Transport issues in Gibraltar have always been of interest and concern to the ESG and we have been lobbying for improvements in this sector of our lives for some time now. The Committee recently met with the Minister for Transport to discuss these matters in the context of the Climate Strategy published some 3 months ago as well as lay before him our most pressing transport issues.

We wanted to find out if the Climate Strategy produced by the Dept of Environment is being rolled out in practice. If the strategy is to succeed its targets must systematically replace priorities within departments and do so within stated timelines.

Transport is a particularly tricky area as it has a direct impact on all our lives and covers activity by all sections of our community, including the foreign factor. It is a major challenge, not just to get on your bike or walk, but, as the strategy points out, to shift our car and motorbike reliance community to cleaner vehicles and alternate and healthier mobility choices, with the steering and implementation of several time lined measures.

This will require, in our view, a good measure of cross party support as well as forensic execution. Major investment will be required to support adapting the existing car, bus and taxi fleets to less polluting options. Infrastructure and services needed to support such changes as set out in the strategy should start now if the timings are to be met.

At the meeting we also focused on more immediate targets that we feel could make a real difference to our quality of life. Those are

• no idling to be strictly enforced around schools, bus stops and at tourist sites – idling produces toxic emissions which can cause multiple health issues esp. in the young and elderly
• Noise pollution from vehicles to be policed
• Second hand buses to be scrapped and upgraded to match euro stds at the very least and then onto cleaner technology fuels
• Ensure park and ride schemes for visitors are well in place ahead of full resumption of tourist numbers coming to Gibraltar
• Need to stamp out heavily polluting vehicles whatever registration
• Greater enforcement of illegal driving practices 
• Regulation on Scooters

The Minister and his team advised there would be a number of new measures published soon and that work is underway to begin to address the strategy targets.

The ESG will continue to monitor these developments and raise concerns as part of our own objectives towards a healthier and greener Gibraltar.

For more info please visit esg-gib.net.

In todays newsletter we shall take a look at our port, transport and the expected availability of real-time emission data for the new Power Station.

 PORT – It was positive to see the new Captain of the Port finally confirmed. The ESG wishes the Captain well in his new position and hopes that his office will strive to push for the highest possible environmental standards to be applied at the port and by all users and visitors alike. The port is Gibraltar’s main industrial activity, and carries several environmental impacts. From direct threats to marine life and ecosystems to air and noise pollution from the offshore 24hour bunkering activity, which impacts our local community. Government and port have said the use of LNG will make shipping more sustainable. Indeed Europe is embracing LNG also towards the same objective. In reality LNG reduces GHG emissions by only 25% and is a fossil fuel – not a long-term solution.  The IMO (International Maritime Organisation) has embarked on a climate action plan to eliminate pollution from shipping and work towards reducing GHG emissions over the short, medium to long-term. Gibraltar as member of the IMO should support this plan, which aims to promote investment in cleaner fuels and efficiency, in mitigation and new technologies. It is crucial that as the 3^rd largest bunkering port in the Med and 7^th largest in the World in terms of bunker volume– according to the Capt. Of the Port’s interview with GBC – Gibraltar must act responsibly and embrace and promote the IMO Climate Change measures.

In our next newsletter we shall explore how a local company, servicing private yachts, has began establishing provision of more sustainable fuels.

TRANSPORT – Transport continues to be an important issue for our community. There isn’t a day that goes by that we aren’t affected negatively by it. The ESG promotes and recommends ideas to help resolve some of these problems and you can find these on our website at esg-gib.net. Of course not everyone’s idea of an ideal transport situation is the same. But we can agree that quiet and calm roads would be a welcome environment for us all. The recent news on new zoning has unleashed public discussion. We support moves to discourage unnecessary car use and expansion of a clean public transport, more walking, cycling etc. The pandemic has served to delay moves to clean up our buses as other cities have started doing but we sincerely hope this plan is still on the table. Noise pollution, from some road users must be addressed, and the occasional heavily polluting vehicle taken off the road, whatever its registration! We are confused about Governments objectives in limiting the ever-growing number of vehicles in Gibraltar and hope to see further dedicated efforts towards electric and hybrid cars. We are also concerned to see how the new airport tunnel will finally settle in terms of pedestrians crossing the runway and the overall tidying up of public serving vehicles in that area. We are seeking a meeting with the Minister to follow up on these matters.

