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  • Concerns over another collision off Gibraltar


    27th May 2011

    “A report in the Gibraltar Chronicle that a minor collision occurred off Gibraltar this week between a Chinese ship and a floating petrol vessel anchored in the bay is of extreme concern to the ESG. This is a grave reminder of the very real threat posed to our environment from existing maritime activity. This “minor” collision reminds us that even with the application of best technology such as Vessel Tracking Systems in place and trained personnel that – accidents do and will continue to happen.

    In a press release issued by the ESG in January 2011 we highlighted this risk in response to the official launch by the Port of Gibraltar of its new VTS monitoring technology. We expressed concerns then that while the VTS would have an immaculate record of what happened, it would not necessarily be able to prevent an incident. This latest collision demonstrates how our concerns have been realised and how important it is for the Gibraltar Government to rethink its planned bunkering expansion to the East Side. The ESG believes that VTS should be used to increase distance between ships and therefore safety, and not to increase shipping density.”

     

    See below ESG PR Jan 2011 on VTS

    ESG on the VTS (Vessel Tracking System)        13th January 2011

    The ESG welcomes the news of the VTS system finally being introduced in the Port of Gibraltar. The group also expects that the new safety cushion created by the system on the present level of shipping should not once again be eroded by increasing the amount of shipping. This is akin to the refinery reducing air emissions per ton of oil processed but then increasing its capacity to negate this and even add more pollution.

    If traffic is increased so that there is a greater concentration of shipping around Gibraltar this will further reduce the distance between ships and/or the reaction time available to the Port to react to a crisis situation which will make serious shipping incidents very likely.

    The ESG adds that we might have an immaculate record of what happened and how it happened but the incident will not have been avoided.

    The group takes this opportunity of urging the Gibraltar Government to rethink current plans to expand bunkering activity to the eastern side of the Rock



    DETAILS OF ESG WISH LIST HERE


     

    May 2011

    For the past decade the ESG has campaigned locally, regionally, and at European and global level for a healthy environment pressing for environmental policies to be matched by investment and political will.[1] The following, if adequately addressed, would go a long way towards making the necessary environmental improvements in Gibraltar:

    ON CLIMATE CHANGE

    a) Climate Change Forum to present biannual reports at public meetings to encourage community engagement, participation and awareness of the single most important issue facing humanity today;

    b) NGO participation important – climate change affects everyone and should be cross party and include interested stakeholders such as environmental NGO’s;

    c) This “Think Tank” should look at Gibraltar’s long term sustainability with regards to energy, water, and food, and map out alternative strategies for future secure provision of our basic needs. In the full knowledge that Climate Change and its impacts will have devastating consequences for future generations, it is essential that we take responsibility by launching a well funded research programme and plan of action and not simply expect others to “deal with this” at some future time!

    ENERGY

    a) Renewable Energy projects to be launched with short and long-term targets. Modern Power Station using diesel engines could be modified to use biofuel (such as olive oil from Europe, generated as a by product, available regionally) enabling Gibraltar to comply in time with EU Directives.

    b) Meanwhile a sustained programme is needed to modify our grid to allow selling of electricity to the Electricity Authority by private micro generation of electricity. (Solar Water Heating, Photovoltaics, Photovoltaic roof tiles, Micro Wind Turbines, etc.) ;

    c) Government Grants to be set up to encourage approved micro systems for renewable energy for the householder;

    d) Project to reduce our energy use for example only allowing the higher efficiency household items to be imported or highly taxing the less efficient items; (“A” classification items for energy consumption being the best) banning of importation of incandescent light bulbs; replacement of all street lighting for high efficiency LED’s or similar;

    e) While some reports on renewable energy feasibility for Gibraltar are already available (see MoD report 2005 – contact ESG for info) fresh research and focus into how best to harness energy from the multiple sources open to us needs to be set up with no further delay and for this to be done openly inviting ideas and resources from interested stakeholders;

    f) Gibraltar-wide study to be conducted to assess energy efficiency and consumption to limit unnecessary or wasteful practices;

    g) Vigorously pursue other Govt own stated objectives as set out under its Environmental and Action Management Plan;

