On December 12, 2024, BIOAZUL, the Spanish partner of the CARDIMED project, participated in the Workshop on Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) held at the Botanical Garden of Málaga. The event, organized by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) with the support of the Department of Environmental Sustainability of the Málaga City Council, brought together key stakeholders to discuss the city’s ongoing efforts in urban re-naturalization through NbS initiatives.
The workshop, attended by approximately 40 participants, targeted staff from various departments of the Málaga City Council, including those working in Environment and Sustainability, Green Areas, and Urban Planning. The discussions focused on NbS interventions implemented in the city, particularly those promoted by the City Council, with the aim of enhancing Málaga’s climate resilience and environmental sustainability.
The workshop also provided a platform to showcase projects and initiatives that contribute to the development and implementation of nature-based solutions. Notable presentations included the work of IUCN Med and the SbN Cluster, as well as the EU-funded Circhive project, which focuses on recognizing, measuring, and reporting on the value of nature.
BIOAZUL CEO Antonia Lorenzo took the stage to introduce the CARDIMED project, its objectives, and its core pillars. The presentation highlighted several demonstration sites across Europe, focusing on those with high replication potential for cities like Málaga. These included the “Gardens of the Future” in Nicosia (Cyprus), which promote urban biodiversity, NbS Urban Resilience projects in Catania and Ferla (Italy) aimed at addressing climate risks, and the heatwave resilience model in Aragón (Spain).
Lorenzo emphasized the relevance of these demonstrations for Málaga’s ongoing sustainability efforts, particularly in addressing urban climate challenges such as extreme heat events and flood risk management. Her presentation sparked a discussion about potential future collaborations and the possibility of Málaga becoming a replication site for CARDIMED’s NbS interventions.
The workshop concluded with a call to action for cities to continue investing in nature-based solutions to address climate adaptation and urban resilience challenges. The discussions also underscored the importance of cross-border collaboration and knowledge-sharing to advance sustainability efforts across the Mediterranean region.
