Early warnings for extreme events, plans against “bad” ozone, tackling marine litter, emissions taxes, turning Tabarca into the first sustainable island in the Mediterranean and even a network of climate shelters for catastrophic weather. Suggestions against the environmental crisis multiplied for this election appointment. With the exception of the far-right, all parties generally address energy transition, waste management, fire prevention and the 2030 Agenda. four years ago, he stressed the need to link the protection of the natural environment with policies to mitigate and adapt to global warming.
It was September 2019 when Generalitat committed itself to a strong environmental commitment. The forced transformation of the energy and production model took the stage and with great force. From the commitment to accelerate the path to more sustainable goals came the Climate Change and Ecological Transition Act, the Waste Prevention and Circular Economy Act, or the still slow deployment of renewable energies, which were passed last year. In contrast, the Delegate Commission of the Council for Ecological Transition and Environmental Sustainability was losing power, with several departments sitting at the same table to facilitate the development of all climate initiatives. Now, the coalition partners at the head of the Generalitat are advocating that some of the measures approved at almost the final stage of this legislature be developed in Botànic III in the future. Recovering abandoned crops or extensive livestock farming as a precaution against megafires caused by rural migration, and increasing vegetable fuel in the mountains are recurring themes. They appear on PSPV programs as well as Compromís and Unides Podem.
Socialists suggest they will develop sectoral strategies to adapt activities such as tourism or agriculture to climate change. Compromís continues the creation of a Citizens’ Assembly for Climate, where measures to be implemented in response to the climate emergency are decided. Meanwhile, Unides Podem includes the need to redesign urban spaces with sustainable drainage that will make it possible to face increasingly recurrent extreme storms.
with the 2030 Agenda
Even centre-right forces make a lot of cross-promises that, until not so long ago, were exclusive to green formations or environmental groups. In line with the European Union’s neutralization of greenhouse gases, the People’s Party embodies the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals. Of course, it makes it clear that it will fight “any environmental law of the Spanish Government that harms the interests of our lands”.
Both the government and the opposition agree on meeting water commitments for greater conservation and protection of l’Albufera. Also in taking comprehensive measures to stop coastal erosion. While the ideas in waste management are very similar, it is Unides Podem that talks about reformulating agreements with Ecoembes and Ecovidrio. As for the circular economy, even PP emphasizes that this is not a passing fad. “He’s come to stay and build a better world”, popular ones influence their programs.