     

    POLLUTION

    a) It’s important that our three ageing power stations are closed once the new replacement station is built within the expected deadline of end 2012. This would allow us to comply with EU directives on air quality and substantially elevate the quality of life in residential areas around these power stations;

    b) It is essential to place strict environmental controls on all polluting industry in Gibraltar to eliminate effects beyond the fence line e.g. oil treatment, desalination, dockyard, cement factories, refuse storage and transport, petrol stations, etc. Mitigating technologies exist and Government and the private sector should be directed to invest in environmental protection equipment and practice regardless of whether legally required. The absence of safe buffer zones due to our size demands that we do not only settle for compliance on environmental protection standards as do larger countries. It is after all, our own community and hence our own families we are trying to protect;

    c) Ensure the Precautionary Principle is a key factor when assessing impacts and mitigating needs of all industry related activity;

    d) Re-invent the Environment Agency to be target driven and results orientated with a mission to make Gibraltar as pollution free as possible. For this agency to become autonomous and independently enforce environmental and public health laws;

    e) Such targets to include the systematic application of BAT (Best Available Technology) in all industry;

    TRAFFIC

    a) Traffic reduction measures and schemes and new low emission public transport targets to be actively developed;

    b) Free Bus Service for local residents to be introduced without further delay;

    c) Incentives for low emission vehicles over heavily polluting ones to be applied (reward and penalising schemes);

    d) Control and eventual elimination of two-stroke motorbikes as these produce high levels of air and noise pollution;

    e) While welcome to see cycling encouraged on our roads, this cannot take place without accompanying rules and safety guidelines: Cycle lanes to be included in new roads/Warning Signs for motor vehicle drivers to be aware of cyclists/Cyclists to adhere to safe road use- e.g. set up road signs targeting cyclists-indicate, respect lights, etc.

    f) Road surfaces to be maintained year round as pot holes pose a serious danger to cyclists and motorbike riders, raising risk of accident and collision with cars;

    g) Increase road safety by creating more pavements to encourage walking

    g) Consideration of feedback from public consultation exercise on Govt Transport Plan namely ESG’s and ITWMC among others;

    RECYCLING

     

    a) Recycling of all our refuse – sustained public awareness and enforcement campaign;

    b) Enforcement of litter and fly tipping laws;

    c) Creation of a dedicated Eco Park to reduce fly tipping and waste piles (eye sores);

    d) Netting enclosure at City Dump to limit spread of lightweight waste onto our roads and green cliffs;

    e) Facilities to be provided at the City Dump to receive paper, plastic and cardboard waste for onward recycling which at present goes to landfill;

    f) Development and promotion of Govt Recycling Policy to ensure that all high waste producers of glass and cans use the recycling services available today. (This to include schools, hospitals, clubs, bars and restaurants);

     

    BUNKERING

     

    a) Freeze and controls imposed on Bunkering activities to include vapour recovery;

    b) Disallow East Side Bunkering as this will increase air pollution problems as well as significantly raise the risks of a serious oil spill with devastating implications for humans, marine and bird life and our economy;

    c) Full disclosure of income evaluation of bunkering and port activity to the public purse, taking into account the degrading impacts this has on quality of life and marine environment, as well as to our tourist product which is sustainable and critically important to our economy;

    d) Elimination of floating petrol stations;

    e) In setting up land based fuel storage alternative, this to be done to the highest standards and using BATS, including full public consultation during planning and construction process. Commercial sensitivities should not be used to withhold information on new, polluting activity;

    SEWAGE TREATMENT

    a)Sewage treatment plant to be installed without further delays to eliminate raw sewage disposal to the sea (and if it can be done anaeorobically/ eliminating smells and producing methane as a by product for energy production, all the better);

     

     

