The Pyrenean Climate Change Observatory (OPCC) has highlighted the role of nature-based solutions as a key tool to strengthen the resilience of the Pyrenees in the face of climate change and, at the same time, boost the local economy and encourage people to remain in mountain areas. It did so within the framework of the LIFE Platform Meeting on Climate Strategic Integrated Projects, the European gathering that brings together the leaders of 24 integrated and strategic projects under the LIFE programme to share progress in climate change mitigation and adaptation, and in which the LIFE Pyrenees4Clima project is taking part. The event was held in Bilbao from 21 to 23 April.

During the third day, Juan Terrádez, technician at the OPCC and manager of the PYRENEES4CLIMA project, stressed that nature-based solutions allow for a systemic and circular approach, making it easier to involve all territorial stakeholders in responding to climate change. In this regard, he argued that “a climate-resilient Pyrenees must be built through cross-border cooperation, the implementation of green infrastructure, and support for the local economy,” giving priority to this type of action.

Terrádez also insisted on the importance of participatory governance to guarantee local involvement and ownership of the actions undertaken. As an example, he mentioned the Vall de Boí, where schools and elderly residents of the area work together to create forest nurseries of native plants in order to cultivate the plant material later used in their own nature-based solutions, thereby strengthening the connection between community, territory, and climate adaptation.

In his speech, he also presented several concrete examples promoted within the framework of Pyrenees4Clima, such as the restoration of degraded soils with local seeds, the conservative and regenerative management of soils and water resources in irrigated areas, and agrosilvopastoralism to maintain a mosaic landscape, reduce wildfire risk, and protect water resources. All these solutions are aimed at reinforcing the functionality of natural ecosystems and highlighting the protective role of these ecosystems for mountain activities.

He also emphasized the economic efficiency of these measures and their ability to generate long-term benefits. In this sense, he pointed out that although initial costs may be perceived as a barrier, nature-based solutions have proven to be highly cost-effective when savings in maintenance, risk reduction, and emergency management are taken into account, in addition to their contribution to the mountain economy through the use of local resources and materials. As an example, he mentioned the use of virtual GPS fencing in the Albera massif, a tool that helps reduce the risk of forest fires by ensuring proper grazing, while supporting the activity and quality of life of small and medium-sized local livestock farms.

He also highlighted the protective role of forests against avalanches and other natural hazards, and stressed the need to integrate climate change adaptation by focusing on land management, from a perspective that generates environmental, social, and economic benefits.

The participation of the OPCC in this European forum also included the presence of its coordinator, Eva García-Balaguer, at a meeting that made it possible to exchange experiences with the main leaders of integrated and strategic LIFE climate action projects currently being developed in Europe, as well as with European officials responsible for managing these funds within CINEA.

In this context, the OPCC presented, at a stand and before the event participants, the scope and orientation of LIFE Pyrenees4Clima, as it is the only cross-border climate change adaptation project in a mountain area in Europe. In this regard, its participation in various workshops highlighted the innovative governance in climate action being carried out in the Pyrenees, the important learning and training dynamic underway, and the capacity to mobilize funding through the creation of new complementary projects linked to INTERREG-POCTEFA funds.

Together with the Catalan Climate Change Office and the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, the observatory represents the work of the 46 partner entities implementing 33 pilot cases throughout the Pyrenean range in order to put the Pyrenean Climate Change Strategy (EPiCC) into practice on the ground.

Through these pilot experiences, Pyrenees4Clima works to improve ecosystem resilience, reduce the vulnerability of the territory and its people, and promote adaptation models that, in addition to responding to the impacts of climate change, create opportunities for local communities.

Participation in this meeting reinforces the OPCC’s commitment to cross-border cooperation and to the development of innovative solutions that make it possible to move towards a more resilient, livable, and better-prepared Pyrenees in the face of the increasingly evident impacts of climate change. It also stands as an example for other European mountain and cross-border regions, acting as a Living Laboratory mobilized against climate change, with the aim of creating a large, resilient cross-border mountain community.