Euskadi sets an example in terms of coastal adaptation to climate change within the Regions4Climate project
22/11/2024
The European project publishes an article on “transformative projects” such as LIFE IP Urban Klima 2050 and the restoration of the San Lorenzo lagoon in Plaiaundi.
The Basque Country has been recognised as a leader in climate change adaptation within the framework of the European Regions4Climate project, as detailed in an article entitled ‘Euskadi and Climate Adaptation: A Comprehensive Response to Protect its Coast’, which sets out the actions carried out in the territory to protect its coastline from the effects of climate change.
As the article explains, 75% of its population lives in coastal areas, meaning that the Basque Country faces challenges such as rising sea levels and more intense waves. To tackle them, the Basque Government has launched the Basque Climate Adaptation Mission, which is aligned with the EU's Climate Adaptation Mission and looking to develop effective climate solutions that can be replicated in other territories.
In this context, Ihobe, the Basque Government’s Public Environmental Management Company, is playing a key role in leading initiatives such as the LIFE IP Urban Klima 2050 project and working closely with the Regions4Climate project. According to Mari Mar Alonso, Director of Climate Action at Ihobe, “our participation in these projects allows us to identify, design and apply financing tools for climate adaptation. We have focused our efforts on meeting the specific needs of the Basque territory while promoting nature-based adaptation measures.
One of the most notable examples of this line of work is the restoration of the San Lorenzo lagoon in Plaiaundi, an intervention within the Regions4Climate project that is targeted at multiple objectives: improving biodiversity, mitigating flooding and capturing blue carbon. As Mari Mar Alonso explained, this type of initiative makes it possible to develop adaptable models that can be applied in other regions with similar problems.
The project also focuses on citizen participation. As Alonso went on to say: “It is essential to get affected citizens directly involved from the start of decision-making processes, so that they become an active part of building a resilient future”.
In this respect, Eva Montoya, the coordinator of Ekoetxea Txingudi, underlined the importance of raising public awareness in projects such as the San Lorenzo lagoon. An environmental education programme is being developed at this environmental centre in Plaiaundi in the Bidasoa region, which is aimed at making the public more aware of climate adaptation. Montoya remarked that “Actions like these allow us to understand the actions required to mitigate climate change from a different perspective”.
