The aim of this initiative is to increase the naturalness of the coast by favouring its natural resilience as a means of preventing erosion risk and adapting to climate change
The Ministry for Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge (MITECO) presented this Monday the progress of the National Strategic Plan for the Protection of the Spanish Coast, which considers the effects of climate change.
Has participated in its composition a multidisciplinary team led by the Coastal and Marine Union (EUCC), the Institute of Environmental Hydraulics (IHCantabria) from the University of Cantabria and the University Institute for Research in Sustainable Aquaculture and Marine Ecosystems (ECOAQUA) from the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC).
The document will be subjected to a national consultation until July 22nd, in order to obtain all the contributions on medium and long-term action programs, according to a Miteco statement.
The aim of this initiative, funded by the European Union's Structural Reform Support Program (DG Reform) at the request of MITECO, is to increase the naturalness of the coast by promoting its natural resilience as a means of preventing erosion risk and adapting to climate change.
The third vice-president and minister for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge, Teresa Ribera, has pointed out in a telematic meeting that in Spain, with more than 10.000 kilometres of coastline. She also emphasised that it is ‘essential to have strategies and management mechanisms that "enable the good condition of our coastal strip where a very important part of our population lives, and which supports a relevant economic activity’.
Over the last few months, the team involved in the project has carried out an analysis of coastal management and governance. For this purpose, it was prepared an integrated diagnosis for a better understanding of coastal problems, which identifies specific goals and objectives, methodology and selection criteria for the measures to be adopted to reduce pressures on the coast and for the protection, preservation, and integrated management of coastal resources in Spain.
From the information of this integrated diagnosis, which includes the review of experiences in other member countries of the European Union, on Monday, the progress in the preparation of the National Strategic Plan was presented, with the definition of the mission, vision, general objective, strategic objectives, as well as intervention lines.
The National Strategic Plan for the Protection of the Spanish Coast, considering the effects of Climate Change, will be completed in November 2022 with the incorporation of the results of the consultation and the composition of technical guides and complementary documents.
The main objective of this plan is to provide a «coherent approach», ensuring regional harmonization and the application of the most appropriate measures for the protection of the entire Spanish coastline and for its management.
Being all those actions that fall on the competences of the Management General of the Coast and Sea (DGCM) in relation to coastal erosion risk management, seeking synergies with flood risk management and incorporating adaptation to climate change.