POWER STATION – the ESG has campaigned for real-time emission data for the new Power Station at Waterport to be publicly available from the very start of this project. We sincerely hope that 2022 will be the year that we see this data published – a long-term commitment by Government – as well as see the back of the many diesel skid generators that have been used to support the transition to the New Power Station. We shall continue to monitor this as well as the promised onshore power connection programme.

Covid permitting we hope to be able to organise public debates on the important issue of Climate Change and all it encompasses and will provide more info on this soon. Meanwhile please visit our website for more information and press releases on the environment.

That’s at: www.esg-gib.net.

Thanks for listening! January 2

– 2022 has arrived and environmental issues continue to be as important as ever. With this, our first Radio Broadcast of the year, we would like to discuss Climate Change and the Strategy released by Government and issues related to that.  Why is this so important you may ask? Well, many, if not all climate change impacts arise from polluting activity – thus action on climate will also bring us benefits of a cleaner and healthier environment.

– You can find the strategy published on the Government website by searching for the Gibraltar Climate Strategy. Additionally, you can find other reports such as the 2018 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory, which explains in detail where the key emission producers lie.

– One of our big gripes is that the present Strategy, important as it is, looks at only 8% of our total GHG Emission liability, that is the City Emissions. That to us is unacceptable. Government has said it is looking at longer-term measures to tackle divestment from our fossil fuel economic reliance – but no plans exist so far. Opposition parties, it has to be said, have ignored completely this element of the Climate Strategy – seemingly everyone is walking on eggshells when it comes to our Oil Businesses on the Rock.

– But we will continue to press for action on this as well as on the need to deliver on other city emission commitments to improve on our transport, energy, waste, development and other polluting activities.

Please see our website : www.esg-gib.net  for more information on this.

– Development is also a major environmental challenge in Gibraltar – why? Because of the significant construction which continues in Gibraltar. With the current Eastside project potentially offering a better deal for the environment that those previously proposed, in terms of scale of buildings, it cannot escape anyone’s attention that this area will change tremendously with the massive marina possibly being the largest impact. However, details are still to be presented in full on this project. You then have the Hilton plans to replace the Caleta Hotel, which has rightly caused outrage in the community and among our membership. Hassan’s Centenary Terraces can also be seen from many kms away – a true blot on the profile of our beautiful Rock. We will continue to voice our concerns and objections going forward and hope that the eastside can be developed sensitively, respecting the charm and natural beauty of the landscape, the Caleta Village and beaches in this part of Gibraltar.

– You can see more applications online on the Town Planning Website –be sure to get your comments and views on projects you are concerned about within the deadlines.The next DPC mtg sits on the 20^th January to discuss the next round of applications, you can follow proceedings online as from 9.30am and access the link from the Town Planning website. Be sure to tune in with a few controversial projects being considered!

– Thanks for listening. We look forward to sharing our views on different aspects of the Strategy and our Wishlist going forward in the coming newsletters and hopefully create more debate on these crucial issues of our times.

The ESG was glad to finally see the publication of our Climate Change Strategy on the last day of COP26. 

It is crucial that we understand the challenge that lies before us, as a community, to radically reduce our carbon footprint alongside every other nation on the planet.

However the group believes the strategy must include a transition away from our fossil fuel economy, supported by targets for reduction over time. To simply target City Emissions, a mere 8.5% of our TOTAL carbon impact, fails in meeting the magnitude of the task at hand and responsibility we bear. 

With a plan targeting all of Gibraltar’s Emissions, cross party support should be sought, and a team appointed, to urgently roll out the Climate Strategy.

The ESG intends to keep this matter in the public domain and will be pressing Government for answers.

As the world looks towards Glasgow and the start of possibly the most crucial global gathering ever for discussion on Climate Change, the ESG notes that here in Gibraltar we have yet to publish our own strategy earmarking a pathway to reduce our impacts and emissions.

We have been publicly and directly calling on Government for some time now to release its strategy, which, though affected by the global economic setback from Covid, must nevertheless set out an important and well drawn-out plan to influence, inform and regulate us away from our present fossil fuel reliance.

