The ESG attended today’s press conference organised by the GSD where the Lloyds LNG Report on the Power Station, location and related bunkering activity was delivered. While still digesting the report, the ESG considers the key findings by Lloyds, of this project at this location, which it deems will create unacceptably high levels of risk to the community, to be of great concern.

The group has called upon Government for factual and technical reports to be published on the use of LNG in the new power station since its decision to use LNG was announced. The ESG hopes that the Lloyds report will prompt Government to now issue its own supporting safety documentation which has allowed it to proceed thus far in its plan

The ESG would like to add its voice to welcoming, finally, the financial settlement to the family, of the contract worker who tragically lost his life after an accident at the Nature Port Sullage Plant some years ago.

This will offer some closure to them and hopefully also draw a line under the industrial incident, which was found in court to have happened due to several counts of Health and Safety breaches by the company in question.

The group hopes that all industrial activity in Gibraltar will, from now on, undergo the highest level of operational scrutiny by the authorities to avoid any similar accidents from happening again in future. It further hopes that the contract for sullage collection and onward shipment out of Gibraltar with no local treatment will go out to tender so that international companies with a good unblemished record in these activities can offer their services to Gibraltar.

Key Words: Nuclear Subs, LNG, Power Station, World Environment Day, Traffic, and Jellyfish

Its certainly been a busy few weeks on the environmental front- from nuclear subs to on going press exchanges in the media on the new power station and LNG; we have also seen a few changes underway regarding traffic management measures and heard the Minister for Transport announce on a television party political broadcast that an implementation plan on traffic and transport measures will soon be published. Everyone knows how the trickier aspects of the plan, to target core traffic problems and create real changes on the ground, requires political courage and public support. Lets hope for all our sakes that there will be sufficient quantities of both to move forward with these as fast as possible.

The ESG continues to raise its concerns directly with Government over the need for more information to be published regarding its full intentions for the new power station and all technical and safety reports supporting its decision.

Tomorrow sees World Environment Day celebrated in Gibraltar. This years theme is ”Consume with Care” – an ethos very closely tied with Reduce, Reuse Recycle. This mantra is one that we, as a group, have firmly supported via our Clean up the World campaign urging everyone to recycle and to think about their day-to-day actions. Of course with 7 billion of us and counting, individual actions MUST be accompanied by government policies and industry support. It was heartening to hear France’s latest pledge, for instance, confirming that all its supermarket chains have to donate unsold food stocks to charities, for animal feed, or towards energy production. It would no longer allow this precious resource to end up in landfill. Its incredible both that it was going to landfill and that it has taken legislation to change this –still, if that’s what is needed, then all other countries should follow. How about Gibraltar? With more of these common sense measures we could start turning the tide, much needs to be done.

It is well documented that at the going rate of consumption, three planets will be needed to meet the demands of a fast growing population, believed to reach 9.6 billion by 2050. Our Worlds resources should be shared more equitably, of that there is no doubt – how this can be achieved with our ruthless yet practical capital system of growth is hard to see but many will agree that the World Environment Day 2015 theme of Seven Billion Dreams – One Planet – Consume with Care – makes a lot of sense and should be strived for. Each of us has a role to play too and tomorrow will remind us just how to do this.

Check out the World Environment Day event at the Piazza tomorrow between 10am and 2pm marking this important date in the environmental calendar. The ESG will have a stall there too.

Many are already aware of the huge presence of jellyfish in our waters at this time. They have been largely absent in the recent past but may be here to stay for the summer. Do, therefore, watch out, if you need too cool off. Global warming, overfishing and human intervention – especially breakwaters that protect sandy beaches but provide a home for larvae – are all blamed.

Also, Western beach continues to record regular sewage readings on the bathing water data site operated by the Environmental Agency – so check out before you swim is the sensible motto this summer! Their website is environmental-agency.gi.

