Line of action:

Drivers of biodiversity loss

Status:

En ejecución

Execution date:

2023

Total budget:

€177,947.00

Amount of aid from the Biodiversity Foundation:

€124,562.90

The link between adaptation to climate change and the fight against depopulation is included in the National Plan for Adaptation to Climate Change 2021-2030.
The rural abandonment experienced in many municipalities in Spain (62% have lost population since 2001; 74% in the last decade) is deteriorating many of the natural and cultural systems and landscapes.
On the one hand, the loss of population, and associated rural activity, causes a loss of adaptation capacity in the territory and an increase in risks, such as large forest fires.
On the other hand, rural livelihoods depend heavily on resources that are highly sensitive to climate, which are altered in their patterns and characteristics as a result of climate change.
Protected areas are inspiring tools to improve and promote climate change adaptation capacities , particularly in socially and environmentally vulnerable territories.

The general objective of the project is to promote the integration of the fight against depopulation and its contribution to adaptation to climate change in the management and planning of protected areas. Specific goals include:

• To analyse and typify the socio-economic trends of the municipalities that are part of the network of protected areas in Spain and their consequences in terms of adaptation to climate change.
• To analyze the impact of the management capacities of protected areas on the socioeconomic trends and adaptation to climate change of the territory.
• Propose criteria and measures to integrate the fight against depopulation and adaptation to climate change into the planning and management of protected areas.
• Promote the transferability of project results.

• Sociodemographic diagnosis of protected areas and management capacities aimed at the demographic challenge and adaptation to climate change.
• Case studies to analyse in depth examples of different types of protected areas and modes of governance (Biosphere Reserve, Natural Park, Natura 2000 Network area) in territories with different characteristics where policies are being developed both to reverse population loss and to increase their resilience to climate change.
• Compilation of examples of good practices in integrating the demographic challenge as a tool for adaptation to climate change in protected areas, both in the planning of these areas and through specific measures that are being implemented in these territories.
• Preparation of general recommendations to integrate the demographic challenge and adaptation to climate change into protected area policies.
• Preparation of an online toolkit with the results of the project, which will include information on the project, case study reports, good practice document, document of recommendations for protected area planning and video interviews with key agents in the areas analysed.
• Transfer of the results of the project at the ESPARC 2024 congress through a monographic workshop.
  The congress has been a meeting place for managers and professionals of Spanish protected areas since 1995.
• Awareness-raising action for decision-makers, with visits, interviews and meetings with key agents in one of the protected areas.
• Dissemination and communication of the project.