Policy Brief "Summary results of Almería case study"

The province of Almería is located in South-Eastern Spain. Almería is covered by dry land and hosts Europe´s only desert. Even though it is the driest region in Spain, the region has a well-developed agricultural sector. Almería province has the highest concentration of greenhouses in the world, producing over 3.5 million tons of fruits and vegetables a year. Horticultural activities, even if very profitable, create particularly high water demand, while extensive groundwater use further stresses the fragile hydrological system. This document presents the most relevant land-based adaptation and mitigation solutions (LAMS) for the province of Almería, with a focus on water management as the central issue of assessment. In Almería, water security should be supported by an expansion of alternative water sources, contributing to the reduction of groundwater extraction. These alternative sources are key for long-term agricultural resilience, though their production requires careful management of energy demand. This policy brief targets regional policymakers, local authorities, farmer cooperatives, and renewable energy developers.