The LIFE IP Urban Klima 2050 project, led by the public company Ihobe, is acting as host and showcasing the Basque model of climate action, which is based on governance, financing, and territorial action. This meeting in Bilbao brings together representatives from 24 LIFE program projects to discuss advancements in climate change mitigation and adaptation.
The inaugural program included a presentation by the director of Natural Heritage and Adaptation to Climate Change of the Basque Government, who spoke about the LIFE IP Urban Klima 2050 project and participated in a round table focused on governance, fund mobilization, and capacity building. The presence of this LIFE Platform Meeting in Euskadi highlights the work done in the region on climate action, based on a model that combines strategic planning, pilot project development, and collaboration among different administrative levels and local stakeholders.
“"After years of work, Euskadi offers an example of how to translate climate planning into concrete actions in the territory, through collaboration between administrations, agents, and technical knowledge, generating a real impact on the resilience of the territory, with the LIFE IP Urban Klima 2050 project as an example."
Through a multi-level and multi-stakeholder governance approach, Urban Klima 2050 has successfully integrated the vision and knowledge of public administrations, technological centers, and local entities into a shared work model. This approach has enabled the development of actions in coastal, river, and urban areas to reduce flood risk, improve territorial resilience, and adapt to the effects of climate change.
The project, currently in its final year of execution, has completed approximately 80% of its budget and about 80% of its planned actions. Furthermore, it is generating a positive impact on the Basque economy, contributing around 7 million euros to the GDP and sustaining approximately 100 jobs.
During the meeting, European delegations will have the opportunity to witness firsthand some of the advancements developed by the LIFE IP Urban Klima 2050 project. This includes technical visits to interventions such as the socio-environmental recovery of the Tonpoi area in Bermeo, and flood defense actions in the Estepona river in Bakio. The program concludes with a visit to Bilbao, where actions developed in the María Díaz de Haro area will be presented as an example of integrating nature-based solutions in urban environments.
