Quick news

Quick news

• According to the World Tourism Organization, "the tourism sector can assume a central role in the transformation towards a green economy" and boost investment in infrastructures environmentally responsibles. In the words of General Assistant Secretary and Spokesman of the WTO, "transportation, hotel and travel services are increasingly committed to the fight against climate change."

• Andalucia has 334 kilometres of protected shoreline and 80 hectares of protected sea, representing almost a third of the Andalusian coast, the second longest coastline of the peninsula.

• Google will soon launch an open source software, which will allow the user to keep a record in real time of the electricity consumption at home. With these data, the user could save energy and, thereby, assist in reducing the effects of climate change.

• The Doñana 21 Foundation promotes a pilot project to produce 100% organic rice cultivation on more than 20 hectares of land. The aim is to promote rice cultivation using organic methods that encourage harmonious co-existence with the natural inhabitants of this World Heritage and Biosphere Reserve Area.

• 15 Rural Development Groups from Andalusia, participants in the Geodiversity Cooperation Action, have sustainably developed 6 pilot geo-tourism itineraries to show visitors the geological wealth of Andalusia. The routes are called "A walk through Andalusia’s limestone formations", "The Guadix-Baza Basin", "Eastern Andalusia - Almería-Filabres Alhamilla", "The Alto Guadiato Valley", "The Alpujarras of Granada and Almería" and "A geological walk in Alfanevada".

• Air France and nine other major air companies, including KLM and the aircraft manufacturer Boeing, have signed a charter committing to future development and use of biofuels for their flights, which, besides respecting the environment, do not compete with the agricultural/food sector.

• The Cordoba-based company ArteOliva has launched a "gazpacho" (chilled soup) produced exclusively using organic ingredients, with no preservatives, colourings or flavour enhancing substances. This proposal for healthy eating implies a serious commitment to sustainable development and is produced with the classic ingredients for an Andalusian "gazpacho": fresh tomato, water, peppers, extra virgin olive oil, bread, wine vinegar, garlic and salt.

• You can discover some of the most beautiful areas of Andalusia on the "Vías Verdes" (green-ways), paths that follow old, reconditioned railway lines. There are several in Andalusia, perfectly adapted for walking, cycling or even horse riding: "Vía Verde de la Sierra", between Seville and Cádiz; "Vía Verde del Aceite", between Jaén and Córdoba; "Vía Verde del Guadiana" in the province of Huelva, etc.

• The province of Almería has 3 nature reserves (Cabo de Gata-Níjar, Sierra María-Los Vélez and Sierra Nevada), and already has 21 companies certified with the "Andalusia Nature Reserve" mark, a quality award that promotes sustainable development in these protected areas. These companies offer a total of 152 products and services, mainly aimed at the tourism sector.