Amidst the plethora of developments and projects announced recently the ESG would like to share its concerns over the Data Centre referred to in Parliament and in the media this week. This type of project carries significant environmental impacts. The technology, growing exponentially, is known to be causing widespread concerns globally in terms of vast energy and water consumption. Therefore, the introduction of this investment by global business players in our small jurisdiction, should be seen against this backdrop.

Minister Bossano’s subsequent interviews are offering more information which addresses some concerns but not all. Location, for example, and the way this project was first made public caused alarm and worries in the community. That there are other areas less obtrusive and not affecting people or the environment such as our available tunnelling for example, is clearly positive. However, the wider impacts on energy and water use required to run these centres cannot be underestimated and must be explained. Especially in such a small place in Gibraltar where our energy and water is so costly and its production finite. If indeed, as has been said, the project would be run on renewable energy and be water independent then details of these must also be provided.

Issues of water discharge regarding temperature and chemicals have also been raised with the group.

The Minister has also said it would bring great benefit to our community but given this is a business venture with no Govt investment we ask what the benefits would be and for whom.

The Climate Emergency requires us to work towards targets already difficult to meet. Adding a Data Centre will place these forever out of reach.  If the environmental options for the production of energy and water referred to for this centre are available, then couldn’t these be better used for Gibraltar’s own general use?

The ESG calls upon Government to reconsider this project, certainly, and in so far as the information supplied to date, on the concerns about the immediate impact on our community and the environment.  There is also the alarming nature of the rapid spread of these data centres run entirely by businesses globally, without factoring in their huge impacts on greenhouse gas emissions threatening the planets efforts to meet climate targets.

The group has been contacted by several members of our community which has prompted us to share our views.

ESG PR ON IT’S TOUR OF GIBRALTAR’S FIRST ELECTRIC BUS

It is with some relief that the ESG can strongly welcome the arrival of the first 3 electric buses to Gibraltar. This major step signals what the group hopes will be the fast roll-out of all zones being replaced with these impressive and clean emission vehicles.

ESG thanks Stewart Harrison from the Ministry of Transport who provided a first-hand experience with a visit to the Bus Depot and tour of the Upper Town Route in a brand-new electric bus, destined, for now, for Upper Rock purposes. The group was informed that the Upper Town electric buses will be up and running by 1^st of September.  

The group can testify that the ride was extremely comfortable on every level, especially in the knowledge that there were no kerbside emissions as a result either produced in such comfort.

“We trust this step indicates a true commitment to green up all of Gibraltar’s public transport needs that will also comply with Gibraltar’s climate targets and responsibility to public health and safety,” said a spokesperson.

The group joined members of the Dept of the Environment and Bus Company on their trip where much discussion was held about the issues of public transport in Gibraltar today.

The Gibraltar Baton Relay Clean up

Held in support of the Royal Commonwealth Society’s Commonwealth Clean Oceans Plastics Campaign

12^th May 2026

‘Last weekend saw a group of volunteers clear a vast amount of waste from a seafront location at Waterport. A great team from Bayside School students and teachers, together with the Dept of the Environment EPRU team, Gibraltar Baton Committee, and the ESG, rolled up sleeves, donned gloves, and pickers, and carried out the removal of a considerable amount of waste in little over an hour. This included all types of plastic, food wrappers and trade & construction litter.

The Clean up was carried out in support of the ‘Commonwealth Clean Oceans Plastics Campaign’ by the Royal Commonwealth Society and formed part of the King’s Baton Relay programme on the Rock.

Volunteers were equipped by the ESG and supported by the Dept of the Environment and the local Baton Committee. The key aim was to raise awareness about the dangers of plastic waste in the 74 Commonwealth member nations as they celebrated their time with the baton.

The hard work by volunteers also exposed the ongoing problems at this waterfront site which regularly sees waste likely from the activity from trade and construction sites in the area as well as food and drink related litter from those often seen taking lunch breaks in the area, with many leaving rubbish on the rocks. Follow up by the authorities was discussed on site and is clearly needed.

The clean-up demonstrated that citizen spirit is very much alive, as is often seen with beach clean ups by The Nautilus Project, and the annual ESG’s Flagship Clean up Campaign since 2005. The date this year is the 20^th of September with registration now possible at esg@gibtelecom.net.

The ESG strongly welcomes the fact that a long-established event such as the King’s Baton Symbolic Relay, has this year, embraced the need to highlight the hazard of plastic waste in the oceans and need for action, in all participating countries.

It also very much thanks those who helped clean up on the day who should be very proud of what they achieved for our living environment as well as supporting such a worthy cause of removing harmful waste from our seas.’