Barcelona, Spain

The natural beauty of Barcelona, nestled between the Mediterranean Sea and the Serra de Collserola mountain range, is a hallmark of the city. The city has 2,870 hectares of public green space, 41% of which is dedicated to urban green areas and the rest to the forests of the Parc Natural de la Serra de Collserola. 

The Barcelona Natura Plan 2030 defines the commitments of the municipal government and citizens to the conservation of greenery and biological diversity.

The Nature Plan’s general goals are as follows:

• To increase the city’s green infrastructure and thereby maximise its services.
• To conserve and promote biodiversity, protecting species and improving their habitats and connectivity.
• To deploy and consolidate ecological management and naturalisation in nature management.
• To develop knowledge, enjoyment and care of urban nature and to facilitate and promote citizen involvement in its conservation and improvement.

This commitment is reflected in projects such as the Plaça de les Glòries Park, the Marina del Prat Vermell Central Park, and others designed with sustainable solutions to adapt to climate change.

Barcelona faces major challenges, including climate change and urban density management. The city is pioneering a model that balances environmental sustainability with social well-being, ensuring a healthy and liveable urban environment for generations to come.

In addition, Barelona is commited to a future urban landscape with integrated functional and ecological green infrastructure that is fairly spread out across the urban fabric and accessible to all. Barcelona is committed to maximising social and environmental services, fostering biodiversity, adapting to the challenges of climate change, and ensuring the health of its floral, faunal, and human population. 

Barcelona has joined the UNP+ project to improve its urban nature plans and collaborate with other cities on transformative strategies. By positioning itself as a leader in urban nature policies, Barcelona aims to maximise social and environmental benefits through its Nature Plan 2030.

Nature Plan 2030: objectives and vision

The Barcelona Nature Plan 2030 envisions a city with extensive green infrastructure integrated into the urban fabric, improving public health, biodiversity conservation and climate adaptation. It emphasises citizen participation in nature conservation and promotes ecological management practices.

In addition, Barcelona has several key plans and initiatives that strengthen its renatured urban character:

• Barcelona Biodiversity Atlas: this map of Barcelona is divided up into 73 neighbourhoods. Users can search the city’s trees, green-space plants, birds, butterflies and vertebrate animals.
• Greenery and Biodivesity Charter: provides design guidelines related to the enhancement environmental services such as regulation, supply and support.
• Climate Emergency Action Plan for 2030: outlines how Barcelona will not only takes responsibility for its contribution to climate change.
• Master Plan for Barcelona’s Treees 2017-2037: strategy describes how the city will increase tree biomass by planting more trees and bushes and improving the quality of existing trees.

Interested in getting involved or staying informed? Contact Adrián Cabezas at adrian [dot] cabezas [at] bcnregional [dot] com (adrian[dot]cabezas[at]bcnregional[dot]com) to learn more about how you can contribute to Barcelona's green initiatives and help shape a sustainable urban future.