The Climate Change Debate – April 2019

In recent weeks Climate Change and citizen activism has moved to another level with a successful Gibraltar Youth Climate Protest led by inspiring, young people. The ESG was very happy to support them and their petition on the day. We have also welcomed the Minister for the Environment’s response with a Climate Emergency Pledge. The ESG would like to see this followed by greater promotion of information already available on our existing impacts[1], such as our currently unsustainable lifestyle and energy consumption, oil and port-based economies, air travel, transport (local and cross border), etc. Public debate is needed to gain widespread support and understanding.[2] In this way policy makers, industry and the community at large, can work towards a step plan to underpin Government’s recently declared Climate Emergency Pledge. We hope the details of the Pledge will be published as soon as possible.

As well as our own impacts we can see how complex and challenging the issue of transitioning to a more sustainable world and real action on climate change becomes when we look around the Bay and across to North Africa: three countries – trading in fossil fuels – with volumes growing each year. Across the border a study on the Campo industrial zone emissions estimated that over 10,000,000 tons of CO₂ were released in 2008![3] This, combined with the toxic cocktail of pollutants released, is why the ESG fought so hard during the 2000-2010 decade, at cross border level, for the tighter enforcement of EU environmental regulation of the major CEPSA Oil Refinery and other associated chemical industries.

Fossil fuel presently drives Gibraltar and Bay communities. Apart from providing our potable water via an energy hungry desalination plant, trade in oil via bunkering (ship refuelling) and foreign vehicles, is very significant and Gibraltar benefits from this business. The contribution regionally, therefore, to the carbon dilemma globally is highly significant and staring at us in the face each day. How can these economic drivers be changed quickly enough to meet the global call for action on Climate Change?

Pollution, produced as a by-product of using fossil fuels through the combustion process, is also harmful to people. We have long called for best available technology and practice to be applied wherever fuel activity is carried out. Bold steps to reduce traffic numbers and by emission type must be applied, as has been launched this month in London.[4] Impacts from growing development are taking a heavy toll on both our roads and our lungs. All these factors contribute to poor air quality and CO₂ emissions and need to be factored in the emergency pledge.

The Minister for the Environment has mentioned offsetting some of our carbon impacts. Support and focus to steer us away from our present fossil fuel dependence must be the priority. We would like to see a legally binding time period applied to offsetting measures during our transition away from fossil fuel reliance and trade. All political parties must agree to this commitment.

We believe political parties in Gibraltar should support the environmental targets that will improve quality of life and avoid the worst impacts climate change can bring. Difficult decisions will also require the support of the public and business community. We know we must do a lot better and pull out all the stops to do our very best. Anything less would be criminal and a moral let down to all generations that follow. Lets have the public debate and address this global crisis.

(1)  https://www.gibraltar.gov.gi/new/sites/default/files/HMGoG_Documents/2016-Summary_Report_GibraltarCityInventory_Final.pdf

(2)   ESG List of Objectives, Climate Change : http://www.esg-gib.net/dev/wp -content/uploads/2017/09/New_ESG-OBJECTIVES-2017-Complete-Short.pd

(3)  2008 Spanish NGO report into CO2 Emissions from key industries in the Bay

(4)   http://www.climateaction.org/news/new_mayor_of_london_unveils_plan_to_tackle_pollution

Earth Hour 2019

Today’s  Earth Hour Campaign will see widespread participation of the symbolic switching off, of lights, at iconic sites in major cities, including Gibraltar. This is now an established response to a global campaign. With the acceleration of global warming, pollution hazards and decimation of species, this means that much more has to be done and these campaigns can help by drawing attention and raising awareness.

Gibraltar’s community is reminded to reflect on its own personal use of energy and general environmental impacts by supporting the campaign and switching off non-vital lighting for an hour during 8.30 to 9.30pm.

https://balkangreenenergynews.com/earth-hour-2019-switch-off-this-saturday-march-30-at-830-pm/

You can also carry out many other acts to help our environment, not just today, but every day……each one of us, together, can make a big difference!

