Country Profiles

Malta - Country Profile

The national targets (or equivalent) presented in this database are taken from the NBSAPs received since COP-10, fifth national reports or from documents submitted separately. The mapping of national targets to the Aichi Biodiversity Targets by the Party concerned is indicated in the last column “Related Aichi Target(s)”. All Parties are encouraged to undertake this mapping exercise and to submit this information to SCBD for incorporation in this database.

Reference Target Related Strategic Goals/Aichi Targets
Target 1 By 2020, more than 55% of Maltese citizens are aware of the term “biodiversity”, know what it means and also know what steps they can take to conserve and use biodiversity in a sustainable manner.
Target 2 By 2020, the values of biodiversity and ecosystem services, and the opportunities derived from their conservation and sustainable use, are recognised and integrated in national policies (including national accounting, as appropriate), as well as decision-making and planning processes.
Target 3 By 2020, positive incentives for conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity are increasingly promoted. Malta cooperates in efforts to address environmentally harmful subsidies.
Target 4 By 2020, main sectors that are beneficiaries of ecosystem services have incorporated biodiversity concerns into their sectoral and cross-sectoral plans, policies and programmes, as appropriate.
Target 5 By 2020, the rate of loss of natural and semi-natural habitats of conservation value is at least halved, and degradation and fragmentation is significantly reduced. The percentage cover of “forests and semi-natural areas” has not decreased below the CORINE land cover data of 2006.
Target 6 By 2020, pressure on vulnerable ecosystems through overexploitation of biological resources is reduced by adopting sustainable practices.
Target 7 By 2020, areas under agriculture and aquaculture are managed sustainably, ensuring the conservation of biodiversity.
Target 8 By 2020, the implementation of effective measures to address pollution (including from excess nutrients) in line with the requirements of established legislation, is showing signs of a decreasing trend in current pollution levels, where feasible.
Target 9 By 2020, measures are in place to prevent, in so far as practical, the introduction and establishment of new invasive non-native species, while those that are established are identified and prioritised for eradication or control, where feasible.
Target 10 By 2020, Malta's 13% land area covered by terrestrial Natura 2000 sites is maintained, and Malta's sufficiency in the designation of key marine biodiversity areas is improved through a representative network of marine protected areas.
Target 11 By 2020, the risk of local extirpation of known threatened species has been reduced, with 30% of the species of European Community Importance in the Maltese territory having a favourable or improved conservation status.
Target 12 By 2020, the status of crop and livestock genetic diversity in agricultural ecosystems and of wild relatives has been safeguarded and improved, where feasible.
Target 13 By 2020, vulnerable ecosystems that provide essential services are safeguarded, with at least 15% of degraded ecosystems restored, while 20% of the habitats of European Community Importance in the Maltese territory have a favourable or improved conservation status.
Target 14 By 2020, the impacts of climate change on ecosystems have been reduced, in so far as feasible and, mitigation and adaptation responses to climate change that support and conserve biodiversity have been agreed and are being implemented.
Target 15 By 2020, access to national genetic resources is regulated through a National Regime on Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS).
Target 16 Malta is implementing an effective and participatory national biodiversity strategy and action plan (NBSAP).
Target 17 By 2020, the contribution of local communities/entities to the sustainable management of biodiversity is recognised and enhanced.
Target 18 By 2020, knowledge, the science base and technologies relating to biodiversity, its values, functioning, status and trends, and the consequences of its loss, are improved and applied.
Target 19 By 2020, capacity for national implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity, other related Multilateral nvironmental Agreements (MEAs) and EU obligations, has increased from current levels.