Inside the Spanish region leading the way on climate adaptation

illuminem summarises for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on Euronews or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: Biscay, the province surrounding Bilbao in northern Spain, is implementing a comprehensive, tech-enabled climate adaptation strategy
• From digital urban planning tools and tax incentives to decarbonised ports and climate shelters, the region is integrating resilience into its urban and industrial fabric
• Key initiatives include electrifying Bilbao Port, deploying predictive infrastructure platforms, and advancing nature-based and data-informed solutions through leading research institutions like Tecnalia

🔭 The context: With its mountainous geography and industrial past, Biscay is particularly vulnerable to heatwaves, flooding, and urban heat island effects
• Spain overall has experienced increasingly intense climate events, prompting regions like Biscay to shift from reactive to proactive adaptation
• Bilbao’s transformation began with urban regeneration in the late 20th century and has since expanded into a model of climate-integrated planning involving both public and private actors

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Biscay demonstrates how mid-sized cities and regions can lead on climate adaptation by blending advanced digital tools, environmental planning, and industrial cooperation
• Projects like Bilbao’s port electrification and Woza Labs’ predictive analytics platform illustrate how legacy industrial regions can pivot towards sustainable innovation
• The model also highlights the importance of pre-emptive climate planning—even in regions not yet facing acute impacts.

⏭️ What's next: Biscay’s authorities will continue scaling their adaptation measures with a focus on long-term infrastructure investment, green hydrogen production, and cross-sector partnerships
• The province’s dynamic digital mapping and climate-proofing methodologies are already drawing attention from municipalities across Spain
• With continued EU support and regional tax incentives, Biscay aims to position itself as a European leader in resilient urban and industrial ecosystems

💬 One quote: “If we go hand-in-hand together, we will move forward faster,” — Ainara Basurko Urkiri, Deputy of Economic Promotion, Bizkaia Government

📈 One stat: Bilbao now offers 131 climate shelters—air-conditioned buildings and green areas—for public use during heatwaves

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