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IHOBE
IN ACTION IHOBE
PEOPLE MORE ABOUT
IHOBE

CLIMATE ACTION

LOCAL SUSTAINABILITY

CIRCULAR ECONOMY

SOIL MONITORING

ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION

ECO-INNOVATION

+800

mobilized companies
in circular economy

   

209municipalities

10 supramunicipal entities and 21 counties adhered to Udalsarea 2030

+120.000

people are part of the change of the new Ekoetxea network

173

young people with practical training in circular economy

+10

cross-cutting and collaborative projects following the approval of the first Basque Country Soil Protection Strategy

7

innovative projects regarding the adaptation to climate change - Klimatek

About Thumbnail

Arantxa Tapia Otaegi
Minister of Economic Development, Sustainability and Environment of the Basque Government.
President of Ihobe, Public Society for Environmental Management.

Accelerating the transition process to achieve a more sustainable Basque Country

The Basque Government develops its own roadmap to achieve an economic model in which industry and technology are the main axes for the climate and energy transition. The Green Pact of the Basque Country is a firm commitment to the circular economy, technology, science and support to local administrations to achieve greenhouse gas reduction and adaptation to climate change.

During 2022 Ihobe has contributed to such objectives with actions such as the elaboration of the Soil Protection Strategy with a comprehensive approach, or the deployment of Erreminta-Gida, the service charter with all the tools and services intended for city halls and regional entities to accelerate the required climate and energy transition.

From these lines I invite you to know the main milestones reached by Ihobe in 2022.

About Image

Alexander Boto Bastegieta
CEO of Ihobe, Public Environmental Management Company. Basque Government.

Circular economy for a more sustainable Basque Country facing the challenge of climate change

The memory of Ihobe 2022 is a reflection of the great challenge that entails dealing with the current climate emergency. The Basque Circular Summit has confirmed that the circular economy and eco-innovation are key tools for the decarbonisation of Basque industry. However, the climate and energy transition would be impossible without climate action projects such as Life Urban Klima and the impulse and determination of the local administration that during 2022 has celebrated the 20th anniversary of Udalsarea 2030, the Basque network of sustainable municipalities.

At Ihobe, we believe that this is the only way, from the sum of people and efforts, we will achieve the environmental improvement of the Basque Country.

Mission, vision

Strategic Objectives

Activity reports

Regarding people

Social responsibility

Transparency

Board of Directors

Equality

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Ihobe people

+81,6%

entities consider acting or modifying decisions based on knowledge provided by Ihobe through its tools.

30 millions

of € from third parties mobilised in the sectoral integration of environmental policy.

+25.000

tonnes
of reduced greenhouse gases.

257.000

tons of waste and land to be reintroduced into the economy.

+31

advanced knowledge tools for decision-making (publications, viewers, methodologies, technical guides, etc.).

1.084

millions of € mobilized in green public purchase.

By areas


Climate
action

01
Soil Protection Strategy
02
LIFE IP Urban Klima 2050
03
ASTEKLIMA 2022
04
OPCC ADAPYR 2022
05
POSIDON

Circular
economy

01
Basque Circular Summit
02
New headquarter of the Basque Circular Hub
03
Eco-innovation in the Basque Country
04
SMEs Circular Basque Country
05
Beginning of the travelling exhibition Zirkularrak- Circulars
06
European Week of Waste Prevention

Environmental
Sustainability

01
Udalsarea 2030 renews its membership agreement
02
Green Purchase and Procurement Program of the Basque Country 2030
03
Ihobe and EVE present “Erreminta-Gida”
04
Erronka Garbia certificate
05
School of Education for Sustainability 2030
06
Ekoetxea - The new network of environmental centres in the Basque Country

Publications
Next
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Ihobe and
environmental communication

At Ihobe we believe that quality environmental communication is key for society to move forward on the path of sustainability.

Milestones

Ihobe's main achievements and progress throughout 2022. Highlights include Ihobe's ongoing support to the development of new environmental legislation and planning for sustainability.

MARCH
The Basque Circular programme for SMEs is launched to further implement the Basque Country's Circular Economy Strategy.
APRIL
The Basque Country designs its new Environmental Framework Programme, outlining the path for its sustainability policy up to 2030.
JUNE
The first holistic strategy for protecting soil is approved.

