The project is part of the Research and Innovation Actions in support of the implementation of the Horizon Europe Climate Change Adaptation Mission in which the Cabildo of Gran Canaria participates.
The Cabildo has received 150.825 euros to participate in this scientific initiative
The project has a consortium made up of more than 40 entities and numerous public entities associated with 13 case studies in different bioclimatic regions of Spain.
The Cabildo of Gran Canaria, through the Insular Energy Council, together with the Canarian company specialized in the management of the integral water cycle 'Canaragua' have been selected to participate in the Natalie project during the coming years. This scientific initiative has participated in the European HORIZON research program, the most prestigious in its category, and has achieved funding for 100% of its budget.
The main objective of the project, with a total budget of 15 million euros, is the use of nature-based solutions to improve the resilience to climate change of various European biogeographic regions.
Natalie will have a consortium made up of more than 40 entities including technology centers, universities, local, national and international associations, companies and numerous public entities associated with 13 case studies in different bioclimatic regions of Spain.
The technical coordinator of Economic Development, Energy Sovereignty, Climate and Knowledge of the Cabildo of Gran Canaria, Raúl García Brink, highlights that “this project is a magnificent example of public-private collaboration to fight against the effects of climate change. Resilience against climate change requires actions that involve all civil society aligned with the same objectives.”
In this context, the Aquatec Climate Change and Resilience Unit of the Agbar Group leads the work package on “Resilience assessment methodologies, models and tools” and, with the collaboration of different local partners in the Canary Islands, such as the company Canaragua, the Island Energy Council of Gran Canaria and the University of La Laguna, will study the implementation of multiple Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems to improve climate resilience in different locations of the archipelago.
In the case of the island of Gran Canaria, the funded proposal is the control of pollution in the discharges of the stormwater network to the Maspalomas ravine. The Special Natural Reserve of the Maspalomas Dunes is located on an alluvial fan and has, at the mouth of the ravine, a coastal wetland of high ecological value: the Charca de Maspalomas.
The current situation is that all the runoff water collected by urban drainage systems ends up feeding this wetland, and there are no adequate methods to reduce pollution, which is particularly high in the first autumn rains. The area, with intense tourist use, is classified as a Significant Potential Flood Risk Area.
The objective of the project is to collect and integrate into a GIS all the information on the stormwater network in the area, for subsequent modeling and assessment. In addition, a study and modeling of the groundwater of the Maspalomas plain will also be carried out, including improving knowledge about possible uses and qualities.
With the available information and the participation of different stakeholders, a project will be developed that includes several nature-based solutions, as a pilot, to control the pollution of runoff water before its arrival in the Maspalomas ravine. Likewise, the proposed sustainable urban drainage systems will be executed.
