The European project IMPETUS, focused on implementing solutions for climate change adaptation in Europe, is now entering its final stage with significant results in Catalonia that demonstrate the potential of technological and nature-based solutions to mitigate the effects of climate change in the Catalan coast.
The activities in the Catalan coast, which will conclude next December, involves the participation of Eurecat technology center, the Department of Territory, Housing and Ecological Transition of the Government of Catalonia, the Rovira i Virgili University, the University of Girona, and the company Lobelia Earth, as well as the international organization IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature).
“Methodologies and technological tools for the co-creation of climate change adaptation plans have been developed together with stakeholders from the sector,” explained the project’s technical coordinator, Josep Pijuan, Artificial Intelligence researcher at Eurecat. He also added that “pilot actions have been carried out along the Catalan coast and in the Ebro Delta to manage and reduce coastal erosion, improve water resource management during droughts or extreme events, and increase the resilience of natural and urban ecosystems.”
The coast, a priority front
As part of the project, the conference “From Knowledge to Action: Climate Adaptation of the Catalan Coast” was held in Barcelona this November, bringing together key stakeholders to discuss strategies to strengthen the resilience of Catalonia against the impacts of climate change.
The Secretary General of Territory, Housing and Ecological Transition, Jordi Terrades, emphasized that “the Catalan coast is a priority front in the face of climate emergency, given that it concentrates a large population, economic activity, and valuable ecosystems,” and that its future “will not only depend on how much the sea level rises, but on how we plan and act today.” According to Terrades, “the climate policy of the future must take into account and value what nature offers us,” something that needs to be considered. “Through knowledge, government action, and commitment, we will ensure that the Catalan coast remains a space of life, balance, and opportunity in the face of climate emergency,” he stated.
Hybrid systems for water reuse and sediment management
IMPETUS has implemented a hybrid greywater treatment system at a tourist camping complex on the Costa Daurada (Tarragona province), combining conventional and nature-based technologies to reuse water for irrigation and cleaning within the same facilities. The results show that these systems helped reduce potable water consumption and, consequently, the environmental footprint, making them a viable alternative for areas with high seasonal tourism.
According to Queralt Plana, researcher at Eurecat’s Water, Air and Soil Unit, “water reuse is becoming increasingly essential as scarcity grows into a threat as a consequence of climate change. Our approach focuses on circular economy-based solutions to produce reclaimed water for non-potable uses, ensuring environmental protection through effective wastewater treatment”.
In addition, the project has developed computational models for sediment transport in the irrigation channels of the Ebro Delta, with the aim of reconnecting natural sediment flows and protecting the most vulnerable coastal areas from rising sea levels.
Multifunctional wetlands
In the Ebro Delta, the project has also designed and tested a multifunctional artificial wetland aimed at treating agricultural wastewater from rice field overflow. The system combines active filtration layers and aquatic vegetation to remove nutrients, metals, and pesticides.
This experience has shown that “artificial wetlands can serve as decentralised and sustainable solutions to improve water quality before its return to the environment and its reuse for other agricultural purposes, while also contributing to carbon capture, biodiversity improvement, and the protection of the coastline,” stated Carles Ibáñez, director of the Center for Climate Resilience coordinated by Eurecat.
Innovative coast preservation and coastal management
Along the Catalan coast, IMPETUS has monitored dune restoration projects in the municipalities of Sant Pere Pescador (Alt Empordà) and Calafell (Baix Penedès) to reduce erosion and strengthen the natural protection of the coastline against rising sea levels and marine storms. These actions have incorporated ecological restoration and adaptative management techniques, such as the installation of windbreaks to promote sand accumulation and the study of species unique to dune environments. Follow-up studies indicate a significant improvement in both sand volume and the biodiversity of these ecosystems.
In Calafell, the intervention included the partial removal of a seafront promenade to allow for more natural coastal dynamics, a pioneering example of urban adaptation to climate change in the Mediterranean.
In addition, IMPETUS has validated a coastal monitoring system based on remote sensing that enables the observation and analysis of coastal evolution.
Finally, to raise awareness of the importance of the beach-dune system, a co-created methodology for resilient tourism has been developed to engage with the tourism sector and promote new, more sustainable strategies.
New technologies serving the territory
Within the framework of the project, an innovative digital platform has also been developed to collect relevant data that supports informed decision-making. It integrates digital demonstrators showcasing all types of adaptation solutions. This platform centralizes and organizes crucial information and includes an artificial intelligence assistant that enables users to interact intuitively, learn, and gain a deeper understanding of climate change-related topics.
Moreover, the assistant is built upon the results obtained throughout the project, ensuring that the recommendations and analyses provided are grounded in up-to-date data and evidence.
Towards an integrated management of the coastline and water resources
The initiatives developed in Catalonia have been carried out in collaboration with local and regional stakeholders, including public administrations, companies, and research centers, to test transferable solutions that can be applied in other Mediterranean areas.
The results obtained support the Government of Catalonia’s objectives in climate adaptation and the sustainable management of the coastline and water resources.
The IMPETUS project, funded by the European Horizon 2020 program and coordinated by Eurecat, brings together 32 partners from seven European biogeographical regions. Its mission is to accelerate climate change adaptation through innovative and nature-based solutions, combining scientific research, technology, and citizen participation.
