Greenpeace urges decisive action to fund fire prevention and climate protection
Greenpeace has urged administrations to implement measures that prevent devastating fires, allocate more financial resources, support awareness campaigns, and advance policies addressing climate change. The NGO stresses that immediate investment is needed to shield communities and ecosystems from escalating fire risks while accelerating transitions to a sustainable economy.
According to Greenpeace, the majority of burned areas come from large forest fires. This highlights the need to invest in the primary sector and comprehensive forest management, especially in mountainous regions, where risks are highest. The message is clear: funding must rise now to protect both livelihoods and landscapes as climate pressures intensify.
The organization argues that prioritizing economic resources for rural towns will promote productive activities and help restore shattered landscapes. Strengthening rural economies is seen as a practical step to curb the spread of large fires and reduce vulnerability across communities that rely on forested areas for livelihoods.
Greenpeace also calls for the full implementation of preventive plans and resources for municipalities. It notes under the Forest Law that contingency plans in high risk zones are not always fulfilled, and urges authorities to supply the necessary resources and require adherence to the rules. The emphasis is on practical readiness that can actually prevent or mitigate major fire events.
Other asks include sharing clear plans with citizens and encouraging self protection strategies. Greenpeace advocates building organized, adaptive communities that reduce fire risk and investing in urban management that considers forest fire exposure, given that some urbanizations, homes, and critical infrastructure lie within high risk areas.
Extinguishing the fire in Roelos de Sayago, Zamora, has become a visible reminder of the work ahead. The image is a symbol of the ongoing effort to protect local communities and landscapes in the face of rising fire threats.
Regarding operational services, Greenpeace notes that firefighting capacity is not infinite and that high‑intensity fires bring additional hazards. The group argues for year round, suitable working conditions for fire brigades and robust support for emergency responders to ensure effective responses whenever fires occur.
National security implications
Mónica Parrilla, a campaign manager for Greenpeace Biodiversity Area, describes the dramatic fires of the recent season as an environmental crisis that has become a national security issue. Different fire scenarios require varied solutions and sustained prevention investments to avert dramatic events like those seen in other regions. Forests must be actively managed in the face of the climate crisis; otherwise, wildfires will dominate the landscape.
Greenpeace links the current climate emergency to the evolution of fires into faster, more dangerous outbreaks. Rising temperatures, more frequent heat waves, and worsening droughts contribute to drier conditions that feed fires, making prevention and forest management more urgent than ever. The organization also notes that the forested area in certain regions has diminished, with millions of hectares transitioning away from protective forest cover and becoming vulnerable mass soil and debris that can fuel fires.
At this moment, Greenpeace sees the rural environment as a critical arena for climate action and biodiversity protection. The group emphasizes the need for policies that shield rural populations while directing investments toward structuring resilient regional landscapes that can endure climate stress in the short, medium, and long term.
To build resilient communities, Greenpeace highlights five types of capital—social, physical, human, natural, and financial—and stresses that investments must strengthen these resources. The aim is to empower communities to adapt to climate emergencies, sustain livelihoods, and maintain social cohesion even when extreme conditions arise.
Overall, the organization argues that embracing prudent resource allocation, proactive forest management, and community-driven resilience is essential to safeguard people, homes, and ecosystems against escalating fire risk and a changing climate.
As the climate crisis accelerates, Greenpeace calls for clear, actionable plans that connect policy, funding, and community engagement. The goal is not only to prevent fires but to foster sustainable rural development, maintain biodiversity, and protect vulnerable landscapes for generations to come.