CARBON NEUTRAL TARGETS BY 2030

The ESG welcomes the Government statement that it will seek to achieve carbon neutral status by 2030. Understanding the background to Gibraltar’s present energy and carbon footprint, from both the community and economic activity viewpoint, the ESG would be extremely keen to learn precisely how this can be achieved in practice.

With the urgency presented by climate change today we hope to see details released as soon as possible to support the climate pledge announced by Government and that all aspects of our carbon activity will be included in the plans.

Key words:  Youth climate protest/ Monitoring data / DPC and Sewage Plant / Earth Hour and Permaculture

Recent events have illuminated once more how significant our environment is to us all. On the positives is the recent youth protest that took place last Friday by our schools supporting marches taking place elsewhere in the world. These regular protests were started by the very brave and determined young lady from Sweden, Greta Thunberg, who has been nominated for the Nobel peace prize for her sustained efforts on raising support for action on Climate Change. It is hoped their voices will be heard and add more pressure for urgent action from every sector of society especially policy makers and the business community. The ESG supported the march as did other activists and interested parties – good luck to the students in continuing a sustained campaign!

The ESG lobbies for action on climate change year round with our monitoring of the development of renewable energy programme in Gibraltar as well as polluting sources and activity, commonly linked to production of greenhouse gasses. For anyone unaware of our core aims and objectives we invite you to visit our website at esg-gib.net   and click on objectives documents.

The ESG is having a series of mtgs over the next few weeks regarding Gibraltar’s traffic woes, air and noise pollution and more. We await publication of the data being gathered by the mobile monitoring units in place around Gibraltar to shed light on suspected air pollution hotspots. This data is extremely important to provide a broader and more accurate picture of the air quality around us.

Next weeks DPC agenda on Tuesday 26^th March carries a number of important projects for Gibraltar including the presentation on the Sewage, or rather, Waste water treatment plant. The ESG has presented its feedback on a number of aspects of the project so far including some concerns about visual impacts, and noise and air pollution from associated activity linked to the plant albeit sited elsewhere. If you have time why not attend the DPC session where this game changing project for Gibraltar will be debated. That’s next Tuesday 26^th at 9.30am.

Earth Hour, an important global environmental campaign, held to draw attention to energy and other environmental issues, will take place on the 30^th March. As well as the official recognition of this important event, by way of the switching off of lights at our key iconic sites locally, we plan a special talk and clean up for the campaign, and am sure we shall hear about other activity in the coming days. Check out earthhour.org for information on this inspiring campaign.

We would like to also inform you of a very special talk coming up, being given by one of our close colleagues on the subject of Permaculture – a highly interesting and positive approach and answer to sustainable farming – Jenny Brown will be giving her first public introductory talk on the subject on the 1^st April at the John Mackintosh Hall at 7.00pm.  

Thanks for listening. Email us at esg@gibtelecom.net and check out our website at www.esg-gib.net for further information

The ESG looks forward to the debate being held this evening by GBC Viewpoint on Brexit, ‘What If’, and hopes environmental issues such as waste, environmental protection and enforcement will be covered. As well as pragmatic issues of frontier fluidity and efficiency for people, goods, etc. the group is most concerned about cross border environmental issues that will not have much recourse post Brexit and with a major oil Installation and Refinery next door, raises some very serious concerns.

Tomorrow Friday at 9am will see a protest on climate change at Casemates Square by some Gibraltar students, being held in solidarity with similar protests taking place throughout the world each month. Given the urgency of the most pressing issue facing humanity and the planet, with the greater impacts more likely to affect the next generations, it is positive and emboldening to see young people taking such a stand.

The ESG lobbies for action on climate change year round with our monitoring of the development of renewable energy programme in Gibraltar as well as polluting sources and activity, commonly linked to production of greenhouse gasses and we shall be at the protest in support of its message.

