4th May 2018

Gibraltar has been ranked the 3^rd worst polluted UK city in a recent WHO report on fine particle matter. Many in Gibraltar have been shocked at this ranking even though it doesn’t come as a total surprise to the ESG. Over the years we have pressed every administration in office for improvements in key polluting activity in Gibraltar. We have also campaigned at an EU level on major cross border pollution sources. These concerns were highlighted recently by the ESG during the NABU visit and more details can be found on our website under List of Objectives. (See www.esg-gib.net).

WHO recommendations and reports help drive health-based regulatory standards and are therefore very important.

The ESG continues to work for environmental improvements and for action to be taken to reduce air pollution levels in Gibraltar and the wider Bay area.

ESG Radio Newsletter 26^th April 2018  

Key Words:  Zero Waste Target  CUTW 2018    Plastic Pledge   15% Drop in CO2 emissions    Ship Emissions and NABU       The Bay

We start todays newsletter by providing an update on Clean up preparations for this years campaign. Our Zero Waste target mentioned in our last newsletter on running the Campaign itself is a challenge but one that we believe we can rise to and are working hard at present to achieve. Since we announced our new vision we have secured funding for a number of items helping bring our plans to reality. An outreach programme is now underway to discuss the new plans with our Clean up Volunteer teams and partners and the response we are getting is very encouraging indeed.

Also in today’s UK press we hear about how over 40 companies have signed up to a Plastic Pledge to take immediate, short and long term action regarding not only packaging, but single use plastics. The ESG has long called for the critical issue of packaging to be tackled at source, ie manufacture, because it is an essential part of global trade and the transporting of goods over distance. BUT! This packaging must be produced from harmless, biodegradable, or at worst fully recyclable materials – all of which makes complete sense and is the way forward. While this campaign has started in the UK it is attracting international support which is excellent news. We must mention and recognise local efforts to tackle single use plastic waste with main supermarkets, Nautilus Project and several companies getting increasingly behind this hot issue. Government support and engagement is also playing an important role and we will be doing our bit under our flagship Clean up Campaign to highlight litter issues and encourage the reduce reuse recycle message as we have done since 2005.

Plans for workshops; presentations and fundraisers will be released very soon.

On pollution it is good news indeed that through efficiency and conservation of energy measures from Gibraltar’s land based energy use there has been a reduction of CO2 emissions of up to 15% over the past 3 years. This can only improve with the greater harness of renewable energy measures and we follow this with much interest. Well done to all!

There is no doubt that Ship emissions affect our local environment and we are currently researching all factors regarding regional, European and international regulations on emissions to better understand what possible improvements could come our way from future changes. Locally we continue to call for best practice and technologies to be used that will require a combination of regulation, infrastructure changes and also on companies investing more in reducing environmental impacts.

We also wanted to refer to the recent air sampling carried out by a German NGO, to record a snapshot of emissions from a departing liner leaving Gibraltar. We have contacted NABU and are presently waiting for their reply. In sharing with them our Objectives we hope to highlight our longstanding efforts to tackle pollution both locally and regionally, in fact even carrying out spot sampling ourselves throughout the Bay. We also expressed interest in their Med wide study on shipping emissions and enquired whether CEPSA Oil Refinery and Algeciras Port were included in similar spot checks as their environmental impacts are major given the nature of their industry and scale of operation.

We now wait for news from NABU.

Visit our website at: esg-gib.net for all our press releases on topical issues.

ESG Press Release re GibDock impacts

Key Words:  GibDock Impacts    Onshore Power Connection and Conversion   Paint Overspray and Daytime working hours

ESG is concerned that despite the Govt statement issued in February 2018 of its aims to reduce GibDock impacts, citizens continue to experience noise and air pollution from the Dockyard area. Apart from the onshore connection and conversion provision that will be set up with the new LNG Power Station, control of works to daytime hours and paint over spray were two further issues that were also going to be addressed.

The ESG calls upon Government to publish its intentions on how these environmental impacts will be contained and over what period of time, to at least inform the community, and those most impacted in particular, of the length of time present conditions must be tolerated. As achieved with the closure, or mothballing, of the two highly polluting stations, people are right to expect a step plan on how Govt will help deliver a pollution freer south district for all residents.

