Adapting to Climate Change: A Look at Biscay's Urban, Tech, and Seaport Transformations
Bilbao Leads Europe in Climate Change Adaptation
Bilbao, Spain, is making significant strides in the fight against climate change, positioning itself as a European leader in climate adaptation. The city's innovative use of advanced technologies is helping it anticipate and mitigate the impacts of climate change, particularly extreme heat and flooding.
At the heart of Bilbao's climate change response is Tecnalia, the largest applied research center in Spain, based in the city. Tecnalia's analysis feeds into mid- to long-term planning for authorities, helping them see where investment is most needed and impactful. The centre is using digital twins, or virtual replicas of cities, to test the efficacy of nature-based solutions and to see which tree species will grow fastest under climate change. They are also mapping the city's sewage system and road network to plan for potential flooding.
Patricia Molina, who oversees the City, Territory and Environment pillar at Tecnalia, uses technology to map cities in detail, including information about apartment blocks and their amenities, to identify areas where residents are most vulnerable during extreme heat. Efren Feliu Torres, head of the climate change adaptation program at Tecnalia, explains that climate proofing is a crucial concept in their modeling, meaning taking into account the fact that the climate is dynamic and will alter the outcome of adaptation measures.
In urban regeneration, Bilbao is involved in pioneering soil decontamination projects, using innovative technologies to restore polluted sites. This supports broader climate resilience and urban sustainability goals.
The city's Energy, Climate and Urban Transition unit is another key player in Bilbao's climate change response. They are integrating cutting-edge technology to anticipate and mitigate climate impacts. For example, they create virtual replicas of the city to test how different tree species perform under climate change and plan nature-based solutions accordingly.
Bilbao's port, a key economic and logistical hub, is undergoing electrification and digital innovation to make operations more resilient and sustainable under climate change stressors. The port leadership actively pursues data-driven strategies and global partnerships to improve environmental performance and operational efficiency.
Bilbao is also home to the B Accelerator Tower (BAT), a public-private center for entrepreneurship. The BAT includes corporate powerhouses like Iberdrola and Triodos Bank, Basque region's main institutions, and dozens of start-ups. Global consulting firm PwC operates as a 'matchmaker' at BAT, making 600 matches between entities big and small.
One such start-up is Woza Labs, which is developing deep-tech foundations to solve climate and sustainability challenges. Woza Labs has partnered with Iberdrola to smarten its grid management, identifying power lines at risk and planning new ones for resilience. They also integrate disparate datasets into one predictive platform to help entities work in a more volatile climate. Sebastián Priolo, CEO and co-founder of Woza Labs, states that companies and governments are not ready for measuring climate change.
The Bizkaian government has created a supportive environment for start-ups, with incentives for innovation and decarbonisation. The corporate tax deduction for investments in clean technologies has recently been increased to 35 per cent in the Provincial Council of Bizkaia. Ainara Basurko Urkiri, deputy of economic promotion in the Bizkaia Government, emphasizes the need for public and private partnerships for innovation.
As the city battles a current heatwave with temperatures reaching 25°C at 9pm, Bilbao has set up 131 climate shelters, which are air-conditioned buildings and green spaces, to help residents and visitors stay cool. Bilbao Port is also aiming to make green electricity the cheap option and raise ambitions around Europe in the chicken and egg game of working with shipping companies.
These efforts—advanced urban planning with tech-enabled scenario modeling, integration of nature-based solutions, strategic electrification of key infrastructure, and environmental remediation—position Bilbao as a European leader in climate adaptation.
- Tecnalia, Bilbao's leading applied research center, uses digital twins to test the efficacy of nature-based solutions and identify which tree species will grow fastest under climate change.
- Patricia Molina, overseeing the City, Territory and Environment pillar at Tecnalia, uses technology to map cities in detail, including information about apartment blocks and their amenities, to identify areas where residents are most vulnerable during extreme heat.
- Bilbao's Energy, Climate and Urban Transition unit is integrating cutting-edge technology to anticipate and mitigate climate impacts, creating virtual replicas of the city to test how different tree species perform under climate change and plan nature-based solutions accordingly.
- Woza Labs, a start-up based in Bilbao, has partnered with Iberdrola to smarten its grid management, identifying power lines at risk and planning new ones for resilience.
- The Bizkaian government offers incentives for innovation and decarbonisation, with a corporate tax deduction for investments in clean technologies recently increased to 35 per cent in the Provincial Council of Bizkaia.
- Bilbao Port is undergoing electrification and digital innovation to make operations more resilient and sustainable under climate change stressors, also aiming to make green electricity the cheap option.
- The B Accelerator Tower (BAT) in Bilbao houses corporate powerhouses and start-ups, fostering partnerships to solve climate and sustainability challenges, such as smartening grid management and integrating disparate datasets into one predictive platform.
- Bilbao's climate change response includes actions like urban regeneration, pioneering soil decontamination projects, and setting up climate shelters during heatwaves, positioning itself as a European leader in climate adaptation and sustainable living.
