22 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 3.6 tonnes. Of 186 countries with 2024 data, 81st highest.

What are Malta's total greenhouse gas emissions?

The European Commission's EDGAR database puts total greenhouse gas emissions in Malta at 2.2 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2024. Since 2005 it has ranged from 1.8 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent (2016) to 3.1 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent (2008). It is 22nd highest of 22 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 103 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent. Worldwide: 160th of 186.

How much of Malta's energy is renewable?

In 2021, the renewable share of final energy use in Malta was 8.6%, according to the IEA, IRENA, the UN Statistics Division, the World Bank and the WHO. Since 2005 it has ranged from 0.1% (2005) to 9.2% (2016). Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 3.4%; Malta is 7th highest of 22. Worldwide: 150th of 191.

How much of Malta is forest?

1.5%: that is forest area as a share of land in Malta for 2024, according to the FAO. No year since 2005 has been higher. Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 1.6%; Malta is 12th highest of 22. Worldwide: 174th of 190.

What is PM2.5 air pollution in Malta?

In 2023, average exposure to fine particle air pollution (PM2.5) in Malta was 10.8 micrograms per cubic metre, according to the Global Burden of Disease study. Its high point since 2005 was 2005, at 15.4 micrograms per cubic metre; its low point was 2020, at 10.4 micrograms per cubic metre. Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 40.3 micrograms per cubic metre; Malta is 22nd highest of 22. Of 192 countries with 2023 data, 149th highest.

What share of Malta is protected land?

According to the UN Environment Programme, the share of land in protected areas in Malta was 29.0% in 2025. The peak was 30.6% in 2020 and the low 23.0% in 2013. It is 1st highest of 22 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 9.8%. World rank, highest first: 37th of 192.

How much of Malta's fresh water is used?

According to the FAO, water stress in Malta was 72.6% in 2022. Since 2005 it has ranged from 62.8% (2009) to 91.3% (2013). Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 116.7%, and Malta placed 16th highest of 21. Worldwide: 23rd of 175.