Por Redaccion 
The Sustainability and Environment Councilor of the Andalusian Regional Government, Catalina García, participated in Antequera in the event of the ‘Delivery of Municipal Plans against Climate Change’ to mayors of Andalusian municipalities with less than 50,000 inhabitants. During the event, the councilor announced the launch of two new aid lines worth nearly 6 million euros, in addition to another one million euros already implemented, aimed at supporting Andalusian municipalities in their commitment to climate change. These aids complement the efforts that the Andalusian Regional Government has been making to provide municipalities with technical, financial, and governance tools to accompany them in the development, approval, and implementation of their Municipal Plans against Climate Change (PMCC).
Catalina García emphasized that «the fight against climate change requires the involvement of all administrations, and especially municipalities, because it is at the local level where the effects are felt and where many of the solutions must begin.» In this sense, she highlighted three aid orders: a first one already implemented, endowed with one million euros, aimed at carrying out adaptation actions within the Environmental Impulse Plan (PIMA) Climate Change framework; a second one in progress, with five million euros from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), which will allow municipalities to carry out specific projects against climate change; and a third one, also in the process of being processed, with 774,000 euros, focused on awareness actions against adverse climate events, such as heatwaves, within the PIMA Adverse Events Plan.
The councilor stated that «these aids will allow municipalities to develop innovative projects for climate change mitigation and adaptation, promote citizen awareness, and move towards more resilient and sustainable territories.»
The new aids come at a crucial time, as by 2025 it is expected that the 756 Andalusian municipalities with less than 50,000 inhabitants will approve their respective PMCC, a fundamental step within the framework established by the Andalusian Climate Change Law and the Andalusian Climate Action Plan (PAAC). This regional roadmap outlines climate action planning in Andalusia, articulating mitigation, adaptation, and communication measures, with a clear connection between the regional and local levels. Catalina García pointed out that «from the Council, we have wanted to support municipalities on this path, providing them with specific resources and useful tools so that they can comply with regulations and face the challenges posed by climate change with guarantees.»
Among the tools made available to municipalities are a local climate scenarios viewer, an application to calculate carbon footprint, methodological guides, and a comprehensive practical guide to climate financing. This last tool allows local governments to identify and access sources of funding that facilitate the implementation of their projects. «With these tools, we not only give them the what and the why, but also the how,» the councilor emphasized.
Action plan tailored to each municipality’s reality
The delivered Plans are an essential element of the process. Developed through a tender promoted by the Council, these Plans allow each municipality to have a document of diagnosis, objectives, and action plan tailored to its reality, which each locality must subsequently approve. With an investment exceeding 1.7 million euros, documents have been prepared for over 95% of Andalusian municipalities, representing half of the community’s population.
These Plans meet the requirements set out in Law 8/2018, of October 8, and include, among other contents, the inventory of greenhouse gas emissions, the identification of climate risks, mitigation and adaptation objectives, and an action plan with specific proposals. Once reviewed, these documents must be made public before their approval at the municipal council. «The delivery of these Plans is not a final point, it is the beginning of a new stage in local climate action,» Catalina García pointed out, highlighting the central role played by municipalities. «With their commitment, their daily work, and their knowledge of the territory, municipalities are protagonists in the fight against climate change,» she said.
The councilor recalled that the support from the Council is not limited to this delivery. Support and technical assistance will continue to be provided through the Andalusian Climate Change Office. In addition, municipalities will have the necessary support to review, approve, and implement their plans. In her speech, Catalina García emphasized the need to continue consolidating green budgeting as a public planning tool, highlighting that in 2023, over 1.176 billion euros were executed in policies with climate impact, representing 12.6% of the total programs containing recognized obligations and an effort equivalent to 2.62% of the Andalusian Regional Government’s budget.
Environmental impact of the event
Within the Andalusian Regional Government’s commitment to sustainability in all areas, the Department of Sustainability and Environment has initiated the measurement of the carbon footprint generated by the event held in Antequera. This measurement, managed by the Andalusian Climate Change Office, is being carried out with its resources and following the criteria set out in the official methodology for sustainable events promoted by the Andalusian Administration.
The evaluation includes factors such as the attendees’ travel, the energy consumption of the venue— in this case, the Royal Collegiate Church of Santa María la Mayor—, and the services provided by suppliers. According to the data collected until the eve of the event, a response rate close to 70% has been reached, allowing a margin of error of less than 6% to be calculated with a confidence level of 99%. This high participation reflects a growing awareness among attendees— including institutional representatives, municipal officials, and sector agents— of the need to reduce the environmental footprint of their activities. Catalina García emphasized that «this exercise of transparency and scientific rigor represents an example of how to move towards an exemplary administration that is consistent with the climate objectives it defends.»
The event was attended by the Mayor of Antequera, Manuel Jesús Barón, as well as a representation of mayors from the eight Andalusian provinces to whom the PMCC were delivered; the Deputy Councilor for Sustainability and Environment, Sergio Arjona; the Delegate of the Regional Government of Andalusia in Malaga, Patricia Navarro; the Secretary General of Environment and Climate Change, María López Sanchís; the Secretary General of the Andalusian Federation of Municipalities and Provinces, Yolanda Sáenz; the Director General of Environmental Sustainability and Circular Economy, Carmen Jiménez; the territorial delegates of the Department; as well as representatives from other institutions.
In the closing remarks, the councilor urged municipalities to complete the process by approving their PMCC, keeping them up to date, and being accountable through biennial reports. «From the Andalusian Regional Government, we will be by your side, as we have been until now, because this is a collective challenge that does not tolerate delays,» she concluded.