Improving air quality should be a priority in environmental policies
Earlier today, Guadalajara hosted a training seminar by the Naturgy Foundation at which various representatives from the central, regional and local government, as well as experts from the sector, examined local pollution, its effects on health and the measures in place to combat it.
In partnership with the Regional Government of Castilla-La Mancha, the Naturgy Foundation organised an event in Guadalajara this morning focused on energy and air quality. Experts in several fields from the government, health care services and universities shared their outlook on air pollution and the lines of research currently open in this regard, among other topics.
The event was opened by the Director-General for Industry, Energy and Employment at the Economic Affairs, Business and Employment Council of the Regional Government of Castilla-La Mancha, José Luis Cabezas, and the General Manager of the Naturgy Foundation, Martí Solà.
José Luis Cabezas thanked the Naturgy Foundation for its concern and involvement in improving air quality and therefore human health, and highlighted the commitment made by the Regional Government of Castilla-La Mancha to sustainability. The Director-General for Industry, Energy and Employment in the region explained that the regional government led by Emiliano García-Page “only sees advantages” in renewable energies, as reflected in the 119 renewable electricity generation projects undergoing administrative procedures in the region for a total power of more than 2,600 MW.
He also recalled that CO2 emissions must be reduced by 40% in Spain by 2030, and that renewable energy production should reach 32%. “In Castilla-La Mancha, we are making a huge effort to support and promote everything related to renewable energies, to reduce gas emissions and make energy savings,” he said. In this regard, he stressed that Castilla-La Mancha is the leading Spanish region in terms of installed photovoltaic energy, second in terms of solar thermal power, third in wind power and fourth in terms of renewable energies overall.
In turn, Martí Solà underlined the work that the Naturgy Foundation has been doing for months on raising awareness about the air quality problem. “We believe it is essential to encourage events such as this one with professionals in the sector, because they help us highlight the risks posed by air pollution for health and climate change. A figure from the World Health Organisation underlines this: only one in ten people live in a city that meets the guideline air quality parameters,” he said.
The Deputy Environment Councillor from the Agriculture, Environment and Rural Development Council of the Regional Government of Castilla-La Mancha, Agapito Portillo, closed the event.
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