IHCantabria and LANDLAB gave a workshop on adaptation measures highlighting the role of nature-based solutions (LIFE AdaptCalaMillor project)

On March 7, the third and last workshop planned within the framework of the LIFE AdaptCalaMillor project entitled “The role of nature-based solutions in a context of climate change in Cala Millor“ was held. This workshop, organized by the Directorate General of Circular Economy, Energy Transition and Climate Change of the Government of the Balearic Islands (DGECTEC) and the Coastal Observation and Forecasting System of the Balearic Islands (ICTS SOCIB), took place at the Hotel Hipotels Hipocampo Playa in Cala Millor, and was led by research staff from the Environmental Hydraulics Institute of the Universidad de Cantabria (IHCantabria) and LANDLAB, laboratorio de paisajes S.L.P.

The workshop was aimed at the project’s working group made up of various public and private entities with an interest in Cala Millor, such as the City Council of Son Servera, Sant Llorenç des Cardassar City Council, DGECTEC, General Directorates of Costs and Coastal and Water Resources, hotel associations, trade unions, members of the scientific community, etc. The objective of this workshop was to foster cross-sectoral collaboration and explore nature-based solutions (SbN) to strengthen the resilience of urban beaches.

During the workshop, representing IHCantabria, Verónica Cánovas made a brief summary of the risk analysis in Cala Millor, carried out by SOCIB, IMEDEA and UIB, in the second workshop, to answer the question “What about Cala Millor?”. He explained the procedure being carried out in the project, to answer the question “What can we do for Cala Millor?”, in the context of climate change. Miriam García (director of LANDLAB and assigned researcher at IHCantabria) focused her presentation on measures and strategies applicable in urban and coastal areas and, in particular, on the role of the SbN.

In addition to transmitting the problems of the site in the context of climate change, providing tools to support informed decision making by public administrations, the dynamic entitled “What solutions would you apply to Cala Millor?” was carried out, during which six working teams were formed for attendees to select climate change adaptation measures applicable to Cala Millor, under the leadership of several members of LANDLAB, IHCantabria and SOCIB.

Subsequently, each of the teams shared with the rest of the attendees what was discussed at their table and the adaptation measures selected in Cala Millor, showing the richness of the participation of multidisciplinary and multisectoral groups in making decisions about the future of Cala Millor, as they allow to understand the different points of view that may arise in the process of selecting measures and adaptation strategies and their subsequent implementation.