Of Aena and the Generalitat de Catalunya, they confirm that the Expansion of El Prat Airport is a ‘green’ and sustainable solution. But ecologists are not even at the moment, because they fear that the Delta Del Lloobregat ultimately pays the consequences of these types of actions again.
It cannot be ignored that when the previous expansion work was carried out on the same track, many things were promised, so that that Admit the environmental authorizations and so far all these promises have fallen in ‘broken bag’.
That is why they have already warned from Brussels that before we talk about a new extension, we have to give bills of the criminal file that has been on Spain for this issue since 20121. On the other hand, environmental activists have made it clear that they will resist each project firmly Can be seen eco -friendly, but in reality it is a simple ‘green’ expansion and can influence the Delta.
An expansion in ‘Plan’ Eco -positive
The new proposal to expand the Josep Tarradellas Airport presented by Aena and the Generalitat of Catalonia, Presents as a modern and sustainable project to restore the operational capacity of 90 operations per hourReach climate neutrality in 2030 and stimulate a green ring around the airport.
However, environmental activists believe that the project will continue to drag the same structural contradictions that already have a Strong social and environment – In 2021 and who directly affect the Delta del Lloobregat.
‘ disguises environmental excise, which is actually a classic expansion”, Warns Cristina Sánchez, representative of SEO/Birdlife in Catalonia. “We are talking about an increase in air traffic, more pressure on protected natural spaces and artificial environmental management that arrives late and the demolition of the Delta.”
Moreover, they show that the government has not yet made public how it will meet the environmental requirements derived from the Open infringement procedure by the European Commission For not protecting the Delta del Llobregat.
Environmental promises that have very little credibility
The official proposal states that “airport improvement cannot dissociate itself from the environmental improvement of the Delta” and proposes various compensatory measures: the reconfiguration of the lagoon of the Ricard, the acquisition and Land recovery for a green ring, an extensive water management planthe strengthening of the consortium of Delta And to a ratio 1:10 of compensation for spaces of the Natura 2000 network that is influenced.
All this must be channeled through a specific environmental fund. In any case, Compensatory measures cannot be a consideration of every type of project. Moreover, the formulation and implementation of it includes an earlier acceptance by the European Commission.
According to the organization, these types of measures seem interesting in theory. The problem is that they arrive as a currency to justify an impact that is not allowed, and on many occasions These compensations are announced, but they are not executed, or they are late and bad.
We remember that legal environmental obligations have already been violated in the Delta van de Llobregat: Since 2002, shortages have been dragged in the management of the ZepaAnd since 2021 there has been an open violation of the European Commission. According to the entity, these infringements must be resolved before a new project is collected.
It can’t be done Build sustainability on the basis of irresponsibility. He Delta It suffers a structural relegation. Every proposal must be in line with restoration and protection, not about the transformation or growth of air traffic, the organization regards.
It is clear that the Delta is deteriorating
SEO/Birdlife and Depana, a local entity demanding the European Commission of the project conditions, offer alarming data: analyzing the counts of winter water birds between 1990 and 2023, The population of water birds Wintering in the Delta More than 70 % has been reduced Between 2002 and 2023. This descent coincides with the earlier expansion of the airport and with the progressive increase in urban infrastructure and use.
‘It is a manual case of what should not be done: Transform a unique natural space and then try to compensate for reactive measures. We are losing an irreplaceable ecological heritage, “Cristina Sánchez is Klaart.
Neither sustainable nor pro -cabbage -poor
Promoters defend that Project will be tailored to the objective “Net Zero 2030” of Aena and with European carbon armoring policy. For us, however, this statement is contradictory. Increasing operational capacity and promoting intercontinental flights necessarily implies more air traffic and therefore more greenhouse gas emissions.
The NGO is of the opinion that it cannot be said that we want a climate airport while we plan more flights. It is an untenable contradiction, being the Aviation one of the sectors with the most environmental impact And its growth must be subject to a reduction strategy, not for expansion.
The entity also requires the alleged environmental ambition of the project, which includes an environmental background of the airport and the aim of creating an international airport in sustainability. In that sense they consider this Measures are insufficiently as long as structural maintenance problems in the delta are not resolved.
Another novelty of the project is the Strengthening the airports of Girona and Reus, with rail connections with Barcelona. NGOs warn that this initiative, more than a decongestion measure, is part of a global expansion strategy of the Catalan airport system.
“It is not an alternative to the extension, but an extension of the model. It is presented but does not compensate for the global effects of the proposed model“Says Sánchez.
4 Very clear requirements
The entity launches a clear call for administrations:
- Put the extension project, especially all performance on the Ricarda or Remolar, spaces of great diversity included in the Natura 2000 network.
- Follow the pending legal obligations in retention of cases that the European violation procedure entails.
- Promote an extensive management plan of the Delta, With real priority restoration and protection actions.
- Reformulate the airport model, prioritize effective low -carbon and respect for biodiversity.
They claim they are They need solutions that are designed from ecological resiliencenot of immediate profitability. He Delta Del Lloobregat is a unique space on a European scale. Protecting it is not an option, it is an obligation.
Mobilization against this proposal
For all this and more, Neroport Convene a press conference Thursday 12, at 11 am, in Lafede.cat – Organizations for Justice Global (Tàpies, 1-3; Ciutat Vella, Barcelona)In which date of the Mobilization against this proposal. In the press conference there are the voices of environmental entities, movements for housing, scientific community, affected people from Delta and the Zeroport platform.