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.

ESG Radio Newsletter end of Year 2018

During these unsettling times of Brexit and the endless rounds of discussions, it is clear that many of us worry about a number of issues affecting our future.

A most worrying concern is also that because of the lengthy and endless nature of these discussions, that pretty much everything else takes second place despite many of these issues affecting us just as much if not more than Brexit ever could.

I am talking here about the impacts of global warming and the important Climate Change talks presently underway in Poland, with protests also being held in many parts of the world, mainly led by the youth, shouting ever louder for their future to be better protected by those in authority today.

Over the past few decades we have both admired and been inspired by Sir David Attenborough who has, through his unique delivery and passion, moved millions to appreciate and also fall in love with the wonderful world of nature. It is sobering then to hear him speak at these climate talks of the imminent and real threat to civilisation and to much of nature, if humanity fails to take action on global warming. The naturalist gave a terrifying picture of the future of humanity that was facing a major threat and that leaders had to drive down harmful emissions if they wanted to preserve the natural world. Let us hope for all our sakes that all those present pay attention to David and that urgent action will follow despite the regrettable rollback taken on this crucial issue by the likes of the USA, Russia and a few other countries.

Now that would make a wonderful Christmas present to the World!

As we face the end of 2018 and look ahead to a new year we hope that a lot of the work that we collaborate with to help our local environment will gather strength and deliver ever better results for Gibraltar. We are fast becoming a very busy city environment with all the highs and lows that go with a growing economy and population. This makes environmental impacts difficult to avoid with traffic and development particularly onerous. With regards to current air and noise pollution problems we understand there are some issues at present and are monitoring these to ensure the best results possible. We thank the community for supporting our efforts in the encouragement we receive and in the campaigns we run.

We will remain vigilant on the repercussions on our cross border environmental campaigns if and when Brexit is achieved in some way, and have read with interest the potential approach for environmental management presented by the Memorandums of Understanding for this sector that looks at practical ways to manage regional environmental issues at a more local level.

This Christmas we wish you all a peaceful, healthy and hopeful time and urge you to be mindful of reducing your waste, maximising your recycling and spending quality time with your loved ones.

Have a Happy Green Christmas!!

Key words: Brexit/ Single Use Plastics/ Waste / Pollution / Climate Change / Traffic / 

                         MEP Molly Scott Cato / DPC

Amidst Brexit news erupting all around us perhaps the environment isn’t making headline news, as has been the case for a while now.

However, lets visit some green issues and developments.

This week EU lawmakers (yes I said EU) have voted overwhelmingly in favour of a complete ban on several single-use plastics including straws, cutlery and coffee stirrers adding the EU to the growing list of governments committed to helping the world address the plastic problem. This still requires approval with reliable alternatives nevertheless providing a clear path to a transition. We must not ignore the warnings that we face more plastics than fish in our oceans with evidence based research already showing plastics entering the food chain.

This is an urgent fight. Positive then to also hear New Zealand Prime Minister just announce a phasing out of single use plastic bags nationwide over the next year. New Zealand is one of the highest producers of urban waste per capita in the developed world according to figures from the World Bank. Awareness has really helped create momentum on this issue and we should look to do as much as we can both locally and regionally on this important matter.

Waste, together with traffic, pollution and Climate Change are among the issues the ESG discusses on a frequent basis with members and the public alike with our revised List of Objectives soon to be published for 2018.

It was interesting to hear MEP for South West England and Gibraltar, Molly Scott Cato, recently call for civil disobedience and illegal action by communities to press Governments for real action on Climate Change. Indeed we saw one of our own, Reggie Norton, support such action in the UK this week. It is a big question as to what it will take to arrest the relentless growth, development and use of fossil fuels despite glaring scientific and actual evidence and we would be interested to talk to MEP Cato on her thoughts on this most crucial issue facing humanity and the global environment.

Talking about growth and development the DPC, that’s the development and planning commission, meet twice before the end of November. Agenda for the 20^th meeting is already available online and a further date is currently being planned.

These sessions are held in public and start at 9.30am at the Charles Hunt Room, John Mackintosh Hall.

Do send us an email for more information at esg@gibtelecom.net or also visit our website at www.esg-gib.net for press releases and other resources.

Thanks for listening.

Dust Pollution and Fines

 Following reports in the media about fines issued on lack of adequate dust controls practised by GibDock, a major local industry, and a truck for not covering rubble – the ESG feels the fine on GibDock does not go far enough.

The Dockyard frequently causes noise and air pollution during the course of its works leading to several complaints from residents and the general public.

The ESG asks if the £4,000 fine will act as a deterrent in eliminating similar practices by GibDock in future? Shouldn’t perhaps the fines be more than the investment needed to apply the best available technology and best practise, for the deterrence to work?

The group believes that noise control as well as paint and dust containment measures are needed at this facility to improve the environmental conditions for residents living in the area.

Until such time as these measures are enforced the group fears that air and noise pollution will continue and this is not acceptable.

Keywords:  Clean up the World / Rock Explorer and CUTW /  LNG Bunkering /  Air Pollution / &   DPC

It’s been some time since our last broadcast however we have been in the news as it has been an exceptionally busy period with our Clean up the World Campaign!

Gibraltar really turned out in their hundreds to demonstrate its abhorrence about littering and showing true civic pride …not easy when you think about the hard and often disgusting nature of the work involved in picking up rubbish carelessly discarded.

And yet, and yet, team feedback was very positive about the experience described as “the best day ever” by some youngsters, and “good to know you are giving something back”, by another volunteer. Another positive aspect of the clean up is that most teams will be clearing waste from remote, quiet and often beautiful areas of Gibraltar- areas that are transformed with clear benefits to the environment. Of course, we want to reduce littering and also see these areas cleaned more frequently, better containment and provision for rubbish, etc. and this is where our focus now lies. The concerns about food chain and plastics has now moved on again with scientists reporting micro plastics found in the human gut in several people tested! What a frightening thought….

So when we read that the EU has just voted overwhelmingly to ban single use plastics by 2021–we celebrate because we know these issues must be tackled at source. You can find a link to the full report on our website and facebook page later today.

So we would like to thank all volunteers, sponsors and supporters for doing a most important job once again in supporting the clean up campaign. Check our the latest Rock Explorer on GBC for a snippet of our Clean up day of action.

Those of you following the LNG issue will have seen some exchanges in the media between the ESG and Government over recent public developments regarding LNG bunkering. We were concerned to read and hear initial statements in the local and World Bunkering press, and were therefore reassured when Government broadly clarified their intentions on LNG bunkering. We will, however, continue to follow up on this issue as it is a matter of particular interest to the group.

Another matter we follow is on noise and air pollution – issues very close to our heart – and we have seen reports in the press about fines issued this week to GibDock and to a truck for dust offences caused.

The ESG is issuing a separate statement on this later today.

DPC is round the corner once again with a number of significant developments on the agenda. Do check this out as it is published online at Town Planning Site clicking on DPC. The date for the mtg is the 30^th October at 9.30am at the Charles Hunt Room John Mack Hall.

Thanks for listening.