To learn more about the ESG please visit our website at: www.esg-gib.net call us on 200-48996, mobile 54960000 or email us with any enquiry to: esg@gibtelecom.net

ESG Press Release
HMS Ambush
Monday 25th May 2015

The ESG has received a number of reports from concerned members of the public regarding statements in the Spanish media about problems with the nuclear submarine, HMS Ambush, berthed in Gibraltar.

According to the Captain of the Port, in a statement made to Mariners via the port website, there has been a 200m exclusion zone around the submarine over the weekend due to the movement of dangerous materials as well as the closure of the southern port entrance.

The ESG would like to know exactly what these dangerous materials are.

Significant concerns have been raised across the border as the Spanish press has extrapolated from the Captain’s statement that this could relate to radioactive materials.
It has also raised some concerns here among our own community, as there has been no news on this at all provided via the local media.

The ESG calls upon Government to verify precisely what has happened at the port.

It must be noted that a large LNG Carrier has also been anchoring a few hundred metres from the nuclear submarine adding further to the groups concerns.

The ESG will be taking up these issues in a meeting it will be having with Government soon.

ESG Radio Newsletter

Good day! In our last newsletter we stated that the UK elections were very clearly avoiding environmental issues, and focusing almost exclusively on the economy and National Health matters. The Green Party was obviously raising issues of longterm sustainability and climate change, but even they had to portray this through a traditional political platform or prism.

We were heartened therefore to hear discussions in our own “local House of Parliament” yesterday spending a few hours on local and regional environmental issues, at an informed level. This is important and welcomed by our group.

As an NGO we continue to report problems, lobby on key issues and raise awareness as much as we can.

With the summer almost upon us, here in Gibraltar, we become more sensitive to the environment we live in and the warmer weather worsens existing pollution problems which tend to hang around as well as become more acute in higher temperatures. This week we have rec’d reports via facebook as well as phone calls and emails from different corners of the Rock signalling that, while politicians, are at last talking about these issues together, on both sides of the house, action is still required to eliminate the known sources of pollution.

For example, the Dockyard has been incredibly busy these past few weeks with vessels lined up, but what has been an additional problem is that ships at quayside or in dry dock have had and continue to have their engines running. These smoky emissions are harmful to our health and similar to what is produced by power stations, burning, as they do, the same type of fuel. Ships obviously have to power their way in and out of the harbour but surely they must be ordered to switch off their engines and connect to the local electric grid when stationary?

We know the authorities are trying to deal with this problem but we shall continue to monitor and report this, as the situation is ongoing.

Talking about Western Beach– number of points here. Very pleased that the European Commission is publicly and formally acknowledging La Linea dumping sewage right into our coastline – but action is needed. Politics as usual is in the way of speedy solutions, but how much longer do we have to wait before something is done about this? Perhaps now the acknowledgment has been made, legal action is a real option for Gibraltar to force Spain, via the EU, to spend the money and make the infrastructural changes necessary. If you look at the environmental agency website you will see that a moderate but steady amount of sewage continues to appear at this beach. Also that data is at best 48 hours old, or 4 days old over weekends, meaning that should there be a spike at the time you are swimming, you will not know about it.

Check out other beaches water quality and make up your own mind. This is at environmentalagency.gi.

Interesting and welcome to hear senior political figures in Spain, from Podemos, concerned about Bay pollution. While not mentioning industrial pollution the shipping activity mentioned occurs from all major ports surrounding the Strait, which are clearly contributing towards a blanket of pollution in the area. This is a big problem, which must be acknowledged, …but can it be addressed?? We shall be issuing a separate press release on this soon.

Only this morning the Algeciras authorities are raising concerns with their Port about the heavy fumes affecting their town and community. Clearly port activity and economy is important to all communities in this region but health and safety of people and the environment is as important and one should not grow at the expense of the other.

Finally, yesterday’s DPC carried a number of interesting items. Some have been briefly commented in the main media but not all and we shall be writing further comments on this on our website which you can find at: esg-gib.net

Please get in touch if you want to become a member, make any enquiries or need information. We are grateful for donations and support for our work that is done entirely by volunteers. Our email is: esg@gibtelecom.net tel: 200-48996 or mobile 54960000. Thanks for listening!

