Benchmark Study 1

IPP 1st BENCHMARK REPORT
8.- Key development challenges for Comunidad Valenciana
The economy of the Comunidad Valenciana grows at a good rate; the region has lot of potential and
offers a very good quality of life. It attracts numerous people (not only as tourists, but also as new
residents) from all over Europe.
To foster economic development, the Region follows a very successful model that has constantly
produced major results in the recent years. It has the most advanced institutional structures of the four
partner regions, with a well-functioning and cooperating network of agencies in various fields. The
region has an innovative and competitive economy, backed by an advanced R&D infrastructure and an
array of such services, that encourage SMEs to look for new opportunities also beyond the boundaries
of the region. The protection of the environment and of the natural values, as well as the increasing of
the energy efficiency, through the use of renewable energy, are all crucial issues for the regional
government. In these sectors, important results are produced, as a matter of facts, the use of renewable
energy is constantly increasing and Valencia plays a leading role in the production of wind and solar
energy. The region has successfully tackled most of its past challenges; many of the solutions that have
been implemented can now be considered good practices, suitable for being adapted elsewhere.
The measures that have been delivered both to increase energy efficiency and to use renewable
sources of energy, have allowed the Comunidad Valenciana to become one of the leading regions in
Europe with regard to the use of renewable energy. As concerning the air quality of the region, the
results are very significative; the CO2 percetage emitted by Valencian Region is one of the lowest of the
EU (5,17 tCO2/inhabitant per year); it is significantly lower than the Spanish National average (7,91
tCO2/inhabitant year).
In spite of the promising signs and successes, though, Valencia certainly still has a number of
challenges that needs to be faced. With a steady increase of population and a developing economy,
sustainable transport is an area where further steps are needed.
Water is a valuable resource in the region; its quantity and availability used to change over the year; in
certain periods it only was available in very limited quantity, while in other periods it was excessive, and
created problems. This challenge has required a long-term, integrated solution and a sustainable
management in using this scarce resource and avoiding temporary water shortage in the region. Now
an effective regulation system has been implemented, and water management is constantly improving
thanks to the reuse of wastewater restoring water resources in wastewater treatment plants and water
transfers. Moreover, the region is developing important activities related to environmental restoration of
wetlands, reconditioning shorelines and habitats, and general water quality. Even though a lot has been
done and achieved, and the necessary solutions and facilities are now in an advanced phase of
development, this sector requires constant attention.
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