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.