ESG Congratulates Bishop Fitzgerald’s School Clean up

July 2019

Before the end of term the entire year 7’s from Bishop Fitzgerald’s school carried out a very successful clean up at Eastern Beach.

Apart from the incidental piece of plastic, the pupils managed to locate and remove quite a few large items of metal, wood etc. that they found in the

northern section of the beach. They filled several bags and separated into different waste streams and were very pleased to do their bit for the

environment.

The clean up resulted in a net gain for the natural environment and beach users alike. This has highlighted however, the fact that despite care taken, some

construction waste is finding its way onto the beach and more needs to be done to contain this away from the recreational area.

The ESG was very pleased to be able to kit out the 100 volunteers and teachers with gloves, pickers, buckets, bags, sacks etc. and commends the teachers for

supporting the youngsters in carrying out such an important awareness-raising task ahead of the summer. The Department of the Environment also assisted in

the collection of the rubbish removed by the pupils.

Coalition for Climate Action (CCA)

A coalition of groups called ‘Coalition for Climate Action’ or, CCA, has this week been established in support of the citizens’ role to see action taken locally on Climate Change. The coalition is made up of the following:

• Gibraltar Ornithological & Natural History Society
• Gibraltar Heritage Trust
• Pollution Watch
• Sustainable Gibraltar
• The Nautilus Project
• Environmental Safety Group

In response to Government’s own stated ‘Climate Emergency Pledge’ a number of public meetings have been held, with groups supporting petitions as well as a recent local protest. The groups consider a coalition is now called for to coordinate and plan a sustained campaign on the most pressing issue of our time.

The CCA’s key aims are as follows:-

• For the setting up of a totally independent Climate Body, funded and tasked to roll out a cross-party supported agenda, set in a timeframe that legally binds all future administrations
• For the areas to be addressed by the Climate Body to include: Pollution/Waste/Energy/Transport & Development
• For the transition away from use and trade of fossil fuels

The newly formed coalition also thanks the Minister for the Environment for his formal response to the House Petition that was also duly published. In it the Minister stresses his Government’s own agreement with the petition’s objectives. The coalition commends the framework produced under the new Climate Act as well as the detailed commitments laid before parliament by the Minister and the recent passing of the bill, supported by all sides of the House.

The newly formed coalition nevertheless reiterates its call for the Climate Body to be independent, reporting to parliament and the community, and for an action plan with clearly defined timelines for the radical reduction of our carbon output to be set and rigorously followed with palpable consequences for delays in the process.

The CCA is presently seeking a meeting with Government.

The ESG attended the recent San Roque environmental protest that was supported by an impressive number of people, some 1500 was estimated. The protest had been called in response to a major fire that occurred at a plastics factory in San Roque that had alarmed the region. The incident further highlighted grave concerns from the community of the inadequate emergency advice and protocols by the authorities, during the very visual and frightening spectre of one plant that had gone up following an explosion in close proximity to major petroleum installations nearby.

Of course the raging fire produced copious, thick black smoke that caused the urgent call up of our own contingency team in Gibraltar with advice being provided via media for people to avoid inhalation and stay indoors. There was no information provided by Spain to Gibraltar as far as we know and this is also unacceptable.

The many speakers who took to the stage at the protest demanded a change from the dirty, chemical industries that have increasingly occupied the Campo area for decades, calling, instead for cleaner alternatives, that also recognises the urgency of Climate Change. The people, they said, deserve to live in a safe and clean environment where they can breathe clean air and enjoy the same quality of life as exists elsewhere in the Iberian peninsula. The ESG agrees with all their aims and was proud to represent the many Gibraltarians at home who we know share the same concerns about these heavily polluting industries. For more on these issues visit our news section on our website – esg-gib.net.

A reminder that 2019 Clean up the World will take place on the 21^st September. You can register your team via email at esg@gibtelecom.net. More news on this soon.

If you haven’t yet done so please sign a live petition being run by 6 local NGOs campaigning on Climate Change – simply visit change.org and enter parents strike Gibraltar. Numbers are now around 1,300 and we need to keep going on this. Please sign and share with friends and family. Signature collection days are planned for August and early September where representatives from each NGO will be out and about to also discuss this all important issue with members of the public. This petition will be handed in to Government on completion of a protest planned for the 20^th September in support of a global movement on that day.

Next DPC meeting is to be held on the 31^st July. Mark it in your diary as it is likely to include large developments.

We mentioned in our last newsletter that the DPC would be holding a special DPC session to consider the Bob Peliza housing project next to a busy 24hour Port, at the existing GibElec site. The ESG presented its many concerns and these were all debated in full. The Chronicle in fact carried a detailed article on the discussion which can be found in their 9^th July edition.

Visit our website for more environmental news

ESG RE PROTEST IN SAN ROQUE

Last Friday the ESG joined environmental groups and various associations on a Verdemar organised protest in the town of San Roque. The protest was in direct response to the fire incident at the Indorama Plastics factory on the 25^th June 2019. There was a very high turnout, with thousands quoted by different entities. It was clear this industrial accident had caused widespread concern among local and bay residents.