ESG Press Release

NABU Air Sampling on the Rock

The ESG recognises the issues flagged up by NABU members on the Rock on high pollution levels near the port area but is surprised there was no contact made with the group prior to their visit on the Rock. Had they done so they would have realised that we have been campaigning and fighting for a pollution free Bay for close to two decades. The ESG has targeted local and regional sources of pollution with the CEPSA Oil Refinery forming a major part of its work in the early years.

Shipping emissions are also of concern to the ESG who has for some time now been advocating for onshore power connection for berthed vessels throughout the Port area also calling for best practice in vessels anchoring off Gibraltar to minimise emissions at anchor. We have also called for real-time monitoring to be set up in the NW region of Gibraltar to better understand the impacts from shipping and other activity with appropriate actions to then follow.

Details on all the groups concerns can be found on its website under List of Objectives. (See extract on Pollution below)

What is clear however, is that as NABU has been carrying out a Mediterranean wide study on coastal emissions from shipping they should have taken similar snapshot samples at each hotspot throughout the Bay especially the Algeciras Port and CEPSA Terminal and then release pollution data, in order to portray similar impacts from shipping activity of all types in the Bay area.

The ESG will be contacting NABU scientists and will also share with them its concerns about the serious environmental problems of the area in the hope that they will look at the Bay situation holistically and take all factors into account.

“Extract from ESG List of Objectives 2017 available at www.esg-gib.net ”

4. POLLUTION – There are many areas we follow regarding air and noise pollution matters in Gibraltar and Bay area. As indicators the following represent most of the areas and issues in question:

a. Real time air monitor for NW district

b. Mobile air pollution monitor

c. Onshore Power Supply (connection and conversion)- coming on stream –ESG following closely especially for Dockyard/Port and Extension Jetty facilities

d. Ships at anchor – best practice to be applied by all visiting vessels to keep funnel emissions to a minimum

e. Vapour recovery technology from shipping to eliminate fugitive fumes

f.  Best practice and available technology

g. Road idling –rules regarding unnecessary idling of engines by all road vehicles need to be enforce

h. Airport air and noise impacts

i. Border issues including traffic

j. Fuel Stations relocation once runway road open   
                More details on request and in other sections in Document

ESG Radio Newsletter 

Key words:          CUTW 29th September   Zero Waste Campaign     Cepsa Oil Refinery Expansion   Traffic & Transport  

                                 Noise & Air Pollution in South District    DPC    New Harbour Rooftop Renewable Energy programme

Hi there. Some updates coming up in our key campaigns and we also look at some local and regional environmental issues, of concern to our members and the wider public.

To start with we can report that preparations for this years CUTW are going extremely well especially networking with partners and equipment preparations. We shall be contacting team leaders very soon to brief them on 2018 plans and aims. With early bird planning, preparations for an impacting parade, exhibition and activities leading up to the Clean up should help us achieve more of our goals. This years date for the main event is the 29^th September. The media is awash with the blight of plastic in the natural environment – indeed one of the key motivators for our clean ups when we started back in 2005.

Each year we have become less reliant on single use items ourselves and 2018 will see us improve our own impact further. We are aiming for a Zero Waste Campaign applying reusable tools, systems and equipment and eliminating the plastics use as much as we can. Our volunteers are producing hardwearing equipment sacks, which are very impressive. We are calling upon the community to help by donating strong buckets and we shall also be sourcing these second hand as much as possible. However this will be a key component in replacing single use bin bags and so we are also looking for sponsors to ensure we have a good number in place to equip our hundreds of volunteers. Please contact us on 200-48996 or drop in on a Tuesday with your bucket donation to our premises in Wellington Front, Vault number 12! Thanks to all once again.

In other news we are concerned about expansion plans at CEPSA Oil Refinery in the Spanish press given that any increase in production will result in an increase in localised pollution. This particular expansion relates to a section of the plant that lies a mere stone throw away from an already heavily impacted Puente Mayorga area. No doubt residents will be objecting to this proposal despite the, albeit temporary, 250 jobs created in the construction phase. We shall be sharing our concerns over the proposed expansion in Brussels given the need for the company to instead invest in reducing its toxic environmental impacts.

