The biennial conference brought together experts, municipal technicians, and political leaders to debate climate change challenges and define concrete actions. Mayor Jordi Soler announced the initiative to share experiences and find solutions to what they consider a global challenge.
The meeting highlighted top-level scientific knowledge to guide municipal decision-making with concrete, sustained, and sustainable actions, creating a real meeting space between scientists, experts, municipal technicians, and political leaders. Priority municipal action lines were identified in coastal management, water, energy, and forest resources, promoting a realistic and achievable ecological transition.
“"Local objectives in the fight against climate change transcend us, and the challenge is global. We must be ambitious, and we are. Creating this association is another step, and soon we will inform about the scope of the action and the complicities we have found throughout the territory."
Among the speakers, Teresa Ribera, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission for a Clean, Just and Competitive Transition, praised the initiative as a first for Catalonia and stressed the importance of prevention and collaboration. Jordi Hereu, Minister of Industry and Tourism, also congratulated the council, noting its alignment with the Spain Tourism Strategy 2030 for a more sustainable tourism model.
Experts such as biologist Ramon Folch, meteorologist Francesc Mauri, and climatologist Javier Martín-Vide shared insights on mitigation, adaptation, management of shaded areas, and climate refuges. Coastal management was addressed by Mauricio González and Manel Grifoll, while resource management discussions included contributions from Antonio Turiel and Jordi Agustí.
The conference also covered the consequences of climate change on agricultural activities, with input from oenologist Delfí Sanahuja, and ecosystem degradation, warned about by researcher Annelies Broekman. Finally, sustainable finance expert Noèlia Souque emphasized the need for economic resources and the availability of European funding for sustainability and climate adaptation projects.
