Inaugural Mediterranean Climate Action Partnership Conference, led by Catalonia and California, Commits to Shared Knowledge and Promote Joint Projects
Catalonia hosted representatives from 15 regions across 5 continents this week at the Inaugural Conference of the Mediterranean Climate Action Partnership (MCAP), a global organization dedicated to climate change adaptation and mitigation and reversing biodiversity loss in Mediterranean climate regions. The organization is led by the governments of Catalonia and California. This partnership was established during the last United Nations climate change summit (COP28), which took place last December in Dubai (United Arab Emirates).
In addition to Catalonia and California, the partnership includes South Australia, Baja California Sur (Mexico), Biobio (Chile), Emilia-Romagna (Italy), Eastern Morocco (Morocco), New South Wales (Australia), Occitania (France), Rabat-Salé-Kenitra (Morocco), Central Greece Region (Greece), Southern Region (France), Santiago (Chile), Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima (Morocco), Victoria (Australia), and Western Cape (South Africa).
Drought, Extreme Heat, and Major Wildfires
The conference provided an opportunity for leaders from each region to share best practices and learn new ways to tackle similar climate risks such as drought, extreme heat, and major wildfires. Over four days, Catalonia served as a "laboratory," inspiring collaboration and proposing innovative solutions among the members.
Recently, the conference plenary held several sessions at the Palau de Pedralbes in Barcelona, where they outlined the priority actions to be undertaken following this inaugural meeting. The 15 members of MCAP committed to sharing information on their respective regions' climate change adaptation strategies and working with research centers in each region to ensure they have the best data for decision-making.
Deepening Knowledge to Improve Management
Additionally, they have focused on consolidating shared information about best management practices. Over the next few months, various tools will be provided to members to facilitate effective approaches to common challenges, addressing both conservation status and best management practices. Members have also committed to producing a joint report soon to better understand how the dual climate and biodiversity crises impact the Mediterranean climate.
The agreements from this inaugural congress set short, medium, and long-term objectives. These goals aim to achieve initial outcomes at upcoming United Nations conferences (COPs), including COP 16 of the Convention on Biological Diversity (the world's premier biodiversity summit, slated for late October in Cali, Colombia) and COP 29 (the climate change summit, scheduled for November in Baku, Azerbaijan), as well as other global events.
Getting Up Close with Projects
Regions with Mediterranean climates, known for cool, wet winters and hot, dry summers, are particularly vulnerable to climate change. Higher temperatures and rising sea levels will exacerbate these impacts, leading to more frequent and severe droughts, wildfires, and extreme heat that challenge the resilience of communities and ecosystems.
To understand the impacts of this dual environmental crisis firsthand in our country, representatives from these regions visited various public and private projects in the Girona region this week. These initiatives focus on wildfire prevention and ecosystem service payments, reducing water consumption in viticulture, coastal resilience against flooding, natural system recovery, and entrepreneurial efforts in climate change adaptation. They also learned about solutions implemented in Barcelona to mitigate the urban heat island effect, such as green corridors and climate refuge networks.