(Keywords: Brexit/ Viewpoint/ Climate Protest / Environmental lobbying / Air Pollution, Monitoring and) (Complaints / Onshore power connections / Data / Traffic Issues / Health Impacts from pollution / DPC)

It has been a few weeks since our last newsletter. Clearly Brexit developments continue to dominate many people’s priorities and concerns, and rightly so; it could be a big game changer for Gibraltar, although yesterday’s votes in the UK Parliament may have bought more time and allow common sense and a better outcome to prevail all round.

Tonight sees a Viewpoint at the Leisure Centre with a ‘What If’ scenario on Brexit being debated – should be interesting – look out for it live on GBC at 9.30pm. Hopefully environmental issues post Brexit such as waste, environmental protection and enforcement will come up.

9am this Friday morning will see a protest on climate change at Casemates Square by some Gibraltar students, being held in solidarity with similar protests taking place throughout the world each month. Given the urgency of the most pressing issue facing humanity and the planet with the greater impacts more likely to affect the next generations, it is positive and emboldening to see young people taking such a stand.

The ESG lobbies for action on climate change year round with our monitoring of the development of renewable energy programme in Gibraltar as well as polluting sources and activity, commonly linked to production of greenhouse gasses and we shall be at the protest in support of its message. For anyone unaware of our core aims and objectives we invite you to visit our website at esg-gib.net   and click on objectives documents.

We continue to receive complaints and concerns about noise and air pollution in the south district and are taking this up with relevant agencies. With progress being made at the new LNG Power Station we hope to see this followed by the installation of onshore power connections at key points throughout the port and south mole. This will make the skids currently in use, redundant, and provide vessels with plug in shore power, thus eliminating the need to run engines while berthed. Onshore power is fast becoming a key component of a “Green Port” and Gibraltar should incorporate this as soon as possible.

We also await publication of the data being gathered by the mobile monitoring units around Gibraltar so we can learn more about pollution levels at various hotspots, not presently covered by the major monitoring stations – this data, is extremely important to provide a broader and more accurate picture of the air quality we live in.

Traffic congestion, activity and pollution is also a major factor. We are hoping to meet with Minister Balban in a week’s time where we shall raise various concerns and ask for information in areas of particular interest to us.

Various points in this newsletter refer to pollution of some kind and it is a preoccupation of ours. A report in the global press this week suggests that air pollution has overtaken smoking as the main cause of premature death. This should ring alarm bells everywhere and press societies, governments and policy makers to rapidly clean up the environment as fast as possible.

Look out also for the next DPC meeting in March, which will take place on the 26^th March at 9.30am.

With special talks, clean ups and more coming up it looks like a busy spring – for more information you can email us at esg@gibtelecom.net.

Thanks for listening.

The ESG notes there are growing numbers of entities and organisations pronouncing themselves as having the environment at the top of their agenda. This is a fresh and welcome change   – and bodes well for future generations. Of course, for our small group keeping the environment firmly on an apolitical footing is of paramount importance and our aims will continue in this vein as we run through what is likely to be election year in 2019.

For those who may not be aware the ESG has been pressing for action on a number of environmental issues both in Gibraltar and the bay area since we formed in the year 2000. During this time we have fought many battles and made gains that now form part of our day-to-day lives.

For other issues, we continue to experience difficulty in achieving closure and so we continue to meet, research, discuss and lobby for best possible outcomes. We do so transparently and every 18 months or so publish on-going issues via our List of Objectives. This document can be found at esg-gib.net and includes topics such as traffic and transport, power generation, climate change and renewables, waste issues, sewage treatment, shipping and all forms of pollution, cross border issues especially from our heavily industrialised Campo neighbours and major Oil Refinery – set to expand further!! – and of course planning and development. There are local sources of pollution that can and should be improved and we are working on these on a daily basis. We receive regular reports and make efforts to assist the public as best we can. We are very pleased to also welcome new members in 2019 who are helping take on different projects.

Gibraltar’s developmental needs are currently riding high on our radar as our physical environment continues to change at a rapid pace with all the ensuing pressures, impacts and problems these create.

Our long term aims in this area among several include updating the Gibraltar Development Plan asap to include the changes made to both the Heritage and Town Act, though the latter is still awaiting full transposition. Maintaining green areas in our city space and incorporating the protection of strategic vistas another significant measure in all planning applications.