The strength of feeling came across in the many placards held high and slogans chanted by protesters. The protesters made their way to a large square where a stage was set and a number of speakers addressed the people.

Speakers highlighted the failure from authorities and industry to provide prompt information and emergency advice to surrounding residents during the blaze. The downplaying of the dangers that followed regarding the toxicity of the thick smoke also angered protesters.

Strong and moving statements were made and finally a pledge to call on everyone present to support sustained action calling for the authorities to regulate industry, carry out robust health studies and importantly to support a moratorium on further growth of chemical industry in the Bay. The need for Action on Climate Change and a call to see a move away from fossil fuel industry was also raised.

The ESG has worked on these issues over the years and fully supports these aims.

ESG Radio Newsletter 4^th July 2019

– It has been an extremely busy time for environmental activism – a very good thing! July is the time we usually start planning our annual Clean up the World event that will make 2019 the 15^th concurrent year Gibraltar supports this global, hands-on campaign. It promotes civic pride and highlights where this breaks down throughout Gibraltar in our green areas, underwater sites and coastline. Plans will now be rolled out and partners contacted in a bid to improve issues, not just on littering, but on waste management and handling, and on education and enforcement. The date is 21^st September the day after the Parents March for Climate Action so a busy time ahead.

– The ESG has always reached out to the community to address these environmental issues and the Clean up is one such example where multiple entities get involved to give this important agenda a major shift forward. Naturally we are very aware and supportive of the sustained efforts by The Nautilus Project with our schools focusing on the marine environment and plastic waste and inspiring the young to care. Very well done to them.

– We have also been involved in a number of climate change events. Starting with ESG led public mtgs, this has seen a number of petitions and marches to bring these issues to the heart of our community. The collaboration between NGOs is very positive and includes: the GONHS, the Heritage Trust, The ESG, The Nautilus Project, Pollution Watch and Sustainable Gibraltar. Thanks to all those who came out in support of the march and to the 3MPs who received a copy of the House Petition on the day. What is clear is that the issue is urgent and we need urgent action plans.

– There is a second, live petition online that will run through the summer– head to Change.org enter Parents strike Climate Gibraltar and you can add your signature. Please share with your family and friends. Petition will be handed to Government on completion of a march being held on the 20^th September. It asks for the accurate assessment of the carbon contribution from our: Energy, Waste, Transport, Pollution & Development use and activity and contains a number of proposals. It asks for cross party support to fully depoliticise any ensuing plan.

– Last weeks fire in San Roque was both shocking and worrying at the time and served to galvanise focus and concern over the large industrial complex once more. We went to an NGO gathering in San Roque and renewed links with many long-term friends and colleagues involved in cross border environmental campaigns. There is great concern that this fire underpinned the serious lack of adequate standards within these industries, the lack of independent monitoring of air pollution from these industries (a long held concern) and lack of inspection by pertinent authorities on how these industries are being run on the ground. Indeed the fact the Environmental Ministry in La Junta has been disbanded raises very serious concerns that are being played out with unauthorised reclamation, fast expansion of industrial facilities despite accidents heralding problems, rapid urbanisation of previously protected national park lands in Tarifa and more.

– ESG is exploring the placing of complaints at cross border level with the EU and will also be supporting environmental protests calling for action on cleaning up and limiting the degradation of the natural environment in this part of the world. For those wanting to attend the protest in San Roque date is set for the 12^th July at 8.30pm

– We also look at our own issues locally and will be publishing our updated list of Objectives as we have done since 2003 as we enter the season of election preparations and lobbying of all political parties.

– Catch a dedicated session of DPC next Monday 8^th July at 9.30am where Bob Peliza Mews Govt proposal will be presented. The ESG has concerns about the proximity to a 24hour busy commercial port and these and other issues will be discussed at the mtg.

The ESG is very pleased with the outcome of the march held yesterday for action on Climate Change. It thanks Anne Marie Morello for proposing and organising the march and all NGOs and citizens that came out in support.

Representatives from the GONHS, The Nautilus Project, Sustainable Gibraltar, Pollution Watch, Heritage Trust and the ESG were present.

Aim of the march was twofold:

– to raise awareness about the need for action on climate change and to maintain focus on this critical issue

– to present a House Petition to all three parties via 3 members of parliament calling for a cross party approach to climate action amongst other measures

Petitioners thank Dr John Cortes, Trevor Hammond and Marlene Hassan Nahon for receiving this petition and meeting with the marchers.

Minister for the Environment presented petitioners with a formal reply which is now being considered.

A spokesperson said, “It is clear that the growing, global public clamour for action is now being felt here in Gibraltar and meaningful, tangible steps towards reducing our climate impacts should be set out urgently”.

On this point the ESG would like to welcome the tender announced today for renewable onshore wind power.

NGOs also welcome the fact that the House Petition was laid before parliament today by Minister Cortes naming support from MPs Marlene H Nahon and Trevor Hammond. We now await developments.