Section on Pollution from ESG ‘List
of Objectives 2019’ available in full
at www.esg-gib.net
POLLUTION
Pollution is a very important area for us and one we
work on pretty much all the time. We file reports on
pollution incidences and help members of the public
who share their concerns with us. Until the unneces-
sary excess of pollution disappears we shall conti-
nue to fight and press for lasting solutions by way of
investment in clean technologies, upgrading of out-
dated industrial practices and enforcing the polluter
paying principle.
Links to climate change and pollution as well as
impacts on health are well established and should
accelerate this agenda. Specifically, the ESG consi-
ders the following issues are of main concern:
Real-time Stations & Mobile Air Monitors
Pods have now been placed throughout Gibraltar
at a number of hotspots. Data can be found at www.
gibraltarairquality.gi
We welcome the positive steps taken to capture
air sampling in areas around Gibraltar. The pods pro-
vide ‘indicative levels’ of pollution. These indicator
levels will be very useful to the authorities in imple-
menting change as are used elsewhere, as well as of
keen interest to NGOs like us and the public at large.
Air quality is to be taken seriously and it is a good
step to have monitors placed.
We remain convinced of the need for a real-time
station to be placed in the NW district so that this
data can also be inserted into our air quality reports.
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ESG is studying the trends of the pollution levels
captured by the pods. We regret that volatile orga-
nic compounds which are produced when refueling,
spray painting, etc. are not currently measured by
pods at key sites. We are campaigning for these to
be added without delay. Sites for the pods include
harbour views and the dockyard.
Current Power Stations and Skip generators
The complete dismantlement and removal of our
old power stations once the LNG Gas/Diesel Station
is fully commissioned will bring about a new era
in power generation, one that will nevertheless be
an interim step to Gibraltar moving towards ever
growing reliance on renewable energy. The ESG
continues to monitor the situation to speed up this
process. This will finally remove chronic sources of
air and noise pollution from our power stations and
skip generators.
GibDock
The ESG has publicly called upon this industry and
the authorities to address the environmental impacts
from the dockyard activity. We have seen years of
heavy pollution from this industry where nearby re-
sidents are bearing the brunt and potential health
consequences
Time has come for this industry to either be closed
or see necessary investment in mitigation measures
to eliminate environmental impacts beyond the fen-
ce line.
OTWO 10 / MAY 2020
Onshore Power Supply
We have long called for the installation of onsho-
re power connection and conversion, also known as
cold ironing, to be mandatory for vessels using our
harbour. Indeed, a Green Port Status is increasingly
calling for this facility to be part of its compliance.
Works have started at the Extension Jetty site faci-
lity. Sites like the dockyard, south mole, rooke area,
detached and north moles, should all have this option
available. Land based power supply would remove
pollution from marine fuel engine emissions from the
quayside. In Gibraltar this would mean improving air
quality and noise levels for nearby residents.
Ships at anchor
Fuming offshore tankers are a fairly common sight
to us here in Gibraltar. Indeed, the number of ships
offshore creates smog and worsens our air quality
to challenge even emissions produced by land tra-
ffic. Internationally there is a legislation in place to
clean up emissions from vessels once they enter the
harbour area. Government’s commitment to introdu-
ce emission controls on particulates from vessels
is very much welcomed and we look forward to its
implementation. Other current measures in place to
convert to cleaner fuels for vessels entering Gibral-
tar’s port with sulphur limits work quite well at pre-
sent for a high percentage of vessels. Enforcement
against polluting vessels needs to be tightened up
with a quicker response time and less reliance on
public to feed in reports.
Cruise Ships and Super Yachts
It is quite common to see large cruise ships
that visit Gibraltar smoking heavily at berth, at the
North Mole, often for long periods of time. This
pollution needs to be quantified, as there are se-
veral residential estates and play areas downwind
of these vessels. We understand that some cruise
ships draw too much power for these to use ons-
hore provision. There is much variety in the crui-
se liners that come to Gibraltar, in terms of size,
energy draw, efficiency and length of stay. Their
environmental impacts should be fully understood.
Super Yachts can also be quite polluting and the
ESG would like to know what rules and standards
apply locally to limit pollution from these very lar-
ge and fuel hungry vessels to manage their impact
while at berth.
OTWO 10 / MAY 2020
Vapor recovery technology
This should be applied on all shipping fueling activi-
ties to eliminate fugitive fumes that periodically sweep
through neighborhoods. Additionally, all land-based
activity dealing in any type of fueling should always
incorporate vapor recovery as best practice.
Road idling
Rules need to be enforced for unnecessary idling
by all road vehicles. Despite efforts by the Depart-
ment of Environment and Transport, to educate and
remind the public about the health impacts from id-
ling, this still continues in Gibraltar. Increasing num-
ber of signs of awareness is required and penalties
for repeat offenders imposed as examples and de-
terrent. Idle free zones with stricter rules should be
imposed outside schools, narrow and busy streets,
and the border. Tourist vehicles, such as taxi’s and
buses, must also be reminded of their environmen-
tal responsibilities. Idling from second hand buses
in our town is a public health issue and needs to be
eliminated as quickly as possible. Idling from coa-
ches in the Mid Town parking facility has also been
reported to the ESG as an important issue that must
be addressed.
Airport noise and air pollution impact
As airport activity grows so must monitoring of the
impact on air quality and noise levels. Refueling of pla-
nes takes place very frequently and in close proximity
to airport and passengers. Tighter regulations must be
looked into as such activity can impact on health.
Border issues
The chaos at the border continues with heavy
volumes of traffic. Non-EU compliant second hand
buses are being used which operate this route. It is
hoped that once the runway tunnel is complete, a
new plan to mobilise pedestrians will be enforced.
The absence of such a plan will potentially lead to an
increase in motorised traffic coming into Gibraltar, as
people will not be willing to walk the much longer
new route via the new tunnel. This is a major issue
and needs addressing urgently. The park and ride
facility, initially conceived for the use of the large
car park at Devil’s Tower Road, should be exclusively
reverted for the purpose intended.
Go to ESG Wish List 2019-2020 for full version
and more details – next section looks at Transport
and Traffic Issues on the Rock
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