    CONSERVATION

    a) Expansion of Nature Reserve to include East side sand slopes down to the sea joining it up with marine protected area. (To protect the last bit of natural coastline remaining in Gibraltar);

    b) Major expansion of urban tree numbers and major creation/expansion and up keep of urban green areas;

    c) Due consideration of key areas and recommendations as factored in the Upper Rock Management Plan produced by the GONHS

    d) Upper Rock Authority announced some time back needs re-launching and should include active participation from relevant stakeholders, public discussion and participation in the decision making process;

    PLANNING

     

    a) Complete overhaul of Planning Procedure in Gibraltar;

    b) DPC to have a neutral chair, to be open and transparent with public consultation on all major projects;

    c) EIA’s to include consideration of the existing environment on new development projects as well as impacts from new projects on the environment;

    d) All major projects, including Govt, to undergo EIA’s given the limitations of land space in Gibraltar and need for best assessment ahead of breaking ground;

    e) Adherence to Best Practice in planning to be applied to all Planning Procedures in Gibraltar;

    f) Recommendations made under the Strategic Environmental Plan released alongside Gibraltar’s’ Development Plan to be given open and serious consideration: Most importantly Gibraltar must consider setting limits on levels of development, traffic and pollution to safeguard quality of life;

    g) Gib Dev Plan “green measures” and check-list to be actively applied and reviewed;

    h) Green Building Legislation to be vigorously adhered to as well as developed to retrospectively tackle recent and major new development for improvements in environmental performance;

     

     

    EAMP (Environmental and Action Management Plan)-

     

    a) Urgent Govt wide implementation of its Environmental and Action Management Plan (EAMP –which nevertheless needs improving/expanding to address dockyard and bunkering as well as other impacting  activities on the Rock omitted from the Plan[2]);

    b) EAMP to permeate all Ministries and Departments, Agencies and others to ensure that all decisions reflect genuine environmental considerations as well as economic and technical factors;

    c) EAMP public presentation overdue and anticipated;

     

     

     

     

     

    CROSS BORDER ISSUES

     

    a)      The cross border nature of the Bay’s environment means that achieving progress in environmental issues is often hampered by political issues, even though the solutions require cross border co-operation. Such pressures are once again evident in the impasse facing the Tripartite Process; a dialogue, that for a while, appeared to provide a workable model for co-operation at many levels including the environment.

    b)       A detailed appraisal on key environmental issues was produced by the three Govts involved (Spain, Gibraltar and United Kingdom), pledging to get to grips with cross border issues. A practical and technical approach was being designed at a cross border level that could provide technical and practical support and response to real problems and issues affecting people and the environment.

    c)      A group of 5 NGO’s from Gibraltar and Spain[3] have submitted three dossiers to the Tripartite Forum outlining critical regional environmental issues with potential solutions.   

    Issues include:-

    ● pollution ● health ● land reclamation ● urbanisation ● loss of green spaces & biosphere,

    ● sewage treatment ● industrial expansion ● maritime activity

    d)      Environmental NGO’s have also lobbied and secured their participation within the technical assessments under the Tripartite Process. This, however, has not yet taken place due to the indefinite stalling of the Tripartite Talks themselves. We hope the Government of Gibraltar will continue to seek co-operation at cross border level for environmental and health issues which are urgent in nature with a resumption of the working groups meeting under the Tripartite Forum.

    EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDIES:

    a)      One of the key and urgent areas to be considered is the true state of public health of Bay communities given their long term and chronic exposure to toxic emissions from poorly regulated heavy industry and the Oil Refinery based in the Spanish town of San Roque. Gibraltar’s first independently commissioned epidemiological study for the Gib population is an important first step but one that needs to be followed by further study to fully understand the state of our health, and the “potential” and “actual” impacts from environmental factors which most affect us including from local sources. Cross border studies are also necessary to gauge how the Bay environment impacts on the health of all Bay communities. The focus should then quickly move to bring all identified causes of ill- health and higher mortality in the area in line with best practice and best available technology within Europe with the aim of improving health prospects and quality of life.

    b)      The ESG and our public health advisers consider more research is required as well as an expansion of the existing air monitoring programme in Gibraltar (also advised by the report issued on the 1st Epid Study in January 2011).

