Resources

Andalusia in southern Spain is leading efforts in energy saving and sustainable construction and transport, inspired by the successful European Píxar program. This initiative achieved over 36,000 building renovations in under a year, resulting in an 85,000-ton reduction in CO2 emissions and saving families €280 million, with over 7,000 vulnerable families benefiting. For example, in Jerez, thermal insulation upgrades offered up to 70% subsidies, leading to nearly 60% energy savings for residents. Funded significantly by the EU’s cohesion policy, Píxar also created 80,000 jobs. Its success has spurred new sustainable energy development programs, as seen in Palma del Río, where European funding enabled ambitious projects like the energy-efficient renovation of a historic convent. Beyond buildings, Andalusia is also decarbonizing transport, with Córdoba’s bus fleet transitioning to cleaner compressed natural gas, significantly reducing particulate emissions.

This video introduces a unique rural project that blends traditional livestock farming with modern sustainability. The speaker, whose family has a long history in animal husbandry, explains her decision to take over the family farm, transitioning from sheep to meat goats (caprino). This shift was strategic because goats naturally clear dense undergrowth, providing natural fire prevention and fertilizing the land. The business actively collaborates with forestry services for brush clearing and firebreak maintenance.

This video highlights Reforestación Alimentaria, an organization dedicated to planting fruit trees in schools and public spaces across Argentina to provide children and adolescents with access to self-managed, organic, and sustainable food. They emphasize the importance of continuous care, working with interdisciplinary teams including agronomists and horticulturists, and fostering a sense of ownership among participants. Beyond providing nutritious food, the project aims to educate youth on food production and environmental care, promoting concepts like “edible forests” that combine fruit trees with vegetable gardens. The video showcases positive community responses, including children enthusiastically caring for the trees, and underscores the long-term vision of promoting food sovereignty and preparing new generations for a more sustainable future.

Spain’s Costa del Sol, a major global tourist hub, faces significant sustainability challenges despite growing awareness. While few hotels were built with resource conservation in mind, experts like José Damián Ruiz Sinoga argue that current tourist numbers in places like Málaga exceed their sustainable capacity, necessitating a shift from traditional sun-and-beach tourism. Local politicians aim to attract “quality tourists” interested in culture and nature, prioritizing visitor experience and resident well-being over sheer volume.

This video introduces the “Cocoon”, a biodegradable planter invented in the Netherlands, designed to boost tree growth in arid regions prone to desertification. The University of Almería’s Center for the Assessment and Monitoring of Global Change is testing its effectiveness in Sierra María-Los Vélez Natural Park, as part of the European project Life Desert-Adapt (GreenLink).

Spain’s organic sector is no longer a fleeting trend but a firmly established and growing industry. What began with small-scale farmers in the early 90s has now blossomed into an almost €2 billion annual production, with over 2 million hectares—nearly 10% of total agricultural land—dedicated to organic farming by 2018. This consistent growth, supported by rigorous European quality controls, has positioned Spain as the top organic producer in Europe and fourth worldwide. The sector’s expansion is evident across various crops, reflecting a clear increase in both production and consumer spending on organic products.

Cerrucos de Kanama’s manager, Teresa Redondo, shares energy saving and waste management tips from their artisanal cheese production in this reel. This video shows how small businesses can be environmentally conscious and successful.