Reducing pollution, changing practices, and meaningfully divesting away from fossil fuels should form part of this strategy, to be time limited and enforced, and place Gibraltar in a responsible footing when attending the Glasgow Conference in a matter of days.

The whole world must face up to this major task ahead and while the global situation is overwhelming, we are frequently reminded that actions must be taken locally to achieve global change together.

The ESG believes an informed community can better support the necessary and potentially difficult decisions that lie ahead. The publication of Gibraltar’s Climate Strategy will therefore be a significant step in understanding what needs to be done.

Publishing ahead of such an important summit as COP26, will further demonstrate the commitment and political will by Government to support the need for action when attending the conference and joining other nations pressing for urgent change.

Rosia Bay petition handed in to the Chief Minister, Fabian Picardo. Pic by Johnny Bugeja (Chronicle)

BY PRIYA GULRAJ 

15th October 2021

A petition with nearly 5,500 signatures opposing the proposed development of Rosia Bay was handed to Chief Minister Fabian Picardo on Friday.

The petition was last month launched online by The Nautilus Project some 24 hours after the Rosia Bay project was brought before the Development and Planning Commission.

Local NGOs Environmental Safety Group, GONHS and The Gibraltar Heritage Trust have joined in their support for the petition against the plan to build up to 75 residential properties in the historic, but rundown Rosia Bay.

Lewis Stagnetto, of the Nautilus Project, told the Chronicle the organisation is opposed to private and residential purposes on the site, partly from the environmental perspective.

“There are a lot of key species in the basin, it is an important nursery ground and the idea of developing that area is worrying to us,” Mr Stagnetto said.

“There is also a lot of heritage value because that is where Admiral Nelson was brought in to Gibraltar and it is also a recreational area for a lot of people.”

The petitioners said they will support the preservation and restoration of Rosia Bay as a “natural, historical and public treasure”.

Mr Stagnetto said there are three main pillars that people have commented on with regards to this site.

People want the area to be restored to its former glory as a heritage site, but they also want it to remain open for recreational use by members of the public, and they want the environment to be protected, Mr Stagnetto said.

ESG, GONHS and the Gibraltar Heritage Trust all voiced their opposition about the proposal during the DPC meeting.

Janet Howitt, of the ESG, said: “The petition arose from the furore online after the project was presented to the DPC.”

“All three NGOs feel very similar, that it is not fit for purpose, it is not suitable for the area, and it doesn’t tick any of the boxes.”

“So we wanted to run a public campaign and people know how we feel about it.”

“The Nautilus Project launched a petition 24 hours after that and thousands of signatures were collected within 48 hours, so we think the community agrees that this is not going to happen, but we want to make sure.”

In the GSLP/Liberal party election manifesto for 2019, the party committed to a restoration of Rosia Bay and its mole as well as the building of a Military Museum.

Dr Keith Farrell, Chairman of the Gibraltar Heritage Trust, said that while the Trust would want to see this commitment materialise.

“We understand that there are financial constraints, but it doesn’t mean that you trash that promise and then put in a commercial enterprise to deface that area where there are no substantial provisions for parking, for sewage,” Dr Farrell said.

“And then tag on the repair of the Mole which is historically extremely valuable quite apart from all the environmental issues that need to be cared for.”

“The mole needs repairing and we need to look for an alternative way, and at least secure it for the next few winters because the winter storms are a problem.”

“We understand the urgency of trying to repair this but the commercial route is not the answer.”

Dr Farrell said it has gone from an ex-MOD controlled area, to just being abandoned, and the public has never been able to enjoy it properly.

Dr Keith Bensusan, of GONHS, said Rosia Bay is a special place in Gibraltar where the natural environment and heritage are “in synergy”, but is “desperately in need” of refurbishment.

“That refurbishment has to be done that is extremely sensitive to the site’s heritage and natural value and the site needs to be accessible to the public, every last bit of it,” Dr Bensusan added.

He said that the project is still “very early days” of the planning process, but remains confident that the project will be voted against by members of the DPC.

Gibraltar was buzzing with teams today from around 9am this morning, heading to sites, ready to do their bit for our environment – with great success!