    =============================================================================

    ESG Election Wish List

     

    It is hoped this wish list will be considered by all parties standing for 2011 elections. The ESG strongly believes that implementation of these measures would bring enormous benefits to our community and quality of life; offer greater sustainability and improve Gibraltar’s environmental performance.

    ESG Committee:    Contact J Howitt 54960000   H Pinna 200-78067   T Scott 58009259

     

    Please visit ESG website which carries a rich record of 8 years worth of media releases, reports, photographs, videos, interviews and more:    

    Website: www.esg-gib.net  Email: esg@gibtelecom.net  Tel: 200-48996    


    [1] Locally via various campaigns, lobbying, negotiation, information/ Regionally via cross border coalitions/at a European level via MEPs’ and the European Commission/Globally via the Bucket Brigade and scientific sampling

    [2] See ESG Website : http://www.esg-gib.net/esg-on-govt-action-plan-3-2-11/

    [3] ESG, GONHS, Greenpeace, AGADEN and Verdemar



    ESG Election 2011 Wish List


    ESG Press Release 18th May 2011

     

     The ESG has published an environmental wish list at every election that has taken place since the group was formed. For the upcoming election we have decided to once again put forward our key areas and recommended solutions on a 2011 Wish List in the hope that all parties standing for election will give this due consideration.

    Headings which form part of our list include:  Climate Change, Energy, Pollution, Traffic, Recycling, Bunkering, Sewage Treatment, Conservation, Planning, EAMP, Cross Border issues and Epidemiological Studies.

    The ESG has sent a copy of the wish list to all political parties and to the local media.

    Should any party wish to meet with us to discuss these issues further we shall be only too pleased to accept.

    ESG Committee May 2011



    ESG on Bank Holiday Fumes


    AIR POLLUTION CONCERNS AFFECT BANK HOLIDAY FOR RESIDENTS

    6th May 2011

    The ESG would like to advise that it received various calls in the run up and during the last holiday weekend from residents in the Western and north Western part of Gibraltar. With a caller praying for a Levanter that could help eliminate the noxious smells present in the newly constructed Waterport Terraces area, the ESG began to plan for possible air sampling- however, unfortunately, we had received the report once the worst of the smells had passed and so no samples were taken at the time.

    A few days before receiving that call, a Harbour Views resident wrote in absolutely fed up with the resumption of air pollution in the area believed to be caused by bunkering activity as the smells were of a rotten egg quality.

    This highlights two important issues which are of deep concern to the ESG, as well as to many others on the Rock.

    • Air pollution seriously affects one’s quality of life, and quite likely impacts on our health. We would like to provide a new number and contact to be called by the public when affected by pollution from what is suspected to be a port related activity – We urge people to call at the time the pollution is at its worst to ensure accurate detection and follow up.

    New Bunkering Superintendent Mr John Ghio/ New Contact Number 56001652

    The ESG also asks the public to copy the report to us either verbally by telephone on 200-48996 or via email on: esg@gibtelecom.net

    • This resurgence in air pollution from bunkering activity, quite common in warmer temperatures, also raises the likely prospect that rather than facing a future of less pollution in Gibraltar, with Govt pledged support for East Side Bunkering, the chances are that fumes will soon be present in our ambient air regardless of wind direction- ie we shall be getting it from both sides. This is the main reason, along with others, why the ESG is totally opposed to the planned bunkering expansion currently undergoing an EIA

     

    The group calls on the public to please report pollution issues as they are taking place to the relevant numbers provided to illustrate to Government the frequency and range of the existing problems which should be addressed and controlled and not increased.

    ——————————————————————————-



    Click here for links to GONHS press releases


    GONHS on Initial reaction to EAMP (Environmental Action & Management Plan)

    and on Eastside Bunkering

     


    ESG Radio Newsletter Thursday 3rd March


     

    Hi, today is a full on environmental action and promotion day! We start the day off by meeting a journalist from El Pais, one of Spain’s leading national newspapers, to discuss environmental issues affecting the Bay. We shall, as always, strive to present an accurate and balanced picture of regional problems on both sides of the border. If the article is published we shall inform the community – it’s a chance to promote clear and accurate information of the bays real environmental issues out in the Spanish mainland and we won’t miss this opportunity. 

