In the Júcar River Basin, local authorities are building resilient landscapes through local collaborations and climate action by promoting of Nature-based Solutions.
We spoke to Emilio Real, focal point of the Júcar River Basin Authority, to find out why the team joined SpongeWorks and what they expect to achieve.
What sparked Júcar River Basin’s Authority interest in Nature-based Solutions?
The growing impacts of intensive land use are becoming increasingly evident across the region, contributing to soil erosion, increased runoff, and sediment build-up in water bodies. This cycle threatens both environmental health and water infrastructure.
Meanwhile, farmers are grappling with seasonal water scarcity and a decline in soil water retention capacity, which together are reducing the resilience of cultivated land to extreme weather events like droughts and floods.
These challenges were brought into sharp focus by the devastating disasters of October 2024, highlighting the urgent need for sustainable land and water management practices.
Efforts are now underway to prevent similar catastrophes in the future, through a combination of nature-based solutions, improved land use practices, and community-based disaster risk reduction strategies. By addressing the root causes of degradation and water stress, these initiatives aim to build long-term resilience for both people and ecosystems.
Why did you want to join SpongeWorks?
A: The Júcar River Basin aspires to step into a leadership role in the implementation of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) in Spain, setting a powerful example for sustainable water and land management in the country and beyond.
Our work showcases effective, scalable solutions that boost soil and water retention, improve ecosystem resilience, and mitigate the impacts of climate change, especially against extreme flood events. A dedicated monitoring system allows us to track progress, adapt strategies, and ensure measurable outcomes over time.
Through detailed documentation of best practices, stakeholder engagement methods, and results, we are laying the groundwork to enhance replicability and inspire action in other vulnerable areas.