Population concentration and its impact on the environment
The vast majority of the global population and its activity are grouped in urban areas, where it is estimated that, on average, 40% of the available energy is consumed and 70% of greenhouse gas emissions are generated. Additionally, 80% of the food consumed worldwide is found in these cities, which are also responsible for 70% of waste production. Daily activities in these spaces carry a carbon footprint that is three times larger than that of rural areas.
Urban challenges and opportunities in the face of climate change
This set of circumstances not only makes cities the main drivers of climate change, but also makes them particularly vulnerable to the social and economic effects that this phenomenon can cause. However, there is also the potential for these urban areas to play a fundamental role in finding innovative solutions that help mitigate the effects of the climate emergency.
The drive towards resilient and sustainable cities
With this panorama, it is essential to build cities that are more resilient and sustainable. This implies that local administrations must deploy strategies in various areas, such as mobility, consumption, energy, waste management and water management. In this context, Girona City Council has promoted the initiative called “Girona Circular City”.
What does Girona Circular City represent?
The “Girona Circular City” label integrates multiple actions designed to lead a change towards a more sustainable, resilient and emission-free city, as well as respectful of its natural environment. To achieve this goal, the local government is committed to active collaboration between citizens, public and private institutions, also betting on circularity as an economic and social model that promotes prevention, reuse, recycling and recovery of resources.
Leadership in the fight against the climate emergency
This initiative seeks to position Girona as a leading municipality in the fight against the climate emergency. The mayor, Lluc Salellas, highlights that this set of actions is crucial given the significant climate impact that the city has compared to neighbouring municipalities. “It is essential that we recognise the seriousness of this situation, both from an ecological and social point of view. Throughout the country, we continue to see local governments promoting projects that go against what we need,” he stresses.
The role of mayors in climate adaptation
“City councils are the institutions closest to citizens and are in tune with their needs and challenges. This closeness must be used to implement climate adaptation and mitigation policies, always with a social vision and solid scientific support,” concludes Salellas.
Committed actions: the Girona Circular City program
Girona Circular City is structured around five fundamental axes that cover different aspects, including water, energy, mobility, waste management and responsible consumption. According to the projections of the Catalan Water Agency, the availability of water in Catalonia is expected to decrease by 18% by the year 2050. Given the recent severe drought, the “Water is Life” platform has denounced the ineffective management of this resource by government entities.
Measures to conserve water in Girona
The measures implemented by the City Council include the preservation of water by installing two wells that will relieve pressure on the Sau and Susqueda reservoirs. In addition, 900 aerators for taps and showers have been distributed free of charge, which help to minimise consumption, and the use of showers in municipal sports facilities has been limited. These are just some of the actions implemented during the most critical months of drought.
Local funds and food sustainability
Cities, compared to an ogre in terms of size, produce neither food nor energy, and are entirely dependent on what comes from outside areas. According to food sovereignty activist Gustavo Duch, “cities consume between 70% and 80% of food and energy without giving anything back to their environment.” Therefore, another line of action is to promote local trade, the use of local products and reduce food waste.
Initiatives in local trade and production
Girona promotes local fairs and markets, while promoting the Municipal Food Market (Mercado del León and Mercado de la Dehesa) as the logistics center for fresh products in the city. In addition, the City Council provides specific advice for cooperative and social and solidarity economy projects, and promotes initiatives such as “Buy Girona” to consolidate the city as a sustainable tourist destination.
Energy transition in the municipality
Regarding energy production, cities, being large consumers of external resources, must play an active role in the transformation towards renewable energy sources. As Sara Pizzinato, head of Greenpeace’s Renewable Energy campaign, mentioned, it is necessary to reconsider “what and for whom energy is produced.”
Renewable energy initiatives in Girona
Girona City Council has installed solar panels on five public buildings and has plans to add two more. Public lighting is also being renovated by switching to LED bulbs, with the aim of improving energy efficiency and reducing costs, all while reducing emissions. Additionally, work is being done to promote local energy communities in some neighborhoods, along with additional actions that support the energy transition.
Sustainable mobility as an objective
At the same time, several measures have been implemented in the field of mobility to continue with the Girona supra-municipal sustainable urban mobility plan. This plan is a roadmap that promotes non-polluting and healthy forms of travel. The measures included seek to improve the efficiency of public transport, optimize the network of paths for pedestrians and encourage the use of bicycles.
New initiatives for active mobility
Along these lines, nine new stops have been inaugurated in the public bicycle network, with more than 200 bicycles available, and the first closed parking lot for bicycles has been created, with capacity for more than 80 vehicles.
Waste management: an adapted model
In terms of waste management, different collection models have been implemented to suit the characteristics of each neighbourhood. This ranges from a new “door-to-door” collection system to the use of smart containers, as well as a collection model based on bins placed and removed in designated areas. At the same time, reduction and reuse campaigns are being carried out, with the aim of increasing selective waste collection from 52% to 70%, in addition to various awareness-raising initiatives.
The concept of circularity in the economy
“Girona Ciudad Circular” promotes a model based on circularity, which prioritizes the reduction of resource use, ensuring efficient management through recycling and promoting environmental regeneration.
The City Council’s commitment to circularity
The Councilor for Climate Action, Sergi Cot, explains: “Circularity is a global challenge with the purpose of redirecting production and consumption models towards societies that aspire to zero waste, that maintain a balance in their social metabolism, and that participate collectively in the production of renewable energy”.
The motto that inspires change
The motto that supports this brand is “Nothing changes if nothing changes.” According to Lluc Salellas, he reflects that the structural changes necessary to confront the climate crisis often generate resistance, even though the population knows that they will be beneficial in the long term.
The mayor’s determination in the face of the climate challenge
“We have learned throughout history that changes are usually received with skepticism. However, after the pacification of streets that were previously saturated with vehicles, today no one wants to reverse those green spaces that are now part of the urban landscape. Thus, In Girona we are determined to implement necessary changes to ensure a place where people can live properly,” concludes the mayor.