    After this we shall be holding an information stall outside the Cathedral in support of the “No! To Sewage at sea!” Campaign, regarding ongoing contamination and closure of Western Beach. We shall be issuing information that today, our MEP Graham Watson will be taking action on our behalf in Brussels presenting both the close to three thousand signature petition to the European Petitions Committee and the Official Complaint prepared by the ESG to the Directorate DG at the Commission itself. Both submissions are demanding urgent action and a resolution to this problem. We thank Mr Watson for his efforts and wish him luck in getting a meaningful outcome in Brussels; we certainly know that won’t be easy! Incidentally, the petition continues and if you haven’t yet signed you have another chance today so please come along, between 1pm and 2.30pm outside the Cathedral of St Mary the Crowned where we shall be very pleased to see you.

    Moving on, and this evening sees a Viewpoint Programme discussing the environmental impact and viability of the new Gibraltar airport. Should be an interesting debate with the panel discussing Airline, Tourism, Business and Environmental issues. Do watch the programme, or better still, why not phone in with your point of view- after all these programmes are designed to inform and involve the public.

    We would like to end this broadcast with a reference to the news in the Spanish press about a week ago that the Gibraltar govt had already decided Eastside Bunkering was to go ahead. Whether the Spanish press are accurately reporting on the story or not, this theory is more than substantiated in the little circulated new Port Handbook which carries various references to expanding business, and business opportunity in the east side. Another detailed reference to this expansion can be found in a highly detailed profile article on Gibraltar in the UK’s Guardian in January of this year, which shone a spotlight on the many economic pillars on the rock and bunkering was deemed a major and growing earner.  With the EIA not even completed on the proposed east side bunkering, and government and industry appearing to be moving full speed ahead in touting for extra business, it will be difficult to put the brakes on this business, but we surely intend to try.

    As for the reasons why? Well, you can read about this in some detail in an in depth interview we gave Panorama which will be published tomorrow –Friday.

    As usual, please visit our website for more news on these stories and other issues concerning the environment: on esg-gib.net

    I frequently meet people who have caught the odd ESG broadcast here and there and who would like to catch up on all the news stories we promote- if you are one such person and are catching us by chance today, by visiting our website you can download a members form and once registered,  will receive copies of all broadcasts and press statements  as they are released ensuring that you are kept as up to date as possible on all the local environmental issues the ESG considers are of utmost importance to the community. Don’t forget, check it out today, on esg-gib.net.   All for now, and thanks for listening-



    ESG on Govt Action Plan 3.2.11


    ESG on the publication of EAMP (Environmental Action and Management Plan 2011) 3.2.2011

    “The ESG is very pleased that Government has finally released its Action Plan on managing Gibraltar’s Environment. We have campaigned for such a development for close to a decade and its arrival is overdue and welcome. Because of our genuine interest and concern over environmental issues however, we need to highlight what we believe to be the positive aspects of the Plan and also its shortcomings. We shall briefly outline these here but shall be seeking meetings with Government to discuss these further.

    Background:

    In 2005, the ESG, and others, were approached by Government in a consultation exercise aimed at getting feedback on environmental issues of concern towards the drafting of the Environmental Charter. The ESG put together a detailed document, attached here[i], which clearly lays out our concerns (in 2005) and highlights areas needing action.

    Looking at the Action Plan with those concerns in mind, we do not think it addresses all core issues with enough urgency, intent, or transparency. While acknowledging the high quality of the document in terms of layout and detail, it fails to address many of the more significant environmental issues affecting Gibraltar’s community and environment. It also fails to transmit a clear message from Government that it plans any real change in the foreseeable future.  

