The Valencian region has a rich diversity of protected natural areas, such as wetlands, coastal mountain ranges, archipelagos and river mouths, which play a crucial role in biodiversity conservation. These areas are critical ecosystems facing significant pressures from climate change, urban expansion and ineffective management due to institutional fragmentation and lack of coordination between different levels of government and other actors involved in their management.
Lead Oscar Barberà Aresté:
“Policy making in Spain is very reactive:
there is a problem, let’s find a solution”
Problem statement
The central challenge in the management of wetlands and other coastal natural areas in the Valencian Community lies in the creation of integrated governance schemes that facilitate coordination between key actors, such as public administrations, local entities, non-governmental organizations, economic sectors and civil society.
The wetlands studied will be: Prat de Cabanes-Torreblanca, l’Albufera, the Marjal de Pego-Oliva, the Hondo, Salinas de Santa Pola and Lagunas de la Mata and Torrevieja.
Impact
The long-term impact of the BGG project is to promote governance reforms across Europe towards new schemes that connect land and sea uses, considering societal preferences and scientific predictions on major global environmental challenges.
In the case of the Valencian Community, the aim is to contribute to the creation of a more sustainable and inclusive wetland governance model in the Valencian Community.
In the long term, the project is expected to influence the formulation of public policies that improve the resilience of wetlands to climate and environmental challenges, fostering inter-institutional collaboration and the use of nature-based solutions. It also promotes active community participation and the use of innovative approaches to environmental protection.
This governance model has the potential to be replicated in other contexts, creating a positive impact beyond the regional level, promoting sustainable economic and social development in coastal areas.
Workshops