Talking of which Monday the 11^th February 2.30pm sees a dedicated DPC meeting being held for the Government project for towers to be built at the edge of Eastern beach that includes the tallest buildings to be built in Gibraltar.

This project heralds the start of major development that has been planned for decades at this site but the nature and scale of the project is not without concerns for the ESG who has previously publicly raised concerns about the need for a holistic plan and impacts on landscape for the entire area including Devil’s Tower Road. The meeting is open to the public and will be held at John Mackintosh Hall.

Thanks for listening!

Key words:  New Year new issues/ CUTW outreach work/ Pollution Hotspots / elections & the environment / citizen reports and controls / CEPSA Refinery /  Hassan’s Centenary / Next DPC mtg

The New Year is bringing up many environmental issues and it is positive to recognise that in broad terms there is far more awareness about the problems behind certain issues and also where the community can help with direct action in others.

As is the norm for us we start the year with several talks and certificate presentations to the many educational establishments that participated in the Gibraltar wide clean up. This gives us a welcome opportunity of discussing issues, pinpointing underlying problems and identifying solutions.   With election year now in sight and the added complication of Brexit, this also provides fertile ground for constructive and important debate about all the issues we follow particularly on how the environment will feature in these dynamic and worrying times.

More debate needed!

Locally we have many discussions with members and the public alike on pollution hotspots on the Rock and within the Bay as well as the heavy toll from multiple developments and associated construction vehicles, which add to an already very busy traffic situation in Gibraltar. We hope to meet with the Minister for Transport soon to highlight our concerns.

We start the year with energy also and we will be publishing our environmental lobbying document for use in this important election period. We are planning to hold awareness days to be able to discuss our concerns and interests directly with the community. Dates to be announced soon.

The ESG continues to receive steady complaints from residents in the south district in particular pointing to chronic pollution situations that demand solutions. We are in active discussion with many parties at present in the hope that solutions will be found and a better environment will prevail. It is vital that industry applies best technology and standards and that regulators apply strict controls. Only in this fashion can true progress be achieved.

We recently also publicly welcomed progress made at the LNG Power Plant given the improvements this will create on some of the current pollution sources once plant is fully operational. Please visit our website for more information on these issues – that’s esg-gib.net.

If we briefly revisit the CEPSA Oil Refinery, a long-term and major regional issue of ours, we confirm that the last 7 days have seen heavy flaring, sulphurous emissions staining the skies, and nauseating smells brought across by northerly winds. We are mindful of the additional challenge we face of taking this dangerous industry to task with the loss of the EU membership but it is still in our sights and we thank and welcome all reports and material received from members of the public which we shall put to good use.

Also coming up soon will be a dedicated DPC meeting for the Hassan’s Centenary application on the eastern side of the Rock-taking place at 2.30pm on the 11^th February. The ESG is concerned about the landscape impacts from the location of these buildings as well as their excessive height and is presenting its concerns as we speak.

Thanks for listening you can also email us for more info at esg@gibtelecom.net

The ESG welcomes the news that the LNG project for power supply has taken the crucial step of producing and feeding energy into the grid.

The group is closely following air and noise pollution issues in both the South and North districts and know there will be environmental gains in certain areas once the new Power Station is up and running, for example, in the reduction and elimination of pollution achieved by the decommissioning of all skid generators and an ageing GibElec Power Station.

The ESG calls upon Government to provide a clear timeline to the community for when the new Power Station will be fully operational.

The ESG is concerned to have received repeated reports over the festive period of excessive noise pollution coming from the dockyard area.

This chronic noise pollution continues on today. The group understands that this could be coming from the Skid Generators on site either helping supply shore power to vessels or meeting Gibraltar energy demands. These generators are currently blocked in by a large vessel at quayside causing amplification of noise produced and has led to the current problem.

The group urges all concerned, GibDock, GibElec and the Environmental Agency to urgently review the situation and arrive at a lasting solution that will deliver reprieve for residents who are currently facing sleepless nights.