Lleida -
Spain
Climate change impacts
From 1950 to 2013, Lleida experienced an increase in mean temperature of +0.22ºC/decade, an increase in summer temperatures of +0.34ºC/decade, and a decrease in summer precipitations of up to -5.4%/decade. It is expected that Lleida will experience an increase in mean temperature between +0.8ºC and +1,8 ºC (horizon 2050) as well as an increase in the probability of drought periods up to + 7,6%.
Main motivation for taking adaptation action
Lleida's main motivation for taking adaptation action is to increase resilience, improve quality of life, and reduce the vulnerability of the local population to the effects of climate change such us reduction of the availability of water, increase of the urban heat island phenomena, increasingly frequent episodes of heat waves, and the subsequent impacts on agricultural production in the area, etc.
Adaptation strategy
Have you already developed an adaptation strategy?
Yes, we have an adaptation strategy
Name of the strategy/ plan (If adopted)
Adaptation Plan for Climate Change of the Municipality of Lleida
Date of strategy/plan approval
27 Mar 2015
Weblink of the strategy/ plan
http://sostenibilitat.paeria.cat/
Weblinks to relevant plans/ studies
http://poumlleida.paeria.cat/documents/doc_tecnic/avan%C3%A7/01.MEMORIES/12.DMA/ISAP_Avan%C3%A7.pdf
Summary of the strategy/plan
Lleida is one of the regions of Catalonia with a particularly high vulnerability to the effects of climate change. Some key vulnerabilities include a reduction in the availability of water, and increase in the urban heat island phenomena and frequent heat waves, which are projected to impact agricultural production. Because of this, Lleida must act to become more resilient and prepared. Although the Local Administration has a very important role as an engine of this process, and awareness among the general population is slowly growing, there is a need to build a proper framework to encourage the implementation of the adaptation actions. Lleida's Adaptation Plan does this by laying out measures for saving water consumption in the domestic and agricultural sector of the municipality (e.g. development of protocols in periods of drought); adapting local crops to the new climatic conditions of the region; improving channels of communication to promote public awareness of episodes of extreme natural conditions; developing a program of rehabilitation for the adaptation of the buildings and urbanism to the extreme climatic conditions (i.e. heat waves, urban heat islands, inundations); and protecting and promoting local biodiversity and the control of invasive species.
Additional information on adaptation responses
In 2012 the Municipal Urban Management Plan of Lleida was approved, which guides the overall urban development and management but also contains a number of topics that are closely related to adaptation. The Plan addresses things like biodiversity, the protection of natural areas, landscaping, green infrastructure, and the area around the Segre River.
Planned adaptation actions
Lleida's planned/current adaptation responses include the development and improvement of protocols for awareness of extreme weather episodes; reducing water demand for the agriculture services, domestic and gardening sectors; increasing agriculture production by choosing areas best adapted to the new climate conditions; adapting the urban environment and buildings to new climate conditions to reduce the urban heat island phenomena; and protecting biodiversity and dealing with invasive species.
Good practice / spotlight item
Segre River Road
The River Road is a proposal for the recovery and management of the area along the Segre River as it passes through the municipality Lleida. The River Road is 17 kilometres in length and extends from Middle Park Wetlands to Rufea and Butsènit chapel, on the right bank of the river and to the Seròs channel on the left bank. A brief look at the Segre River and the surrounding area reveals its immense value as an ecological corridor connecting the flora, fauna and various local landscapes, which will become increasingly important in the face of a changing climate. Residents and tourists can walk or bike the entire length of the road, learning about local biodiversity along the way. More information can be found here.
- Urban
- Water management
- Tourism
An elevated portion of the River Road.
Climate change impacts
- Extreme Temperatures
- Droughts
- Water Scarcity
- Storms
Key vulnerable sectors
- Forestry
- Water Management
- Biodiversity
- Agriculture
Mayor
Àngel Ros i Domingo
Population
138,542
inhabitants
Contact person
Esther Fanlo / Elisenda Pardell
Responsible coordinator of Lleida's Environmental Department / Environmental Officer
Mayors Adapt signatory
Date of officially joining Mayors Adapt
03 Oct 2014
Covenant of Mayors 2020 signatory
