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Málaga Steps Up Climate Action with Inclusive and Long-Term Vision
Málaga, Spain, a city renowned for its sun-kissed beaches, rich history, and vibrant cultural tapestry, is actively charting a course towards a sustainable and resilient future. Acknowledging the urgent need to confront the escalating challenges of climate change, Málaga is implementing a multifaceted strategy that prioritizes the well-being of its citizens, the preservation of its unique urban environment, and the creation of a long-term vision for a thriving community.
The city is already experiencing significant climate impacts, such as an increase in heat waves, episodes of prolonged drought, and heightened pressure on water resources. These observable challenges underscore the necessity of Málaga's efforts to enhance climate resilience, ensuring that the city can adapt to these changes while safeguarding its natural and cultural heritage for future generations. By taking proactive measures, Málaga aims to secure a sustainable future for both its residents and the rich environment that defines the city.
Central to Málaga's proactive approach is its updated Local Climate Adaptation Plan, a comprehensive blueprint for navigating the complexities of a changing climate. This plan introduces a series of vital measures designed to safeguard residents and infrastructure, including strategically positioned climate shelters offering respite from increasingly intense heatwaves and meticulously designed climate pathways ensuring safe and efficient mobility during extreme weather events.
Acknowledging the region's inherent vulnerability to water scarcity, Málaga is also placing a strong emphasis on enhancing water resilience. This involves investing in innovative strategies to optimize water usage, promote conservation, and explore alternative water sources. Recognizing the imperative to reduce its carbon footprint, the City Council is actively working to improve energy efficiency and decarbonize municipal buildings, setting a leading example for sustainable practices within the public sector.
However, Málaga understands that technological solutions and infrastructure improvements alone are not sufficient to achieve true climate resilience. The city recognizes that collaboration is essential and actively cultivates partnerships at all levels to maximize impact and foster shared responsibility. Alfonso Palacios, Project Manager at the Department of Environmental Sustainability, underscores this collaborative spirit, stating, "The most exciting thing we've achieved is the level of cooperation across City Council departments. We are also engaging with academia and, for the first time, with private companies in a meaningful way. The city's leading businesses are not only supporting us but actively collaborating to give climate change the attention it deserves."
Málaga extends its commitment to collaboration beyond its geographical borders through active engagement with the P2R network, recognizing the immense value of knowledge sharing and joint problem-solving. By hosting the P2R Sensemaking meeting with partners from across Europe in September, Málaga solidified its position as a leader in international climate cooperation. As Alfonso Palacios remarked during the event, "It was a privilege to welcome everyone to our city. Meetings like this are very important because they allow us to share experiences and challenges, and to learn from each other. We are proud that Málaga was chosen to host and grateful to the project partners for trusting us."
To mitigate its risks and build a more resilient future, Málaga is actively championing innovative solutions like:
Regeneration of the Berms of the Guadalmedina River: This is one of the most important actions to recover and give back to Malaga a valuable green lung, which also brings the river closer to the city, making it more visible and enjoyable, while contributing to mitigating and fighting against the effects of climate change.
Mareto: A Marine Observatory to Study Climate Change and the Alboran Sea.This scientific infrastructure allows the acquisition of oceanographic information continuously and in real time, making Málaga a pioneering city in marine observation at the European level, studying the biodiversity of Malaga's waters, the impact of climate change on it and the particularities of the Alboran Sea.
Largest Municipal Solar Plant at the Desalination Plant in El Atabal: A project to harness solar power.
The solar park covers an area of 24,592 square meters and has a power of 3,159-kilowatt peak, capable of generating more than 5,255 megawatt hours per year for the self-consumption of the desalination plant, equivalent to the electricity demand of two thousand homes. In total, it has 5,531 photovoltaic modules distributed on the roofs of the desalination plant.
Moreover, Málaga’s strategic partnership with P2R is providing critical support in different areas:
Financial Resources and Investment Leverage: The P2R project provides significant financial support through sub-grants, enabling Málaga to implement its climate adaptation measures, conduct crucial research, and develop effective strategies. These sub-grants act as a catalyst, attracting additional investments and fostering valuable partnerships. As noted by Alfonso Palacios, P2R provides “significant financial support to us through sub-grants,” and these sub-grants "can help us attract additional investments and partnerships for their climate resilience projects."
Expert Guidance and Technical Assistance: P2R offers invaluable expert guidance, technical assistance and capacity building, supporting Málaga in developing robust climate resilience strategies, accurately identifying vulnerabilities, and implementing effective adaptation measures.
Knowledge Sharing and Best Practices: Through the P2R network, Málaga gains access to a wealth of knowledge and best practices from other cities facing similar climate-related challenges, strengthening the city’s climate knowledge base.
Guided by the core principles of inclusivity, nature-based solutions, and a long-term vision, Málaga is positioning itself as a city that not only responds to climate risks but also actively leads by example. Through concrete adaptation measures, strategic partnerships, and a deep-seated commitment to sustainability, Málaga is forging a future where its citizens can thrive in a climate-resilient urban environment.
