The Impact of Global Environmental Change on Transport in Malta

Authors: M. Attard

Corresponding: M. Attard (maria.attard@um.edu.mt)

Keywords: Malta, transport, sea level rise, extreme weather events

Doi: http://dx.medra.org/10.7423/XJENZA.2015.2.05

Issue: Xjenza Online Vol. 3 Iss. 2 - December 2015

Abstract:
This study addresses the impact of global environmental change, specically on transport in the Maltese Islands, with special attention to the economic implications of changes on: (i) employment, (ii) product or service growth/decline, (iii) capital investment, (iv) competitiveness and (v) skills/educational development and upgrade. Geographic and economic data from sec- ondary sources are used to support the study. The pa- per addresses the concerns of environmental change on the islands of Malta and attempts to map the extent of potential damage to the islands' transport system, namely the impact of sea level rise and extreme weather events. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are used to build a Digital Elevation Model (DEM) of the islands and simulate the effects on the road network, maritime installations and air transport infrastructures that are critical for Malta's economy and sustainability. The paper also describes the implications of such impacts. Results show that a signicant share of the islands' in- frastructure could be heavily damaged and the trans- port systems easily disrupted from predicted impacts of global environment change. The paper concludes with a call for the adoption of sustainable transport measures which address not only mitigation but also adaptation to global environmental change.

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