Keywords: ESG Meetings/ Sandy Bay Development / EMF Monitors/ Trading between Gib and UK / Upper Rock and Traffic access / Cycling event

As situation Covid continues fairly quietly now, life is beginning to get busy for everyone. So too is our environment and the ESG is also busy following up on the many issues contained in our Objectives, which can be found on our website at: esg-gib.net.  Meetings with Government and Industry continue as we lobby for action in several areas such as Climate Change, Sewage and LNG, the next Development Plan, Shore power, etc. You can find our list of issues and recommendations on the website too.

Most recently we joined 2 other key local NGOs: Gibraltar Heritage Trust and the GONHS in releasing a joint press statement over what we consider an unacceptable development proposal for Sandy Bay. Please visit all 3 NGO websites for the press release.

Some of you may have read or heard about the setting up of new monitoring units which look at electromagnetic fields produced by the mobile masts dotted around Gibraltar. As these continue to grow our group has pressed for the stepping up of monitoring of the impact this could be having in our physical spaces. You can check for yourself the data gathered by these machines which is published online on the GRA website, or Portal as it is called. The issue here is that the GRA follow ICNIRP standards which we do not think recognise other possible harmful effects, as yet fully understood, by saturating environments with this growing technology. We therefore call for the stepping up of monitoring resources and will also be checking data collected ourselves through the Portal.

One very interesting development was an article in the local media referring to a UK Govt report carrying information on how the UK trades with Gibraltar. You can find this link on line by searching for Gibraltar Trade and Investment Factsheet dated 12^th Feb 2021. Breaking down various areas of economic activity, though not all info is available, it’s an enlightening document showing where focus for greater sustainability could be given.

As you may well be aware the ESG takes a keen interest in all things to do with our traffic and transport issues on the Rock. After the U turn on Linewall Road, which we consider to be a shame and lost opportunity, another issue came up recently with the access to the Upper Rock by local vehicles. It is a complex subject, which also divides public opinion. We think that controlled access by all is ultimately what is required via a holistic visitor plan. We are working on this as a group and are lobbying for partial access for everyone – walkers, cyclists, drivers, visitors and tourist traffic in a controlled and managed approach that will enhance the experience and protect our wildlife from what can become a terribly overrun situation from mainly mass tourism traffic, once this returns.

Congratulations to the Cycle lobby on the Rock for a successful event on Good Friday which saw a healthy turn-out of local cyclists and cycling families demonstrate that interest in cycling is alive and kicking in Gibraltar while highlighting the need for safer roads and reduction of traffic.

Thanks for listening!!!

The ESG welcomes the recent rollout of the new Electromagnetic Field monitors (EMF) and online Portal in Gibraltar by the GRA. 

The group has been calling for such monitoring for many years and their arrival is therefore heralded as good news.

Nevertheless as one can easily observe when going onsite the GRA are applying ICNIRP levels to establish safety and compliance. The ESG has to clarify that it follows recommendations based on much lower exposure levels related to a-thermal/biological effects following a worldwide appeal of January 14, 2021, signed by 255 EMF scientists from 44 nations and 15 Supporting Scientists from 11 nations. They are urgently calling upon the United Nations and its sub-organisations, the WHO and UNEP, and all U.N. Member States, for greater health protection on EMF exposure:   https://emfscientist.org/

“We will continue to press for the expansion of the monitoring system and will carefully observe data collected from the new monitors going forward”, said a spokesperson for the group.

The Gibraltar Heritage Trust (GHT), Environmental Safety Group (ESG) and Gibraltar Ornithological & Natural History Society (GONHS) note plans to develop housing along the slope to the south of Both Worlds.  

Since it was replenished with sand, Sandy Bay has become a very popular beach both for locals and as part of Gibraltar’s more adventure-focused tourism offering.  Part of its appeal lies in its location and quite natural setting, framed by the slopes and Rock above, and the rocky shoreline to its north and south.  The land that is targeted for development currently consists of open, flower-filled habitat and includes WWII military structures.  It is enjoyed not just by beach-goers but also by the many people who walk by whilst exercising.

Our organisations are concerned that as depicted, the development would result in a very significant loss of public amenity, including for beach users.  The buildings would encroach on the beach itself and we consider this completely unacceptable.  The ramp down to the beach would be used for vehicular access to the development, making access trickier for users.  The loss of any natural habitat or heritage structures will without a doubt be detrimental to the enjoyment of the area by the public.

The three organisations will be following this proposal very closely.  Although the public consultation period for comments to the Development & Planning Commission is now closed, we urge all concerned members of the public to make their views known to the Town Planner or our organisations.