Associated publication
JUNE
The pandemic was behind the Basque Country’s 12% record drop in greenhouse gas emissions in 2020.

Associated publication   Associated publication
JULY
Presentation of the Basque Green Public Procurement Programme 2030, which has attracted around twenty entities.

Associated publication
SEPTEMBER
Udalsarea 2030 celebrates its 20th anniversary with 205 municipalities and counties committed to sustainability and the 2030 Agenda in the Basque Country.

Associated publication   Infography
SEPTEMBER
Ihobe presents a new collection of instruments for driving climate action on natural heritage.
OCTOBER
The Basque Government boosts the circular economy with the opening of a new Basque Circular Hub in Vitoria-Gasteiz.
NOVEMBER
Ihobe and EVE present support services for local administrations in tackling the energy and climate transition.

Associated publication
NOVEMBER
The Basque Circular Summit presents the circular economy as a key tool for decarbonising Basque industry.

Vídeo
NOVEMBER
Public-private collaboration drives 105 eco-innovation projects in the Basque Country with successful circular solutions.

Associated publication

DECEMBER
The Ekoetxea Network undertakes its transformation process in order to achieve greater citizen commitment to climate change.

  Mission


We are a public entity attached to the Department of Economic Development, Sustainability and Environment that works to improve the environment by integrating environmental criteria into public policies.


We refer to public and private entities and relate to the citizenship of the Basque Country.


We are specialized drivers in the fields of soil protection, circular economy, climate change, biodiversity and sustainability.

  Vision


At Ihobe, the Basque Environment Agency, we want to be a reference point for our stakeholders in the design and deployment of environmental policies.


To that end, we design and manage public instruments that favour the sectoral integration of the environment and generate and transfer applied knowledge for decision-making.


Our approach is comprehensive, it covers the entire public policy cycle, it relies on innovation and contributes to the environmentally sustainable development of the Basque Country.

  Strategic Objectives

Download Strategic Plan 2021-2024

 

01

Incorporate environmental sustainability into public policies.

 

02

Catalyse the investment or expenditure in eco-innovation, environmental protection and soil recovery.

 

03

Ensure Ekogarapena’s trust for instrument deployment in soil protection, circular economy, climate change and environmental sustainability policies.

 

04

To become a reference in the transfer of knowledge and expert criteria for decision-making.

 

05

Mobilize companies and municipalities to act in soil protection, circular economy and climate change.

 

06

Promote changes regarding sustainable behaviour in citizenship.

 

07

Facilitate the decrease of GHG emissions and the efficient use of material resources.

 

08

To be considered an exemplary organization with advanced management.

Activity reports

The Basque Government’s strategic framework points out significant environmental challenges for 2024, which Ihobe has already been facing and which will impact future actions: climate action, protecting our natural capital, and promoting a circular economy.

The quarterly reports present a summary of Ihobe’s most significant progress during the different quarters of the year.


Download Progress Report Q1 2022

Download Progress Report Q2 2022

Download Progress Report 2nd half of 2022


ihobe.eus

We are an organization commited with transparency, good governance and equality between women and men.



74

people
24 men / 50 women

44

years average
age

78%

people have
Higher Education

8,53

satisfaction degree
with the work in Ihobe

Ihobe and
social responsibility

We ensure the development of the entities that make up the social environment, where we operate, taking an active part in those activities in which we can perform social work, in line with our capacities and values, reinforcing our strategy, while promoting measures that contribute to environmental sustainability.

All this, from the involvement, creating a breeding ground that allows proposing and deploying activities of cooperation, insertion and education.

Main milestones in 2022:


• 27% increase in the turnover of insertion companies and special employment centers.
• 4 insertion companies and special employment centres hired.
• Recruitment of about 19% of insertion companies, above the 5% established by the Basque Government.
• Application of positive discrimination in 3 bidding specifications applying equality or insertion clauses.
• Paid internship in Ihobe of a person from Lantegi Batuak with a disability, as part of a collaboration with the Biscay Square building.

• Strategic alliance with Elankidetza for the benefit of environmental and cooperation activities through initiatives as well as on the ground.
• Reuse of fixed assets in use as five years old computers.

• Involvement in the Lanbide program for the one year recruitment, of up to 20 professionals to facilitate their first experiences in the labor market and extend environmental awareness.
• Stay of an average of five interns at Ihobe in different areas of knowledge.
• Involvement in an altruistic way in the teaching of environmental issues in several masters and postgraduate courses.