Radio Broadcast – Key words: elections, air pollution, LNG, bunkering, DPC

With UK elections looming – much focus is being given to issues like the NHS and Immigration, cost of living and cutbacks – Important though these obviously are, it is quite worrying how the environment, pollution and climate change are hardly being given a mention.

Increasingly however, one reads more and more medical reports linking health problems to air pollution, with an article in today’s Guardian claiming it to be more costly to the NHS, around 15bn pounds per year, than obesity and alcoholism combined, and yet this is not seemingly addressed, with the UK failing to meet EU standards on air quality.

In Gibraltar, we too are failing to meet air quality standards on a number of pollutants, which will be having a bearing on our community. Two key factors affecting air quality locally is power generation and traffic. On the first we can see some movement as preparations move forward at the North Mole. However, there is no completion date in sight – indeed there are a number of technical challenges facing Govt, which are being addressed, but on this count, we are still some years off from removing the present polluting load from the existing power stations and generators. The ESG is holding a series of meetings with technical experts involved in the new generating station to share our concerns and ideas. The LNG question remains pending and this will also be influencing progress. The Traffic Implementation Plan has not yet seen the light of day even though measures are popping up here and there. Clearly major steps need to be taken to reduce the negative impacts from traffic significantly.

Another issue growing at present is that of bunkering fumes. We have received a number of reports from the Waterport Terraces area and have directed people to contact the relevant authorities. ESG Committee members only this week took a boat ride in the harbour and experienced very strong smells in the vicinity of the mother vessel berthed at the detached mole. We shall be following this up directly with all relevant authorities, as it is really important to safeguard our quality of life as well as our health. With summer upon us such fumes are exacerbated and people need to keep their windows open at home.

The ESG hopes that informed and factual debate will form the basis for discussions during Gibraltar’s elections and that the environment will feature highly. We hope to see NGO’s holding such public discussions so that the community can also hear what the issues are and potential solutions, and not only whose fault it is in the past or present: The present heritage debate on the upper town, being a case in point.

On other matters last months Planning meeting was an interesting one with May’s proving to be equally so. The date for the next meeting is set for 20th May at 9.30am. Its possible that Marina Bay apartments and super yacht application will feature as well as other significant projects. Please note that agendas are posted online at the DPC website a week beforehand, and most importantly if you are lodging an objection, and wish to address the Commission, that you must do this in writing and as soon as possible.

If you would like further information about the ESG and what we do, please contact us via email: esg@gibtelecom.net , visit our website at: esg-gib.net or call 200-48996.

Europa Point and Football Stadium

ESG Press Release 17^th April 2015

The ESG would like to add its views to the on-going public debate by politicians and media on the issue of the Football Stadium located at Europa Point. At our committee meeting this week it was agreed that we would re-issue our press statement, published in March 2014, containing our concerns over the many environmental impacts posed by this project, to set the record straight, from our point of view.

We believe the issues are not of design, or political, but of location with the many environmental impacts this major project could have: issues of

 Traffic/pollution/the brutal conversion of a valued unique and open landscape/ effects on the UNESCO bid/major litter threat in protected marine environment and more –

 The ESG urges for the outcome of the DPC meeting on this application, which directed the GFA to present information on the extensive environmental impact assessment for this location, as well as on all alternatives considered, to take place without further delay. This is a matter that concerns a great majority of our community. It is hoped that Gibraltar is mature enough to make the right decision on this and that the GFA can focus its energy on an appropriate site.

