The report points to urgent measures that need to be adopted. One is a reduction in the number of visitors on account of the high volume of emissions being generated as well as the consumption of resources and energy.
The report has been sent to the Balearic parliament and is available to all parliamentary groups. It stresses the need to rationally address the climate emergency. This implies "profound cultural change and change to the productive and consumption model", which in turn requires the development of productive sectors not linked to tourism activity.
As to these other sectors, the report cites, among others, agriculture, sustainable management of natural resources, manufacturing linked to the recovery and reuse of materials, research and innovation.
There is some criticism of the government's commitment to green hydrogen, arguing that electrification of transport and the use of renewable energy for homes would appear to be "a more successful response than the deployment of hydrogen".
"We are concerned about the role that is being given to the use of hydrogen as an energy vector on the islands." Certain uses of hydrogen may not be as efficient as other energy sources, and so there is concern that public resources are not being used in an efficient way. "This would go against the climate change law itself."
The report also expresses concern about large energy consumers in the Balearics, such as ports and airports, remaining outside the application of the law. Great efforts being made by businesses and by the public could be nullified by emissions from ports and airports, "if we do not begin to reduce their emissions substantially".
Emissions from road transport need to be addressed urgently through boosting the public transport network, limiting the use of combustion vehicles and private vehicles and reserving spaces in urban areas for journeys on foot, by bicycle or by personal mobility vehicles.
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I have just read this article again. Green hydrogen is a promising combustion engine fuel JCB and Cummins have proving trials. fuel cell Electric applications on vehicles and renewable energy storage option , in preference to batteries. Majorca has ample scope for solar and even wind electricity generation. Tidal not so much, it’s in the Mediterranean after all. The issue with green hydrogen production is water. The purer the better. Pretreatment is needed on industrial scale electrolysis and membrane usage. The total desolved solids need to be low. In feed water. Desalination is costly and Majorca is not blessed with significant fresh water storage. Hydrogen will have a use. But local production will be expensive . Maybe the questions on it’s suitability for the island is justified. But it will be needed in the solution mix.
We’ll it’s nice to see some honesty about the effects of carbon neutral Two things are certain The consumption model will be not as now. The cost of this change will be considerable.. The move to high value tourism will mean less employment in that sector. The alternative business probably fintec sector.needs higher level skills and education. And high value services the same. I have met many youngsters in their 20s native’s of the island.and wanting to stay there Educated and sharp as pins Working below their potential. This may be the catalyst to move Majorca away from mass tourism to a mixed economy. And a wealthier more equal wealth distribution. Political will needs to be stronger than the excess restrictions or disaster awaits.
'This implies "profound cultural change and change to the productive and consumption model", which in turn requires the development of productive sectors not linked to tourism activity.' Well it would help if the government didn't make it so damn expensive to set up a business/to be self employed. Instead of charging the self employed 300€ a month social security payments regardless of what they earn, just make it a percentage of your earnings, the same as income tax. The PP were even worse for this when they were in power.