Transparency



11,9 millones €

Operating budget in 2022

100%

Budgetary execution in 2022

0%

Financial indebtedness

13 días

Average payment term of invoices to supplier companies 2022

Board of Directors

PRESIDENCY

Arantxa Tapia Otaegui

Minister for Economic Development, Sustainability and Environment

VICE-PRESIDENCY

Amaia Barredo Martín

Deputy Minister for Environmental Sustainability

BOARD MEMBER

Javier Aguirre Orcajo

Director de Calidad Ambiental y Economía Circular

BOARD MEMBER

Olga Martín García

General Director of Aclima

BOARD MEMBER

Alberto José Fernández González

Director of Technology and Innovation

BOARD MEMBER

Ane Etxenausia Aramburuzabala

Director of Tax Administration

DIRECCIÓN GENERAL

Alexander Boto Bastegieta

General executive chief

SECRETARIAT

José Antonio Armolea Solabarrieta

Ihobe Legal Counsel Director


Ihobe and
equality

We are recognized as a “Collaborating Entity for Equality between Women and Men” granted by Emakunde, a network comprised by entities with the emblem of Collaborating Entity for Equality between Women and Men, and voluntarily committed to promote equality between women and men.

During the year 2022, the draft of the IV Equality Plan was prepared.

Some results of the III Equality Plan have been:

• the review of recruitment procedures for the correction or incorporation of equality clauses.

• collaboration with environmental agents to promote women employability in situations of difficulty when having access to labour market.

• training given to the staff through workshops.

• the recognition by Bai Sarea rewarding a good practice on conciliati.

• monographic conferences on women’s leadership in corporate events and study of gender perspective facing climate change.

Alliances

Ihobe's main distinguishing features are its firm commitment to and ongoing cooperation with other institutions and entities with which it maintains a dynamic of collaborating on environmental policy to achieve environmental improvement through climate action, developing the circular economy and local sustainability in the Basque Country as a whole.

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Ihobe international




The Basque Country is a member of the Executive Committee of ENCORE, a political platform that brings together 122 European governments to contribute to the effective implementation of EU environmental policy, improve governance and act in 3 areas: achieving zero emissions through climate action; maintaining and enhancing ecosystem services; and integrating a circular society to create a fair transition.

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The Basque Country is a member of the Executive Committee of the Under2 Coalition, the world's largest network of states and regions committed to reducing emissions under the Paris Agreement. The network has more than 260 member governments, which account for 50% of the global economy and are working on climate action, policy innovation and transparency.

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The Basque Country has taken on the Presidency of Regions4, the global network of regional governments for sustainable development. It brings together 77 regions representing more than 300 million people through various initiatives to cooperate on climate change adaptation and biodiversity, using the 2030 Agenda as a roadmap to ensure a sustainable and resilient future.

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SOIL PROTECTION STRATEGY

The Basque Government has approved the first Estrategia de Protección del Suelo de Euskadi 2030 [Euskadi 2030 Land Protection Strategy], which holistically broaches land management, going beyond the traditional vision of work on contaminated lands, making Euskadi a benchmark in the European context. Thus, it has become a pioneering strategy due to its approach, both in Euskadi and in the State. In Europe, only a few states or regions, such as Switzerland, Scotland, Wales, or Holland have similar policies for integral land management.

Ihobe - Noticias - Euskadi contará con la primera estrategia que aborda la protección del suelo de forma integral

ASTEKLIMA 2022

The third edition of ASTEKLIMA, Climate and Energy Week, promoted more than 200 activities through 58 city halls, a groupiing of municipalities and three administrative boards, as well as three associations and five private sector entities, to mobilise and put the challenge of climate change and energy transition on the citizens' agenda.


www.asteklima.eus



In addition, with the start of the Basque Country Climate and Energy Week, Ihobe called the first edition of the short film youth competition on climate change KLIMAMETRAJE, with two different categories: “Impacts of climate change in the Basque Country” and “Solutions, initiatives, or tools that boost climate action in the Basque Country”. Juliana Ribeiro and José Carlos Pérez were proclaimed winners in both audiovisual categories, where the jury also recognized the works of José Carlos Pérez and Izaro Zelaia, available on the Ihobe Youtube channel.