**See following link for ESG March 2014 full statement on environmental concerns

(http://www.esg-gib.net/?s=Europa+Point+Football+Stadium&input.x=0&input.y=0&input=Go)

ESG Radio Newsletter 16^th April 2015 –        Key words:      DPC, Football Stadium, LNG

We would like to focus our newsletter on a number of issues relevant to our local environment. Firstly- the next DPC meeting looms with a dizzying agenda of applications on demolitions, antennae installations and fresh construction proposals. Police Barracks, Flat Bastion Road, Marina Bay and Plata Villa are some of the projects to be discussed as well as a fresh round of mobile mast and other antennae installations. Knowing the public interest that exists in these projects we would like to remind those listening that the public are welcome to attend these sessions. Meeting takes place on Wednesday 22^nd April as from 9.30am at the John Mackintosh Hall, Charles Hunt Room. The Marina Bay apartments and Super Yacht berthing facilities will once again have a dedicated meeting as from 2.00pm that same day. You can check the DPC agenda for details at: Town Planning Gibraltar, DPC link.

What isn’t up for discussion yet but is seeing on-going public debate by politicians and via the media, especially social media, is the issue of the Football Stadium at Europa Point. At our committee meeting this week it was agreed that we would re-issue our press statement on environmental concerns, published in March 2014, posed by this project, to set the record straight from our point of view. We believe the issues are not of design, or political, but of location with the many environmental impacts this could have: you can see traffic/pollution/gridlock/the brutal conversion of a valued unique and open landscape/ effects on the UNESCO bid, and much more, and it is crucial that the outcome of the last DPC meeting on this which directed the GFA to present information on an environmental impact assessment for this location, as well as on all alternatives considered, takes place, without further delay. This is a matter that concerns a great majority of our community. It is hoped that Gibraltar is mature enough to make the right decision on this and that the GFA can focus its energy on an appropriate site.

Another matter that has surfaced recently is that of LNG, that’s Liquid Natural Gas, ship-to-ship transfers, or STS’s. We have seen two take place so far and we have raised our concerns publicly on this new activity in our waters, which started without any prior warning, information or announcements made. Following on from televised debates in which we participated and discussions at the House on the safety risks posed by LNG as a fuel, and as storage, for the new power station, the sight of giant LNG tankers carrying out this new activity in our waters in the midst of the on-going debate truly beggars belief, however safe the authorities consider it to be. The publics concerns need to be responded to with facts and information and not simply assurances.

The ESG strongly believes there continues to be room for concerns and questions that need to be answered in respect of Gibraltar’s preparedness regarding an LNG incident and also and importantly, the economic benefits that LNG STS transfers brings our community today in light of additional safety risks they carry, however small some may consider these to be. Contrary to what has been said, this type of activity is not widely carried out.

Following meetings to be held with different authorities the ESG will issue further statements soon.

Thank you for listening. Please visit our website for all past press statements and news of our many campaigns. All Radio Newsletters are also published online: check this out at: esg-gib.net. Email us with any comments or questions at esg@gibtelecom.net

ESG press statement re Ship to Ship Transfer of LNG – update
Given that a ship to ship LNG transfer, has taken place in Gibraltar, for the first time ever on Friday the 20th March, the ESG reiterates its call for Government to confirm that the right conditions are in place for this activity to be carried out.
The public need a response from GoG stating if there is the necessary safety regulation and enforcement and expertise locally, to carry this out safely, together with the necessary emergency protocols and capabilities.

See story published on local news station:

http://gbc.gi/news/5713/lng-ship-to-ship-tranfer;-esg-asks-government-for-reassurances

The ESG draws attention to on-going LNG discussions in Gibraltar with concerns made to the group today of a potential ship to ship LNG transfer to be permitted by the Gibraltar Port Authority from vessels presently in the Bay.

While the group understands this particular transfer will not be carried out until the right weather conditions are in place, this activity nevertheless raises questions that the group believes need to be answered by the authorities.

•  Does Gibraltar have the necessary equipment and expertise to respond to an accident emanating from a ship-to-ship LNG transfer, however remote the possibility?
•  What are the minimum safety procedures required by the Gibraltar Port Authority in this situation and is there a relevant safety compliance certificate issued and by whom?
•  If, as has been advised to the group on its enquiries, the emptied LNG vessel is to be dry-docked, can the authorities confirm that this will be in Gibraltar and can assurances be given publicly that this does not pose any safety risks.