BEC Holds Its 4th Environmental Volunteering Day

Bilbao Exhibition Centre held its annual environmental volunteering action on June 30, this year focusing on the renaturalization project of the venue's surroundings promoted by the Barakaldo City Council, together with Ekologistak Martxan and with the collaboration of the University of the Basque Country (EHU). The day began with a talk on the scope and progress of the initiative, presented by Alba Delgado, councilor for Sustainable Development and Natural Environment of the Barakaldo City Council, who highlighted that BEC's renaturalization project is part of the Uraren Hiria city plan, which seeks to return nature to an urban and industrial environment, increasing biodiversity, reducing the heat island effect and creating green spaces that improve citizens' quality of life. For his part, Xabier Basañez, general director of BEC, reviewed the entity's progress in sustainability, recalling that the venue is part of the municipality's network of climate shelters and that its commitment has earned it the international Biosphere certificate, which accredits compliance with environmental, social and economic standards in the management of the venue and its events. The BEC team then took an outdoor tour to see the evolution of the work carried out to date and the three plots ceded by BEC under land stewardship; the initiative will continue in autumn with a second planting day. In line with Barakaldo's future Green Infrastructure Plan, the project envisages planting more than 4,000 native trees and shrubs that will promote CO2 fixation and reduce temperatures, air pollution and ambient noise.