    For example:

    • The serious environmental impacts from our power stations, desalination plants, dockyard, bunkering activities and more  – are only referred to in passing in the Plan and it does not propose that these should be subject to any particular action or mitigation; this refers to noise and air pollution;
    • Renewable Energy research or implementation is only referred to as long-term issues, measured in terms of 3-5 years! 
    • The Plan does not adequately demonstrate application of the Precautionary Principle or Best Available Technology to all activity in Gibraltar so as to limit environmental impact on community and environment;
    • The Plan fails to demonstrate political will in changing the status quo- as it stands there is little prospect of the plan being incorporated into the day-to-day governance of Gibraltar as it is not accompanied by a “statement of intent” by heads of Government undertaking to implement the Plan and acknowledge the need for urgent action on environmental issues at a cross-ministerial level;
    • The timeframes set out are not only non-enforceable by an independent agent, but in the case of the 3/5yr slots not even expected to be met by the next elected Government within their next term of office! This is hardly evidence of a strong commitment to achieving the aims within a short timescale; With all time-frames, especially the longer ones (3/5yrs) it would be preferable to have identified multiple target waypoints in each project so that the community can corroborate that each schedule is on-track;

    All that said, the great effort that has gone into producing such a mature document is commended. We shall campaign for this valuable tool to be expanded to include key areas outlined above and for the Plan itself to be implemented energetically to improve our quality of life as well as Gibraltar’s environmental performance.

    See attached document which is ESG submission on Charter Consultation Process 2005


    [i] ESG Environmental Charter Submission 2005 posted on www.esg-gib.net



    ESG Radio Newsletter 20th January 2011


    Last time we focused on a review of 2010 and highlights of an environmental importance. In case you missed this you can get a copy by emailing us on esg@gibtelecom.net or visiting our website: esg-gib.net where it is posted under latest news.

    Looking ahead to 2011 we shall continue to work for a healthier environment for our local and bay communities. There is much hard work ahead. Raising our families in this region is a mixed blessing. We live in an amazing natural environment bursting with fantastic attributes and potential, and yet, we still have a long way to go before we co-exist in this special area in a sustainable
    and respectful manner. The exploitation of our geographic location and the opportunities this gives businesses to continue to expand in the line of fossil fuel industry is an issue that does not sit well with environmentalists, or frankly, anyone who wants a healthy and safe environment for their families to live in – especially when best available technologies are not practised.

    Since our last newsletter our group spoke out in the media against the very real possibility of new bunkering activity on the eastern flank of Gibraltar. As we said in our interview: increased safety by way of a modern vessel tracking system should not equal increased bunkering. The ESG will continue to monitor this situation with plans to step up its campaign as necessary.

    Also these past few days we learnt that CEPSA, the major Oil Refinery in the Bay, saw a doubling of product output in 2010 as compared to 2009, and all this with a non-compliant operating licence!! We shall be focusing on this important issue which is also affecting our health and quality of life during the first qtr of this year.

    Talking about health, it was quite a milestone we reached on Monday, when Gibraltar finally saw the first report from the Epidemiological Study carried out by the Danish team looking at specific cancer concerns. Naturally we welcome this importantstep and have since been going through the report with great interest. The ESG is issuing a press release today and has also consulted our international public health advisers. A second press release will be sent to the media and posted on our websiteonce we receive their feedback. Our press releases will be posted on our website and copies of this can also be made available on request- call 200-48996 or 54960000 or again, look at our website.

    On Western Beach and “No to sewage at sea”, campaigners are renewing efforts to collect signatures over the next few weeks. Please note that the online petition is still open. A protest is now planned for Thursday 10th February at 6pm at Western Beach and efforts are currently being made to widen support for this. Please tell your friends and families to come and support this
    important action. Meanwhile we hope that political efforts between our own Govt and the Spanish authorities manage to get things moving and note that steps are also being taken to lodge a formal complaint at the European Commission. Frankly the beach needs to be up and open come the summer which will be upon us before we know it! Please call Karen on 56800000 if you need any help
    with either the petition or protest details.