The ESG is monitoring traffic and transport issues, which affect Gibraltar and are currently looking at emissions and idling in private sector vehicle fleets. We shall be releasing more details on this soon. We continue to receive complaints about noise and air pollution affecting south district residents from GibDock and nearby bunkering vessels and are following up on these as usual.

A note for your diary is the Development and Planning Commission will next sit on the 25^th April. Be sure to check the agenda items a week before on the Town Planning website for details of what is coming up and you can also check all validated applications that will be seeking approval at some stage on egov.gi.

We would like to finish on a positive note and have seen works going on at New Harbours rooftops. We hear these are in preparation for a large solar project. This is great news and a measure we have been calling for, for some time. Hope Government releases more details soon.               Visit out website esg-gib.net for all our press releases and more.

In the past few months the ESG has delivered several talks and held certificate presentations at many local educational establishments and clubs. A feature on this was published in the Gibraltar Chronicle on the 17th March edition. You can find a link to a scan of this here:-

https://www.facebook.com/esg.gibraltar?hc_ref=ARTctZAidJOP9o_-_upISa3S3bD-gI2AXZzxDfrwhYK5Qa7G3sxlXFQqUZlnrlvESL8&fref=nf

Also find it here:-

www.yourgibraltartv.com/society/16545-mar-20-esg-delivers-presentation-at-laguna-youth-club

It highlights the ongoing work by the ESG on focusing on litter issues with the younger generations, not only during the Clean up weekend but during the rest of the year.

Last week the ESG delivered a presentation to the Laguna Youth Club on the Clean up the World (CUTW) Campaign. This forms part of an on-going programme running since the 2017 clean up, to promote discussion about litter and its impacts on the environment.

It was most impressive to see the interest and knowledge expressed by many of the young people present in a lively discussion that lasted the best part of an hour. It was also very positive to see established recycling practices at the Club.

The ESG was very pleased to present Laguna Youth Club volunteers with certificates for their participation in last years CUTW event and thanks the Youth Leaders for organising the visit.

The Gibraltar Youth Service is a long-standing supporter of the Clean up the World Campaign having taken part each year since 2005.

Please visit links to ESG FB page for more on presentations and photographs

www.yourgibraltartv.com/society/16545-mar-20-esg-delivers-presentation-at-laguna-youth-club

Radio Newsletter

Key words:  Online petition   CUTW and Litter Committee   2018 Preparations kick off   Earth Hour    DPC

Hi there – The ESG would like to give heads up on a number of environmental initiatives happening for those of you interested in doing your bit to help the environment.

For example you may want to support an online petition looking at the Bay and the major impact it suffers from chronic air and marine pollution from the large petrochemical installations, like the Refinery and other industry, the coal fired power station, major port reclamation, etc. The petition calls for a stop to pollution and for a plan of restoration and recovery to be produced to re-establish ecosystems and habitats lost over time to industrial development. The ESG believes it is a worthy petition and hopes that many people throughout the Bay will sign it.

You can find the petition at www.change.org and search for “Por un Plan Integral ….”Alternatively you can also find link on our website and FB page. Details provided a bit later on.

The ESG recently submitted a report on CUTW 2017 to the Litter Committee containing results and outcomes of the last major clean up campaign – There are a number of recommendations in the report on how we can reduce the presence of litter in our open areas and we are hopeful that on-going efforts as well as important changes to the upcoming new cleaning contract for Gibraltar, will help to meet these outstanding issues. Ad hoc clean ups continue – let us know if you want to be notified as these are happening on a regular basis.

The group is already starting CUTW preparations for 2018 with the date now set for the 29^th September.

Earth Hour is almost upon us again! Is it really 12 whole months since we last switched off our lights for this symbolic global campaign? The date this year is the 24^th March, time is from 8.30 to 9.30pm, local time everywhere! We are asked to switch off unnecessary lights during this hour alongside millions of people doing the same in an awareness raising action reminding ourselves of the importance of looking after our planet. It is quite a remarkable event followed by mainstream media the world over as iconic landmarks are switched off in a show of solidarity – Gibraltar has followed suit in the past and hope will do so again this year. This small action encourages reflection on a personal level and places a spotlight on energy use and climate change on the world stage. Every action helps. Hope you can support it in any way you can too on Saturday the 24^th!! Check out Earth Hour on line for lots more information.

