The Marbella socialists present a motion to create a Municipal Renaturalisation Strategy and an Urban Tree Master Plan, aimed at mitigating the effects of global warming in the municipality.
The spokesperson for the Socialist Municipal Group in the Marbella City Council, Isabel Pérez, has announced the presentation of a motion at the next Plenary to promote a Municipal Renaturalisation Strategy and an Urban Tree Master Plan. The initiative seeks to adapt the city to the effects of climate change and protect the health of residents.
A reality that already affects the Mediterranean coast
Pérez has warned that the climate crisis “is no longer a future scenario, but a reality that particularly affects the Mediterranean coast.” In Marbella, heatwaves are becoming more frequent, droughts are prolonged, and extreme weather events are recurring, forcing a rethink of the city model.
“Marbella needs to prepare for the future. Urban trees can no longer be considered a mere ornamental element, but an essential infrastructure to protect health, reduce temperatures in our streets, and improve the quality of life for residents,” the socialist councillor stated.
The leader reminded that international bodies such as the World Health Organization and numerous scientific studies agree that increasing tree coverage in cities reduces the “heat island” effect, decreases mortality associated with high temperatures, and improves air quality.
Loss of mature trees in Marbella
Isabel Pérez lamented that in recent years the municipality has lost numerous mature trees as a result of actions taken in streets such as Notario Luis Oliver or Avenida del Trapiche, among others. “Every mature tree that disappears means losing decades of environmental benefits. This loss cannot be compensated by planting young specimens that will take many years to provide the same shade, absorb CO2, or reduce the temperature of our streets,” she asserted.
The socialist spokesperson explained that Marbella has characteristics that make action particularly urgent: a high urban density in many neighbourhoods, a growing population, and significant tourist pressure for much of the year. “Our main economic asset is also our environment. A greener city is a healthier, more attractive city to live in and visit, and better prepared to face the effects of climate change,” she highlighted.
A motion with concrete measures
The motion presented by the Socialist Municipal Group proposes the development of a Municipal Renaturalisation Strategy and an Urban Tree Master Plan with technical and scientific criteria that prioritise the conservation of mature trees, increase vegetation coverage, and create a network of climate refuges distributed throughout the municipality.
It also proposes incorporating green infrastructure into Marbella's urban planning, promoting green corridors, nature-based solutions, and securing regional, state, and European funds aimed at climate change adaptation.
“The cities that will lead the future will be those that understand that investing in trees, parks, and green spaces is investing in public health, sustainability, and quality of life. Marbella cannot fall behind and must bet on a more resilient, more liveable urban model that is better prepared for the climate challenges of the coming decades,” concluded Isabel Pérez.
The motion will be debated at the next Plenary of the Marbella City Council, where the PSOE hopes to gain the support of other groups to implement these measures that will directly affect the quality of life of Marbella residents.
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