Once again the Bluefin Tuna Fishing Season has opened in Gibraltar. Sadly, as per every year, the quota also continues to rise.

The ESG continues to oppose the practice of sport fishing of such an important marine species previously endangered, now ‘in recovery’, or other status, depending on the source of information. 

It was an important moment for the ESG to meet with Tony Juniper at the Aspire Conference, a major trailblazer for the environment for decades, and an inspiration for action.

In his Chronicle interview it was heartening to hear his recommendations to Gibraltar as to the need to diversify from our trade in fossil fuels for bunkering of ships and other vehicle fuel sales. This trade accounts for approximately 90% of our overall GHG emissions total.

This is a big issue for the group that has campaigned for years to see this major greenhouse house contributor feature far more prominently on our climate target aspirations.

“Overall, his reflections and comments were spot on”, says a spokesperson for the ESG,  “and we hope he will continue to visit Gibraltar and hopefully see us rise to the challenges laid before us.”

The ESG congratulates the Department of the Environment as organisers of the Aspire Conference, for a very well run and thought-provoking event.

Dynamic opening speeches from DCM Dr Joseph Garcia and Friends of the Earth ex Director, Tony Juniper, set the tone for the event with the latter calling for action and need for a revolution to address the climate emergency we are so clearly facing.

Focusing on sustainable development, some of the points made during the day include:

– large scale Government intervention required

–  robust response from industry and business needed,

–  community engagement

–  integrated development to encourage community friendly environment

–  adoption of simple and well tried measures to increase sustainability from scratch

–  exploration of all possible benefits of electrical solutions

–  the urgent need to foster a circular based economy that promotes reuse and recycling of unwanted or broken waste to reduce the reckless demand for our worlds dwindling resources

All with immediate effect and all measures supported by the ESG.

It was made clear by a number of speakers that the earlier sustainable practices are introduced in a construction project, the more financially viable they become. In the same way, buildings need to be prepared so their green credentials, once operational, can be efficiently measured.

The importance of radical change in development where most of the building is constructed offsite was another crucial point made. This method can reduce CO2 by up to 80% as well as reduce local impacts and pollution. Building ‘adaptable structures’ that can respond to different needs over time was a case very well made too. A strong message made, which we have failed to follow here in Gibraltar, is that:

“ the greenest building is the one we already have..”

• Those at the conference were clearly inspired by the many excellent speakers but, unless the Government, together with industry, rise to the challenge of the climate emergency, the conference will have failed in its aspirations, and this would be a disaster for the future. The group urges a greater commitment for greener and strategic construction from all in the sector and will lend its support wherever possible.