The third vice-president and regional minister of Environment, Infrastructures and Territory, Vicente Martínez Mus, presented this initiative at the University of Alicante on International Earth Day. During his speech, he emphasized that «defending biodiversity means defending well-being, security, economy, and future», highlighting the need to strengthen environmental protection policies.
The regional official recalled the rich biodiversity of the Valencian Community, with over 20,000 registered species, including 338 vertebrate species and nearly 2,900 native flora species, many of them endemic and of great European relevance. This biodiversity constitutes an essential natural infrastructure for life and economic activity.
“"There cannot be healthy people in degraded environments, nor resilient societies if the natural systems that sustain life are weakened."
The Generalitat's strategy seeks to improve the conservation status of species and habitats, strengthen environmental governance, expand scientific knowledge, and foster citizen involvement in environmental protection. Martínez Mus stressed the importance of anticipating problems through policies of protection, restoration, and ecosystem connection, as well as strengthening green infrastructure.
He also warned that desertification is one of the main environmental challenges in the Community, especially in areas of southern Alicante. He highlighted that combating it involves protecting the soil, conserving vegetation cover, restoring ecosystems, and intelligently managing water. He concluded by calling for collaboration among administrations, universities, businesses, and citizens to build a more resilient Valencian Community.
