The Basque Government's Deputy Minister for Environmental Sustainability, Josu Bilbao, took part in the official opening of the Uhinak Cross-Border Conference on Climate and Coastal Change, accompanied by Adolfo Uriarte, Director of Natural Heritage and Climate Change, and by Alexander Boto, the Ihobe General Manager. On 23 and 24 October, 150 specialists in the field will gather together at the conference at Ficoba, Irun, to share actions, solutions and experiences. During his speech, Deputy Minister Bilbao stressed that “the transfer of coastal powers will allow us to progress even further in adapting the Basque coast to climate change and to make it more resilient. The Basque Government wants to have greater capacity to act along our coastal strip".

Josu Bilbao stressed the work by the Basque Government on early warning systems and on applying more than 90 nature-based solutions

“We are currently also analysing the carbon absorption potential of our seagrass, saltmarsh and marine habitats, what we call blue carbon and which is going to be presented at Uhinak”, explained Minister Josu Bilbao.

Bilbao also emphasised what is being done under the impetus of the Basque Government. Specifically, he mentioned the early warning systems for the envisaged impacts of climate change, and pointed out that "we must use technology as a tool that allows us to forge ahead in decision making".

The Deputy Minister also referred to the nature-based solutions already being applied in the territory. Ninety projects driven by different levels of the administration have come to fruition in recent years. "We are investing in ecological restoration and to defend biodiversity: fostering the rewilding of urban spaces and restoring habitats. We are setting the standard in Europe".

Bilbao also referred to micro-plastic and plastic pollution, and how it is affecting habitats and ecosystems. Accordingly - and as the Minister for Industry, Energy Transition and Sustainability, Mikel Jauregi, recently announced in the Basque Parliament - "in the Basque Country, we are going to deploy a ground-breaking programme for zero water, air and soil pollution, to reduce contamination and protect the health of people and the environment".

The Deputy Minister pointed out that “the Basque Government is implementing actions in the priority areas of our coast or coastline", referring to the Life Urban Klima 2050 project. He also gave as an example the works underway and planned in Txingudi bay: creating the Pier Loti pedestrian and cycling route this very summer, which will connect Hondarribia, Irun and Hendaye; the work to refurbish the Ekoetxea Txingudi environmental centre; and he expressed the desire for work to start on expanding the San Lorenzo lagoon as soon as possible.

About Uhinak

Uhinka is a Cross-Border Conference on Climate and Coastal Change organised by Ficoba and the AZTI technology centre, with the support of multiple institutions including the Basque Government's Ministry of Industry, Energy Transition and Sustainability through Ihobe, its environmental management agency; Gipuzkoa Provincial Council (Environmental Department); Communauté d'agglomération Pays Basque and the Nouvelle Aquitaine Region.

www.uhinak.com