Over 500 volunteers, at 26 sites, cleared, picked, grabbed and swept shorelines, revetments, underwater sites, open water and various green habitats throughout our Nature Reserve, in a bid to free them of plastics, and other non-biodegradable waste. Several truckloads later the day has ended with many positive stories, some frustrations over litter found, and lessons learnt as per every year.

While we go through the teams reports and feedback we wanted to take this chance to thank everyone who took part and those who supported the campaign.

Our volunteers displayed great civic pride and care for our beautiful environment and that is priceless.

We shall be releasing a more detailed account of the actions taken and the campaigns current aims very soon.

CLEAN UP THE WORLD 2021 PRESS RELEASE

Organisers of this years Clean up the World are pleased to confirm widespread support from our community for this Saturday’s awareness raising action. Schools, Clubs, Agencies, NGOs, businesses, families and the Gibraltar Regiment will make up the over 500 volunteers registered.

26 teams and supporters will be spread throughout our coastlines, green areas and a few estates picking up litter and expressing civic pride.

Abseiling, boat access, dive clean ups and open water sites will also be tackled.

We are thankful for the overwhelming support and enthusiasm shown in response to the call out for volunteers and believe our environment will once again benefit from this great community effort. We also thank the Department of the Environment and Britannia for their assistance and support.

The knock-on effects from the clean ups last far beyond the weekend action where team work, networking across sectors of our society, and testing our cleaning and maintenance programmes positively contributes to improving how we behave in our natural environment and importantly how we must look after it.

Naturally we believe facilities, education and enforcement on littering and fly tipping are also important targets in this campaign and are highlighted among our volunteers and the wider community via the media.

Watch out for our volunteers on Saturday morning and for further reports next week.

CLEAN UP THE WORLD 2021 PRESS RELEASE

Organisers of this years Clean up the World are pleased to confirm widespread support from our community for this Saturday’s awareness raising action. Schools, Clubs, Agencies, NGOs, businesses, families and the Gibraltar Regiment will make up the over 500 volunteers registered.

26 teams and supporters will be spread throughout our coastlines, green areas and a few estates picking up litter and expressing civic pride.

Abseiling, boat access, dive clean ups and open water sites will also be tackled.

We are thankful for the overwhelming support and enthusiasm shown in response to the call out for volunteers and believe our environment will once again benefit from this great community effort. We also thank the Department of the Environment and Britannia for their assistance and support.

The knock-on effects from the clean ups last far beyond the weekend action where team work, networking across sectors of our society, and testing our cleaning and maintenance programmes positively contributes to improving how we behave in our natural environment and importantly how we must look after it.

Naturally we believe facilities, education and enforcement on littering and fly tipping are also important targets in this campaign and are highlighted among our volunteers and the wider community via the media.

Watch out for our volunteers on Saturday morning and for further reports next week.

Joint Press Release 8th September 2021

Rosia Bay

The ESG, GONHS and GHT are vehemently opposed to a development that is being proposed at Rosia Bay. 

The site is hugely important to Gibraltar as a community, leisure, heritage and ecological area, not to mention its international significance to European naval history.

The scheme proposes residential development of up to 75 residential units, despite the site being designated as a tourism, leisure, and recreational area only by the Gibraltar Development Plan 2009.  Furthermore, in 2016 the DPC unanimously rejected a proposed residential development at Rosia Bay that included only six apartments. The GSLP/Liberal party election manifesto in 2019 included plans for the restoration of the Bay and the provision of a recreational facility which is more in line with preserving the value and setting of this special place.

The Scoping Report for the EIA process for the proposal was today ratified on majority by the DPC.  Significantly, no imagery or plans have been submitted to date to inform the scoping report.

Aside from the residential units, the proposal also includes commercial units, onsite residential and commercial parking facilities, the extension of the current concrete platform and coastline westwards by about 12m which will include costal protection works and a crown wall of approximately 3-4m in height.

Privatisation of any part of the Bay is unacceptable.  Marring of the heritage value of structures at or around the site is unacceptable.  Our view is that any development that includes a residential element or significant massing at the site should not be entertained from the outset, and we cannot comprehend why a project that includes residential development is being considered. We are confident that the public will join us in urging that development at Rosia Bay focuses solely on restoring the heritage asset and providing public amenity.  The site deserves it, and so do Gibraltar’s people.