The sustainable villages They are not recognised by most Spaniards due to their combined population of less than 1000. The 425 square kilometres of their land highlight the emptiness and rurality of Spain. The existence of these villages is crucial to addressing the ecological crisis and social challenges, such as the climate emergency and declining biodiversity.
In this article we are going to tell you which are the sustainable towns in Spain that contribute the least to climate change and are an example to follow.
Importance of sustainable towns
According to data from various NGOs, the rural They generate 34% less greenhouse gas emissions compared to urban areas. In addition, these areas can contribute up to 20 times more to the preservation of biodiversity.
Rural towns in Spain are vital to the fight against climate change, acting as carbon sinks, that is, they store large amounts of carbon that would otherwise be present in the atmosphere. In addition, they have a rich biodiversity linked to traditional agricultural practices, including everything from native races from livestock to adapted wild species.
The sustainable agriculture practiced in these villages is key. It focuses on traditional methods that minimize pollution and waste of resources, a differentiating feature compared to traditional agriculture. industrialized agriculture which prevails in certain areas.
Agroecology: A model for sustainable villages
Agroecology is an approach that many sustainable villages have adopted. It consists of applying ecological principles to agricultural production. In many municipalities, common spaces for the inhabitants to cultivate. This not only promotes sustainability, but also helps to rebuild the social fabric of the villages.
Carcaboso, for example, is considered by UNESCO to be one of the most sustainable towns in Spain. This town located in Cáceres has implemented agroecological gardens managed by the community. This is a formula through which the inhabitants can produce food in a 100% organic way for their own consumption.
The best sustainable towns in Spain
Canejan (Lleida)
Located in the Aran Valley, Canejan only uses 0,04% of its land for activities that generate greenhouse gases. In contrast, 99,9% is used for biodiversity conservation, with lush beech and fir forests. This municipality is a leading example among sustainable towns for helping to preserve mountain ecosystems.
Riocavado de la Sierra (Burgos)
With just 55 inhabitants, this village is surrounded by the stunning scenery of the Valdorcas River. Similar to Canejan, Riocavado de la Sierra dedicates 99,9% of its territory to conservation. In addition, its ancient agricultural methods contribute to the preservation of several native species of flora and fauna.
Valverde de los Arroyos (Guadalajara)
This town, known for its unique black architecture Thanks to the use of slate as the predominant material in construction, it dedicates almost all of its territory to environmental preservation. With only 93 inhabitants, it is one of the key drivers in the fight for sustainability in Castilla-La Mancha.
Navaescurial (Ávila)
This small town is home to exceptional biodiversity. Furthermore, its location in the Sierra de Villafranca gives it outstanding ecological importance. Like other towns mentioned, Navaescurial dedicates almost all of its territory to the preservation of its natural resources.
San Roque de Riomiera (Cantabria)
Among the top ten most sustainable municipalities is San Roque de Riomiera. This town of 345 inhabitants has a large amount of virgin land that acts as a carbon sink, making it a benchmark for sustainability in northern Spain.
Ecovillages in Spain: Sustainability in the Community
In addition to sustainable villages, in Spain there are examples of ecovillages which focus on self-sufficiency and respect for the environment. These ecovillages are intentional settlements designed to be as sustainable as possible in all areas of community life.
A prominent case is Matavenero (León), an ecovillage created by the Rainbow Family movement in the 90s. Its inhabitants are supplied with solar energy and practice permaculture, growing all their food organically.
Another community worth mentioning is Valdepiélagos (Madrid), where houses are designed to take advantage of solar energy and reduce energy costs. These villages not only generate less waste, but also encourage coexistence and cooperation among their members.
Droplet, in Ávila, is also an outstanding example of an ecological ecovillage. Recognized as a City of Science and Innovation, this municipality uses renewable energy intensively, with a strong commitment to organic farming and solar platforms.
Lastly, we cannot fail to mention El Hierro in the Canary Islands, an island that for decades has been investing in obtaining all its energy through wind and hydraulic systems. This ambitious project has allowed the island to obtain its electricity without resorting to non-renewable sources.
These examples show us that it is possible to live sustainably, minimise the ecological footprint and coexist respectfully with the natural environment. With the development of these projects in more towns and eco-villages, Spain is positioning itself as a benchmark in sustainability.
The preservation of biodiversity, the commitment to renewable energy and the recovery of traditional practices are some of the keys that these models of life teach us. Sustainable towns and ecovillages have much to contribute in the fight against the climate crisis.