    On a positive note the ESG is very glad to learn that Gibraltar’s Action Plan on the Environmental Charter will be published by the end of this month. It can’t come soon enough as we shall then learn how Govt intends to tackle the many difficult challenges of increasing environmental safety and quality of life for the community while addressing serious and heavily impacting activities. More on that soon!!
    During 2011 we shall also continue to lobby the Tripartite Forum together with the GONHS and three Spanish NGO’s, Verdemar, AGADEN and Greenpeace – to improve cross border, regional environmental issues. We are currently meeting and planning our strategy for progressing on this important agenda- watch out for some exciting news on this front soon!

    Finally, under CUTW banner a positive step is seen in the recent advertisement for jobs for highway officers among whose many responsibilities will be monitoring vandalism and littering! This is welcome news. Let’s hope 2011 brings more positive than negative developments for our environment – we shall be keeping you posted as best we can! Thanks for listening!



    ESG on the VTS (Vessel Tracking System)


    13th January 2011

    The ESG welcomes the news of the VTS system finally being introduced in the Port of Gibraltar. The group also expects that the new safety cushion created by the system on the present level of shipping should not once again be eroded by increasing the amount of shipping. This is akin to the refinery reducing air emissions per ton of oil processed but then increasing its capacity to negate this and even add more pollution.

    If traffic is increased so that there is a greater concentration of shipping around Gibraltar this will further reduce the distance between ships and/or the reaction time available to the Port to react to a crisis situation which will make serious shipping incidents very likely.

    The ESG adds that we might have an immaculate record of what happened and how it happened but the incident will not have been avoided.

    The group takes this opportunity of urging the Gibraltar Government to rethink current plans to expand bunkering activity to the eastern side of the Rock



    ESG 2010 News Review


    Today’s newsletter is rather special. We have selected environmental highlights during 2010 which we hope gives an idea of what we have been up to these past 12 months.

    • January saw us setting up a new office in town to hold our files and have a central point in which to work and have regular meetings. The office has served us well so far and was set up with the help of ESG volunteers who worked very hard to get everything in place and in good order. Our heartfelt thanks are expressed here.

    • We also launched a brand new website funded and built with the support of the Bonita Trust. We continue to maintain and update the site in the knowledge of its growing local and global use. If you haven’t yet visited our site, please do so on www.esg-gib.net.

    • We worked hard in the first quarter to renew our Constitution to allow wider funding opportunities to help us take the big step of running our own office. Our AGM held at the time was well attended and saw various changes and proposals passed.

    • Talks were given to schools and associations.

    • The first of four separate Clean Ups took place in collaboration with the Port, St John’s Cadets and ESG members, tackling a seafront location badly affected by storm debris.

    • March saw the first Spanish TV Crew from Canal Sur, Seville visit Gibraltar to film the ESG and our bucket brigade sampling work. This was for a series called Tierra y Mar. Although the programme was initially censored by CEPSA it was eventually screened, albeit in the middle of the night! and only after the refinery was given extra air time!

    • Another film crew, this time from Barcelona, also visited the Bay concerned about the European Parliaments’ statement of the need for proper health studies to be done at a cross border level in Gibraltar and Spain to establish health impacts from industrial pollution. The programme was for a nationwide TV channel whose producer was also shocked to witness firsthand both the gagging of the local Spanish press – on matters of health and the environment – and experience firsthand CEPSA’s ability to control media when their own programme was prevented from being screened at the eleventh hour until such time as CEPSA was given, yes, extra air time. – Apparently, like its Seville predecessor the programme was incomplete and needed a further interview from the Oil Giant. This didn’t surprise us in Gibraltar, or our Spanish NGO colleagues in the least! We were all delighted with the end product though which was eventually shown late at night. Called “Algo Huele Mal” , its a hard hitting documentary showing the severe impact the refinery is having on frontline residents. Our task was to highlight how Gibraltar is also affected by this massive industry.

    • During April we coordinated another seafront clean up, this time, Rosia Bay which was in a dreadful state from storm debris. Gibraltar Community Projects offered assistance.

