https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/103902 2026-04-15T01:16:26Z 2026-04-15T01:16:26Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/115470 2023-11-13T09:49:58Z 2022-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Mitigating climate change through sustainable mobility : a framework for developing low-carbon transport policies Abstract: Climate change mitigation and reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions have become one of the most important global challenges. Transport is one of the sectors that contribute significantly to GHG emissions. It is one of the few sectors where emissions have continued to grow. Road transport is the largest contributor within the transport sector and further growth in the demand for personal transport is forecasted as the world population continues to grow. Despite the significant contribution of transport, the sector has taken a relatively low profile when it comes to emission reduction. Transition to more sustainable travel is proving to be difficult to achieve, and if the climate change mitigation targets are to be reached, alternative and trend-breaking transport futures are required. This research adopted a Theory of Social Practice as the conceptual framework for analysis to understand what type of alternative transport policies could lead to a significant reduction in the levels of emissions. To explore these alternatives, a backcasting framework was used which enabled visioning of these alternative and design of pathways to reach them. This framework and the impact of perspectives from the Theory of Social Practice on climate transport policies was tested in a case-study approach. This research was focused on the case of Malta which presents a setting with high population density and a high car-dependency and a case where transition to more sustainable forms of transport has proved to be challenging. The aim of the research was to analyse how a transition to low-carbon mobility can help to achieve climate change mitigation targets. This aim was reached through a combination of qualitative and quantitative methodological tools which served to i) provide a picture of the current situation in terms of mobility practices; ii) develop alternative transport and more sustainable futures for Malta; iii) test the potential of these futures to limit emissions; iii) design policies which can lead to these futures. Mobility practices in Malta were found to be dominated by the reliance on the car. These results were further complimented with other findings on the current travel conditions in the case study. Survey data revealed that the demand for travel and travel choices are shaped by the range of activities and daily routines of the inhabitants of the islands. Participation of a range of stakeholders in the visioning of alternative futures provided a space for discussions and brought together different ideas about what a sustainable transport future in Malta would look like. The results of the transport modelling exercise showed how significant emission reduction from transport is challenging and achieving the climate change mitigation targets might need an integrated approach and a mix of alternatives. The results of the research show how designing transport policies using concepts from the Theory of Social Practice can provide a broader range of influence and can help to provide insights into how transport choices can be influenced by interventions in non-transport sectors. The findings and recommendations of this study contribute to a better understanding of how transport policy making can benefit from social science perspectives and emerging theories, such as the Theory of Social Practice. The results of this research and how the analysis mobility and other everyday social practices could open new possibilities for the transition towards more sustainable transport futures. Description: Ph.D.(Melit.)

2022-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/103953 2022-11-24T08:21:35Z 2022-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Investigating the involvement of plastic in the agriculture industry in the Maltese Islands Abstract: In the last few years, online news portals and social media helped to raise awareness on the negative long-term environmental impacts brought about by the use of plastics. The general public, including politicians, responded well and we can now see a paradigm shift towards a lifestyle with minimum plastic use. Unfortunately, promotional campaigns always target end-users and consumers. So far, there are no studies that investigate the use of plastics in the environment itself to grow crops. The main aim of this research is to study agriculture plastic waste in Malta, and its disposal patterns. Following a review of existing literature on the topic, a survey with farmers who part-take in agricultural activities, was carried out. This, to better understand the traits and trends on plastic disposal in the local sector. Additionally, site audits were carried out to quantify the plastic waste produced on-site. Such an approach helped to collect data that address the knowledge gap identified during the preliminary stage of this study. Interviews with stakeholders were also carried out to discuss existing waste policies and any strategies that are planned to help tackle this problem. Following analysis of the collected data, a number of research methods were adopted to help identify traits related to the industry. The main agricultural plastic waste in Malta was found to be related to irrigation pipes and mulching that are linked to the local climate and the crops grown respectively. At the moment, there are no policies or strategies that target the collection, reuse, or recycling of agricultural plastic waste. The survey helped to indicate that farmers generally dispose of the material at the Civic Amenity sites and ultimately, get diverted to the landfill. Disposal of plastic waste through incineration and ploughing, was also found to be common. This study succeeds in addressing the research gap, which concerns the typical generation of agricultural plastic waste, and the trends related to the disposal patterns, by local farmers. Description: M.Sc.(Melit.)

2022-01-01T00:00:00Z