The Sustainability and Environment Councilor of the Andalusian Government, Catalina García, appeared before a parliamentary committee where she emphasized that Andalusia aligns with the ‘Clean Industry Pact’ proposed by the European Commission, an initiative aimed at promoting decarbonization of the industry in harmony with competitiveness and environmental sustainability.
Catalina García argued that all actions of her department are geared towards this goal: «They align with any approach that, with absolute respect for the protection of the natural environment, establishes a balance between socio-economic growth and environmental sustainability.» She underscored that «Andalusia has the regulatory tools to make it a reality.»
The Sustainability and Environment Minister also highlighted that «circularity, material reuse, clean technologies, and air quality improvement are all objectives that contribute to environmental enhancement and are essential components of this Pact that some try to stigmatize.»
In this regard, she noted that the Andalusian Government «immediately set to work to streamline procedures,» with four administrative simplification decrees already approved, and added that «we are carrying out three significant regulatory modifications such as the Andalusian Environmental Management Law, the Andalusian Forestry Law, and the Andalusian Environmental Agents Law.»
During her appearance, Catalina García also responded to a parliamentary question about the Environmental and Water Agency (AMAYA), clarifying that it has not taken on new responsibilities in sustainability and the environment, but has undergone a restructuring process due to the creation of the Andalusian Safety and Comprehensive Emergency Management Agency (ASEMA).
Catalina García indicated that this reorganization involved a review of the statutes, competencies, staff, and material resources of AMAYA. «As a result of this review, 414 out of the 418 actions included in the Agency’s 2022-2025 Management Program have been consolidated,» she explained.
She pointed out that «the firefighting and response to environmental emergencies functions that AMAYA was carrying out have been transferred to ASEMA.» The goal, she said, is to «clearly separate environmental management competencies from security and emergency competencies» to optimize public resources.
In this new scenario, AMAYA will focus on «water management, environmental conservation, and ecosystem restoration.» However, the minister emphasized that «AMAYA will continue to play an essential role in the conservation and restoration of our natural environment, as well as in the implementation of strategic environmental projects.» In light of the latter, she concluded by affirming that «otherwise, there will be no change in the relationship between the ministry and the Agency.»
Andalusia confirms the extinction of the wolf
Furthermore, during the parliamentary committee, Catalina García confirmed that the Directorate General of Forestry Policy and Biodiversity has officially declared the extinction of the Iberian wolf in Andalusia since 2015, following the procedures outlined in state and regional legal frameworks.
She mentioned that this declaration was formally communicated to the two mandatory public participation bodies: the Flora and Fauna Committee in May 2024, and the Andalusian Biodiversity Council in November of the same year. «The report concludes the following: ‘From 2015 onwards, there is no doubt that the wolf is completely extinct in the wild in Andalusia and across the Sierra Morena region,» she emphasized.