Greenpeace calls for water crisis policy shift in Spain
Greenpeace called on Spain’s government and regional authorities in Madrid, Spain, on Wednesday 19 August to reject new reservoirs and water transfers as part of a response to the water crisis. The environmental group also demanded strict protection of ecological river flows, saying the crisis is now an immediate emergency across Europe and particularly severe in northern Spain.
The organisation urged authorities to move away from infrastructure-led water policy and instead restore soils, prevent erosion and protect native forest areas. It said abstractions must not upset rivers and aquatic ecosystems in Atlantic and Mediterranean catchments.
Demands on water use and supply networks
Greenpeace called for illegal wells and unauthorised water extraction points to be closed immediately, alongside stronger protection for aquifers against pollution. It also said municipalities should audit and urgently repair distribution networks to curb losses of drinking water.
Julio Barea, head of Greenpeace Spain’s water campaign, said authorities were continuing to manage water unsustainably. He said 30% of drinking water was being lost through leaks in defective pipes.
Limits on high-consumption developments
The group asked central and regional governments to stop licences for large recreational, tourism and intensive developments in areas affected by water stress and desertification. It also called for a sharp reduction in agro-industrial demand, with water use matched to scientifically assessed availability.
Greenpeace said available water resources could fall by up to 40% in coming decades. It called for cuts to intensive industrial livestock farming and for extensive and family-run livestock systems to be prioritised.
The demands were made as the 17th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification began this week in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Greenpeace wants Spain to lead efforts for a binding international framework on preventive water management and resilience to global drought.
Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com