The Pyrenees region is confronting significant challenges posed by climate change, illustrated by the launch of two pivotal initiatives: HERMES and PYRENEES4CLIMA. Aimed at both adaptation and mitigation, these projects represent a collaborative effort to tackle the environmental shifts affecting this mountainous area through innovative strategies and transborder cooperation.
The HERMES project is designed to offer a comprehensive strategy focusing on natural risk adaptation and mitigation associated with climate change in the central Pyrenees. This initiative involves collaboration between various stakeholders, including the Government of Aragón, the Diputación de Huesca, and the Ayuntamiento de Canfranc, under the auspices of the AECT Pirineos-Pyrénées. The project’s primary objectives include enhancing the resilience of six key sectors against natural hazards like avalanches and landslides, thereby ensuring heightened security for both individuals and property in this vulnerable region. Specific activities within HERMES entail analyzing areas most affected by climate change, implementing pilot cases for risk mitigation, and fostering training and knowledge-sharing among the involved territories.
Financially speaking, the HERMES project is supported through a significant contribution from the European Union, which covers 65% of the funding via the Interreg VI-A Spain-France-Andorra (POCTEFA 2021-2027) program.
In a broader context, the PYRENEES4CLIMA initiative is spearheaded by the Comunidad de Trabajo de los Pirineos through the Observatorio Pirenaico del Cambio Climático (OPCC). With a robust budget of nearly 20 million euros—60% of which is also subsidized by European Union funds—this initiative aims to adapt the Pyrenees region to the challenges posed by global warming. Scheduled to run for eight years until 2030, PYRENEES4CLIMA encompasses seven territories, including Aragón, Cataluña, País Vasco, Navarra, Andorra, along with the French regions of Nueva Aquitania and Occitania.
The project comprises 33 pilot cases exploring various themes such as tourism, agriculture, livestock, and forest management. These cases will propose adaptation strategies to preserve the economic viability of activities in the Pyrenees while also working toward the formulation of a transborder climate change strategy known as the Estrategia Pirenaica de Cambio Climático (EPiCC). Involvement from diverse entities is noteworthy, including the Government of Aragón’s Department of Environment and Tourism, the Centro de Investigación y Tecnología Agroalimentaria de Aragón (CITA), and several CSIC organizations.
Both HERMES and PYRENEES4CLIMA prioritize transborder cooperation and emphasize the necessity of developing adaptive strategies to combat climate change. Their focus encompasses adapting the region through pilot initiatives, sharing experiences across involved territories, and mitigating climate change impacts by promoting sustainable practices and resilient economic models.
Local government and community engagement is crucial in these projects. An example of this is the «Pacto de las Alcaldías» initiative, which encourages municipalities to actively participate in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adopting collective strategies for climate change mitigation and adaptation.
The HERMES and PYRENEES4CLIMA projects exemplify significant undertakings aimed at addressing the urgent issue of climate change within the Pyrenees region. Through comprehensive strategies, substantial financial backing, and collaborative efforts, these initiatives strive to bolster the resilience of the area while ensuring sustainable development for its inhabitants.