OPCC ADAPYR 2022

The Basque Country is involved in the development of the first European transboundary strategy for adaptation to climate change through the project Adapyr, led by the Pyrenean Climate Change Observatory (OPCC) The Pyrenean Working Community (CTP), presented at the fourth “International Colloquium on Climate Change in Mountain Areas held in Bilbao the results of this initiative of good practices for adaptation to climate change in the Pyrenees in a context of cross-border cooperation. Ihobe, associated entity of the project together with 11 other regional, state and international institutions, has contributed through 14 recommendations distributed in 6 phases, for the integration of climate change policies for the adoption of both regional and local political measures in the Pyrenees.


Further information in www.opcc-ctp.org

Ihobe - News - The Basque Country participates in the elaboration of the first European transboundary strategy for the adaptation to climate change

LIFE IP Urban Klima 2050

During 2022 LIFE IP Urban Klima 2050 invested 6.15 million euros in climate change adaptation and/or mitigation projects. As technical secretary of the largest climate action project in the Basque Country for the coming years, Ihobe participated with its own space in the V Transboundary Congress on Climate Change and Coastal “Uhinak” held in November 2022.


www.urbanklima2050.eu

POSIDON

The POSIDON challenge is to tackle the lack of innovation driven by public demand in the soil decontamination field in Europe. During 2022 PHASE III of the project begins, which involves the execution of pilot tests in the field, of the two innovative technologies selected and implemented in a plot of Zorrozaurre (Bilbao) and in the Port of Trieste (Italy).


www.posidonproject.eu

Basque Circular Summit

The Basque Circular Summit, the largest meeting of circular economy in southern Europe, mobilized more than 800 people and around 350 companies from multiple industrial sectors to learn new circular business models, a key tool for the decarbonization of the Basque industry.


www.basquecircularsummit.eus

Basque Circular Hub

Vitoria-Gasteiz hosts a new headquarter of the Basque Circular Hub, the advanced services centre for circular economy in the Basque Country and a benchmark due to its offer of market prospecting, advanced training, trend analysis and expert knowledge generation services.


www.basquecircularhub.eus

Ihobe - News - The Basque Government boosts the circular economy with the opening of a new Basque Circular Hub in Vitoria-Gasteiz

Eco-innovation in the Basque Country

Ihobe publishes “Eco-innovation in the Basque Country. 105 industrial projects for new circular solutions “, a journey through successful examples of public-private collaboration in the territory intended to reduce the consumption of raw materials and increase the durability of products.  For each public euro invested, an additional annual turnover of €21 has been mobilised in the private sector.

Ihobe - News - The public-private collaboration drives 105 eco-innovation projects in the Basque Country with successful circular solutions

SMEs Circular Basque Country

Implementation of SMEs Circular Basque Country, with the participation of 22 intermediary agents, who mobilize more than 2,000 companies and 175,000 workers from industrial value chains throughout the Basque Country.


Ihobe - News - Basque business agents can now join the SME Circular Basque country program, which will accompany Basque SMEs in their transition to the circular economy

Zirkularrak – Circulars

Beginning of the travelling exhibition Zirkularrak- Circulars to promote knowledge about the circular economy both among citizens and among Basque companies interested in knowing and applying successful developments in eco-innovation. After its opening within the framework of the 10th anniversary of the European Green Capital of Vitoria-Gasteiz, the exhibition continued its journey in Irun on the occasion of the Basque Circular Summit.


zirkularrak.ihobe.eus

Ihobe - News - The exhibition "Zirkularrak-Circulars" shows in Vitoria-Gasteiz circular products manufactured in the Basque Country

European Week of Waste Prevention

Reactivation of the OCRU technical working group and celebration in November of a new edition of the European Week for Waste Prevention and Management with the presentation of the Basque candidates for this European Union initiative.


European Week of Waste Prevention - EWWR

Ihobe - NEWS - Alexander Boto, CEO of Ihobe: “The circular economy is competitiveness, it is economy”

Udalsarea 2030

Udalsarea 2030, the Basque network of sustainable municipalities celebrates its 20th anniversary with 152 municipalities, 21 regional entities from the three historical territories and 10 supra-municipal entities adhered


Ihobe is the technical secretariat of Udalsarea 2030, a reference network for the contribution to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, especially in the field of climate neutrality and resilience, soil protection and circular economy.

