The Andalusian Minister of Sustainable Development and EnvironmentCatalina Garciareaffirmed this Saturday the Council’s commitment “in favor of climate action and the protection of biodiversity”.
During his second day at COP-29which is being held in Baku (Azerbaijan), underlined “innovative” policies and projects that place the autonomous community as a reference in the response to climate change at the international level.
In his speech at the forum organized by Regions4 and the Lombardy RegionCatalina García highlighted the relevance of Andalusian forest policies as key tools for mitigation and adaptation to climate change.
“We are developing a forest law which aims not only the conservation of our forest areas, but also their adaptation to climate change, by converting our forests into carbon sinks and promoting sustainable forest management,” he explained.
“Climate change seriously affects Andalusia: severe droughts, floods, high temperatures and reduced precipitation They are becoming more and more common. These changes have an impact on soil, water and our way of life. These are the main reasons why Andalusia is working decisively on policies and plans to protect our environment,” he added.
You remember The Council promotes a global modernization of its organizations and its legislation to combat climate change and protect the environment. This strategy is reinforced by the Andalusian Climate Action Plan Horizon 2030 and the creation of the Interministerial Commission on Climate Change, responsible for coordinating government actions.
Furthermore, the Andalusian Climate Council encourages the active participation of society in these policies. Likewise, he highlighted that the Andalusian Government promotes collaboration with municipalities through technical, administrative and financial support.
He declared that tools such as the Climate Map and a carbon footprint calculation system They help municipalities project future climate scenarios and monitor their emissions. Likewise, the Network of Green and Sustainable Cities (Reversa), which already has the participation of 291 municipalities, “This is a key element in the transition towards sustainable practices, aligned with the objectives of the Green Deal and the Sustainable Development Goals,” he added.
The advisor also highlighted the importance of public-private collaboration and knowledge transfer to improve the management of natural resources and biodiversity.
In this sense, he mentioned the progress in the valorization of the ecosystem services offered by Andalusian forests and the work on programs such as the recovery of the Iberian lynx and the imperial eagle, recognized internationally.
On the other hand, Catalina García held a strategic meeting with the Secretary of Environmental Protection of the Government of CaliforniaYana Garcia. This meeting aimed to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the management and protection of protected natural areas, an area in which both regions have great interest and experience.
During the meeting, the advisor and the Californian representatives reaffirmed their common commitment to sharing knowledge and good practices, particularly in terms of conserving wetlands, a vital ecosystem both for biodiversity and for mitigating the effects of climate change.
“This agreement aims to strengthen conservation policies, promoting joint initiatives in areas such as ecosystem restoration, biodiversity preservation and sustainable management of natural resources,” he said.
This collaboration, moreover, seeks to strengthen common projects that allow Andalusia move forward in the conservation of its most precious natural spaces, maintaining an environmentally friendly development model.
