Nature and sustainability

The total surface area of natural spaces that have some form of protection in Spain spans across more than 30 million hectares. This means almost a third of the terrestrial space and some 12 percent of the marine surface areas are protected. Apart from developing various initiatives and tools for protecting its ecosystems at national level, Spain also participates in the principal international environmental protection programmes and agreements (Ramsar, Red Natura 2000, ZEPIM, OSPAR, MAB, etc.). Within the UNESCO programme, for example, Spain stands out for its 53 spaces that have been declared Biosphere Reserves, its 15 geoparks and its four national parks listed as World Heritage sites (Doñana, Teide, Garajonay and Monte Perdido). Also for the number of Starlight Reserves, with 15 spaces certified for the quality of their night skies for stargazing. There are thirty natural spaces in Spain certified with the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism (ECST) and several destinations included in the EDEN Network (European Destinations of Excellence), a European Commission initiative to promote sustainable tourism. Without forgetting that for decades Spain has been the leading country in terms of Blue Flag beaches.

Spain is one of the richest countries in terms of biodiversity in the world and there are multiple options for learning about it in a responsible way. Its strategic location between two continents, its different climates, the variety of the relief and geography of its territory, with almost 8,000 kilometres of coasts and two archipelagos, explain this to a large extent. Spain’s wildlife includes species typical of Europe, the Mediterranean, Africa and the alpine regions, as well as numerous endemic species on the islands and mountain regions. In total, it is estimated that there are around 70,000 animal species. The wolf, brown bear, mountain cat, Iberian lynx, deer or wild boar are just some of the most iconic mammals. There are also numerous species of birds of prey, such as the imperial eagle, the bearded vulture, the black vulture, the peregrine falcon, the eagle owl and the goshawk. Spain is also an important stopping-off point for flocks of migratory birds on their journey to and from Europe and Africa. Did you know that Spain is one of the best places for birdwatching? And that the Canary Islands are the region in Spain with the highest number of endemic species? Without a doubt, Spanish biodiversity is extraordinary, although there are around 76 species in danger of extinction, including the Iberian lynx, the brown bear and the imperial eagle. 

Spain is a country with a growing level of awareness towards environmental protection. The concern for searching for a sustainable development model, which is compatible with its economic activity and rational use of resources with environmental conservation, materialised into the Strategic Sustainable Development Strategy for Spain, approved in 2007. Spain also maintains an active attitude towards global environmental protection, subscribing to numerous agreements for the global protection of nature and protocols to combat climate change and pollution. In this regard, a noteworthy aspect is Spain’s commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development approved by the UN in 2015, which incorporates aspects directly related with the conservation of ecosystems and biodiversity, reducing pollution, defending the environment and the fight against climate change.

Visitors in the Aigüestortes National Park, Lérida © María José Carbonell. Archivo Parque Nacional de Aigüestortes