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level, it has helped establish cooperation with Latin America in
the fields of water availability and management.
Forest fires are another serious challenge. The long periods
of drought, high temperatures and a growing number of open
air activities are giving rise to a large number of fires. A proper
forestry policy, with legislation that takes into account the
current situation and promotes public awareness, would
present a simple but effective line of defence against this threat.
The preservation and improvement of biodiversity in natural
areas of Spain is also of special importance to the Ministry.
Conservation strategies are in place, the creation of new
national parks is planned, and a thorough review of the policy
for coastal area management is being implemented.
Another problem is the social, economic and environmental
effects of adverse atmospheric phenomena in Spain. Heavy
rainfall in the Mediterranean areas, heat waves, strong winds
and snowfalls often have direct consequences for our society.
Preparedness along with a fast and effective response are essen-
tial. Our Ministry makes a substantial contribution to attaining
this through the National Meteorology Institute. The institute
operates and maintains a modern warning and forecasting
system, which benefits from active coordination with other
European meteorological institutions.
When drawing up long-term policies and strategies, or adopt-
ing urgent measures, one of the key requirements for the
planning and management of weather services is the availabil-
ity of high-quality climatic, meteorological and hydrological
forecasts. The development of regionalized climatic scenarios is
essential for the adaptation and development of weather services
in the long term. Also, precise meteorological and, where appro-
priate, hydrological forecasts are a basic requirement for
activities in the short and medium term, and for facilitating fast
reactions to adverse weather events. The Spanish National
Meteorology Institute has extended its traditional tasks in order
to meet these challenges and to provide more substantial
support to environmental planning and management in general.
It is essential to maintain well-equipped, effective state meteo-
Preserving biodiversity is a high priority in environmental protection
activities in Spain. This is implemented through a wide network of
natural parks and protected spaces
Photo: Environment Ministry of Spain
Spain is one of the leading countries in the exploitation of renewable
energies, particularly wind energy
Photo: Environment Ministry of Spain
rological services – services that can provide reliable observa-
tions and basic climatological, forecasting and surveillance
products, in order to meet the needs of users in general, and of
an increasing number of economic and social activities.
Although great improvements have been made in the quality
and availability of such environmental information, further
progress is still necessary, along with a fresh multidisciplinary
approach. Through international collaboration, experts across
the world have been able to compile, share and refine their data
and research so that accurate, effective application is possible.
We have invested large amounts in international development,
notably through the Araucaria XXI programme and an agree-
ment with the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation
regarding the Azahar programme. We have also significantly
increased our contribution to United Nations Environment
Programme, for the purpose of fighting desertification in Africa,
improving access to drinking water in Latin America and train-
ing personnel in environmental tasks. Also, by bringing together
experts from different areas on a national level, we are able to
offer a greater quantity of information and produce more valu-
able conclusions. This enables swift, accurate short and medium
term responses. We have fostered the Sectoral Conference on
the Environment, and the Advisory Council on the
Environment, while intensifying media campaigns for envi-
ronmental awareness amongst both the general public and
professionals in all sectors of economic and social activity.
However, we need to continue working towards solving global
environmental problems. Useful solutions require better knowl-
edge of the atmospheric environment and its trends. Scientists
must develop a clearer understanding of the needs of users, and
an awareness of those who will be most affected by meteoro-
logical and climatic events. Conferences such as Secure and
Sustainable Living: Social and Economical Benefits of Weather,
climate and Water Services 2007 are of fundamental importance.
The guaranteed availability of accurate forecasting would enable
effective environmental management. Such an improvement
would enhance the living conditions for all humanity.