Over the past two decades, the network has achieved

•     Half a hundred municipalities working on Local 2030 Agenda.
•     25 Basque municipalities adhered to the International Covenant of City Halls for Climate and Energy.
•     55 Basque municipalities have developed, have available or are working on plans that tackle climate (mitigation and adaptation) and energy.
•     Another 38 municipalities calculate their city halls' Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory and Carbon Footprint annually since 2016.


Udalsarea 2030 celebrates its 20th anniversary with 205 municipalities and counties committed to sustainability and the 2030 Agenda in the Basque Country

Ihobe - News - Udalsarea 2030 presents its new collaboration framework agreement for the promotion of sustainable local action and the Local 2030 Agenda in the Basque Country

Green Purchase and Procurement Program of the Basque Country 2030

resentation of the Green Purchase and Procurement Program of the Basque Country 2030 to which some twenty entities adhere.

Ihobe - News - Around twenty entities have already joined the new Green Purchase and Procurement Program of the Basque Country 2030

Ihobe and EVE present “Erreminta-Gida”

The Basque Network of sustainable Municipalities coordinates the regional visits where Ihobe and EVE present “Erreminta-Gida”, the guide of tools and devices to face energy and climate transition. The initiative deployed through Udalsarea 2030 makes available to local administration the accompanying supports and assistance programs in the field of transition and climate change.

Ihobe - News - Ihobe and EVE, start a round of local visits to detail the services of Erreminta-Gida

Certificado Erronka Garbia

The Erronka Garbia certificate consolidates with more than 200 sustainable events to raise awareness of the negative impacts associated with the development of mass activities.


Download Erronka Garbia Presentation


Ihobe - News - Erronka Garbia consolidates after certifying for free more than 200 sustainable events

School of Education for Sustainability 2030

First edition of the School of Education for Sustainability 2030 of the Summer Courses “Challenges from gender perspective”. Organized by the Environmental Education Service of the Basque Government, Ingurugela and Ihobe.

Ihobe - News - Registration opens for the first edition of the School of Education for Sustainability 2030 of the Summer Courses

Ekoetxea

Ekoetxea - The new network of environmental centres in the Basque Country received more than 120,000 visits during 2022, the year of its double premiere launches new website and purpose: to change the way people think when acting in a sustainable manner.

During 2022, the network managed by the Basque Government through public society Ihobe develops a new approach where its interpretation centers become environmental centers to accompany citizens in their commitment and engagement to ecological and energy transition.

The network consists of four own centres (Ekoetxea Urdaibai, Ekoetxea Meatzaldea, Ekoetxea Txingudi and Ekoetxea Azpeitia), and during 2022 begins the construction of a new own centre in Araba, Ekoetxea Añan.


ekoetxea.eus

School of Environmental Communication

We maintain a collaboration agreement with the Association of Environmental Information Journalists - APIA from which, among other initiatives, was born the School of Environmental Communication, framed in the Summer Courses of the University of the Basque Country, UPV/EHU, to respond to two major concerns: communication and environment.

The fourth edition of the School of Environmental Communication, held on 7 and 8 September 2022, was entitled “Ecological crisis, health crisis”, with the aim of addressing the close relationship between climate crisis, the conservation of ecosystems and people's health.

Download Environmental Communication School Report 2022

Environmental Journalism Award

As a result of the joint work with the Association and the Basque School of Journalists (CVP-AVP), since 2019 and thanks to the support of Ihobe, the Environmental Journalism Award of the Basque Country is granted annually, with the aim of recognizing information professionals due to their work to disseminate sustainable development, disclose the effects of climate change or promote the preservation of natural environment, among other issues.

In 2022, the award was granted to Ramón Bustamante, veteran announcer and journalist of Radio Popular, with four decades behind him addressing social and environmental issues.

Podcast channel

In 2021, we launched En verde-Berdean, Ihobe’s podcast channel on sustainability and environment, led by the journalist Begoña Beristain. Last year 2022 two programs were recorded to accommodate different expert voices on how to better communicate the health and ecological crisis; and on circular economy and eco-innovation.

These episodes of own production are included as well in the Ihobe podcast channel where the interventions of the technical people of Ihobe in the media are gathered with the aim of informing and disclosing the technical knowledge resulting from the daily work of the Public Environmental Management Company of the Basque Government.


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En verde-Berdean
Ihobe podcast channel