    • The ESG hosted the Cop to Cap which involved a renewable energy campaigner, travelling across two continents in an eye catching electric car supported by an impressive environmental exhibition. Their aim was to visit as many countries as possible on their journey to South Africa promoting the benefits of green energy and practices towards sustainable living.

    • The ESG celebrated Earth Day with a street stall and then prepared for our second ever meeting with CEPSA management. We used the meeting to challenge their operational stds as exposed by an audit carried out on the plant after public pressure succeeded in moving La Junta to act. However, this audit had been kept secret until our legal advisers, Hassan’s, obtained a copy under Freedom of Access to Env Information Directive- we had the documents translated and posted on our website. The audit was also sent to Brussels and given to other NGO’s.

    • We later met Neil Parish’s replacement, MEP Ashley Fox and briefed him soundly on this serious issue. He pledged to continue Neil’s work in Brussels in support of our refinery campaign.

    • Yet another TV Crew journeyed south to Gibraltar in June, this time from France curious to cover the shipping issues in the bay- while we participated in the film we made sure they included the environmental impact from the oil refinery. You can also see this programme on the internet under REPORT 24.

    • Another health study emerges from a Spanish University this time linking industrial emissions with heightened illness and mortality- we translated and published this report on our website. You can download this study under “Resources” in either English or Spanish.

    • The summer saw preparations begin for Septembers annual Clean Up, this being our 6th participation, which requires much networking and liaison with schools, businesses and associations.

    • We also organised a trip to Los Barrios Waste Separation Plant- it’s incredible to see how much mixed waste is rec’d by this plant from all Bay towns including Gibraltar. It takes so much time and energy to separate what is good for recycling – organic waste has to settle and decompose and soiled paper and card ends up in landfill. We need to step up and progress recycling programmes in Gibraltar and other Bay towns.

    • CUTW 2010 involved meetings and talks through the summer for planning purposes. September’s effort saw a total of close to thirty teams taking part (around 500 volunteers) and schools and youth clubs supporting the parade and exhibition. Thanks must go to our sponsors who each year help make the Clean up a very effective educational and awareness raising campaign. This year Govt has responded by taking on the cleaning of most of our sites and we hope this can be developed to include further actions to prevent littering from happening in the first place.

    • The ESG was invited to respond to Govts plans regarding the status of the Upper Rock. We presented a comprehensive response and included recommendations that Govt make full use of the management plan produced by the GONHS several years ago.

    • Scientists visiting the Rock in October to carry out an EIA on eastside bunkering led to various groups including the ESG being consulted for our views and concerns. We sincerely hope that the communities concerns will persuade Govt not to allow this expansion to go ahead.

    • We also addressed hundreds of students during this time on local and regional environmental issues and delivered our first presentation to a group of interested businesses and potential funders in the Rock Hotel which went well.

    • October also saw the “No! to Sewage Campaign” take off after publicly and privately expressing our concerns about the problem at Western Beach since April. This is sadly an ongoing problem and a number of protests have been held with our support as well as a paper and online petition calling for action to be taken. Further actions are planned for the next few weeks and we hope the Gibraltar community will support this effort.

    • November saw another clean up supported by the ESG- this time the Dolphin Youth Club members in an Upper Rock site. Master Services assisted in the removal of the rubbish collected.

    • The ESG continues to receive and log complaints from the public over intolerable smells and fumes whether from land or sea based sources. We help those affected as best we can and continue to lobby Govt and industry to improve standards and reduce pollution.

    • The end of 2010 saw two Viewpoint Discussion Programmes on GBC on the environment. After an absence of such programmes through the year these two drew quite a bit of comment from the community- calling for more of these programmes to be held to allow for greater public participation on issues which rightly, affect us all.

    Of course 2010 would not be complete if we didn’t mention dolphinariums, transport plans, power stations, action plans, Tripartite and the environment, Epid Studies and ultimately Climate Change. These will form part of our next radio newsletter in a fortnight’s time which we hope you will catch. You can also read past radio bulletins on our website which is www.esg-gib.net.

    Here’s hoping for a cleaner and healthier environment for all for 2011 and beyond!!



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