As usual a reminder that the next DPC meeting will be held towards the end of March on the 28^th as from 9.30am at the John Mackintosh Hall. It is open to the public with the agenda published 7 days earlier and found on the Town Planning Website clicking on DPC and Agendas.

Thanks for listening

PLEASE SIGN PETITION TO SAVE THE BAY OF ALGECIRAS/BAY OF GIBRALTAR FROM INDUSTRIAL POLLUTION AND RECLAMATION AND FOR PLAN OF RECUPERATION AND RESTORATION OF HABITAT AND ECOSYSTEMS:-

https://www.change.org/p/por-un-plan-integral-de-recuperación-de-la-bah%C3%ADa-de-algeciras-bay-of-gibraltar

THANK YOU !!  THE BAY NEEDS OUR HELP!!

Radio Newsletter

Key words:  Radio Gibraltar     Bayside Environmental Event   GibDock  New Town Act   Idling  DPC   Tuesday Volunteer Day

Momentous year for Radio Gibraltar just celebrated its 60^th year of existence. Where would we be without it indeed! Here’s to the next 60!! The ESG have ourselves somewhat of a historic link now with Radio Gibraltar carrying out our own Environmental Newsletters fortnightly for the best part of 12 years. It is a great help to us to be to share our views, concerns and actions on local and cross border environmental issues in this way where we can reach so many people, if only briefly, and are grateful to have this opportunity. We have published our newsletters on our website since we started and anyone can access these by visiting esg-gib.net under news and archive sections.

This morning, as we heard on our local radio, Bayside School is holding a stalls event for NGOs as part of an Environmental Week being held for the first time. The ESG is supporting this event which it believes is a great idea and hopefully, the first of many! We will be promoting our core values and aims from climate change to renewable energy, waste, cleanliness, pollution, traffic and many others, information on which you can also find by visiting our home page on our website. There will be a focus on traffic issues given many youngsters opt for motorised transport at the earliest possibility to help engage them on the issues and how we need to change the present status quo for healthier forms of transport and calmer roads etc. We would like to wish Bayside School success in its first Environmental Week. Of course Bayside has been a major partner in the Clean up the World Campaign since we first started addressing litter and waste issues on the Rock. New ideas and projects for this years Clean Up will soon be rolled out and we very much look forward to working closely with Bayside School and all our usual partners.

Last week we raised the issue, once again, of the pollution crossing the fence line at GibDock. While issuing public statements we are also meeting and contacting the authorities urging best technologies to be implemented. It was good to see this discussed in the House of parliament and most importantly that the Gibraltar Government has also publicly pledged to see actions taken to reduce the impact from power use, paint overspray and noise pollution produced by this industry. We avidly look forward to concrete steps taken to ensure these results are achieved as soon as possible and that a time frame will be provided to explain when residents can enjoy a reprieve from current impacts.

DPC met this week and another lengthy session ensued once again. There had been talks some time back of having televised DPC sessions. This could be useful as they could be watched later online by anyone interested in establishing the decision making process behind any one application. This would provide the background behind the summarised reports we see in the media – am sure you would agree that 5 hours of discussion can be very challenging to summarise to say the least!

The ESG welcomes the publication of the Green Paper on the New Town Act. The group had submitted its concerns and recommendations during the public consultation rounds and will be checking that these have been addressed.

Finally, on car idling. New cars have built in features to stop this unnecessary use of fuel and pollution to cut out the engine as soon as a car is at standstill. Older cars, however, require human intervention to use common sense and switch off the engine when stopped for more than a few minutes. If more of us do this then we can all open our windows. Imagine! At present, and especially near the border area, idling is a huge problem and has to be better managed. Watch out for a campaign on this soon. It would benefit us all.

Tuesdays is becoming a very busy day for us at our new premises and we shall be inviting groups and members of the public to join us at selected workshops focusing on the practical but always on the environmental!!

Thanks for listening – send us an email at esg@gibtelecom.net Call 200-48996 and visit esg-gib.net for more information.