SEAT Restoration Project: Ebro Delta
As part of the Volkswagen Group, SEAT is committed to sustainability and looking after the planet. Launching a project to restore and preserve the biodiversity of the Ebro Delta, as part of their commitment, the brand plans to alleviate the effects caused by the storm ‘Gloria’ at the beginning of 2020. The project aims to restore the most heavily affected areas of the most important wetland in the western Mediterranean, in collaboration with the NGO SEO/BirdLife and an investment of 1 million euros.
A year ago, the storm devasted the Ebro Delta, causing significant environmental impact. Not only did the after affects impact 360 species of birds, it also impacts the biodiversity. As a result, SEAT and the Volkswagen group have launched a restoration project to help to improve the conservation status of the natural coastal habitats and activate prevention projects to secure the areas and prepare them for future extreme weather events. The rehabilitation of the area will also help to create green jobs and safeguard local economies in the area.
“The storm ‘Gloria’ has shown that the effects of climate change are a reality, so is the time to act. At SEAT we have already reduced our environmental impact from production by 43% and we aim to achieve a zero footprint by 2050. Protecting biodiversity and recovering the ecosystem of the Ebro Delta is an additional step in our commitment to the environment, but also a sign of our responsibility to society and the environment in which we operate”.
Edgar Costa, head of Sustainability at SEAT
“The Volkswagen Group wants to promote biodiversity, save CO2 and protect our natural resources. For this reason, we support ecological projects all over Europe. The project in the Ebro Delta is particularly impressive. First because of the breathtaking beauty of this unique European landscape. Secondly, because of the high level of expertise and passion with which SEO/BirdLife works on site.”
Ralf Pfitzner, Head of Sustainability at the Volkswagen Group
“Climate change and the loss of biodiversity are an existential threat to humanity. Our health, our economy and the future of the next generations are at stake. Restoring the Ebro Delta’s sound ecological status, the most important wetland in the western Mediterranean, will contribute to the recovery of the ecosystem services of the Natura 2000 Network, valued at 200-300 billion euros/year. In the case of the Delta, these services represent a large source of food resources (rice, fish and bivalves), protection against storms by preventing marine encroachment and flooding, mitigation of climate change - as an important carbon sink - and an important tourist resource, among others. Restoring this wetland of international importance, with one of the largest private investments ever made in the Ebro Delta, will not only reduce potential future losses in the food, insurance, and tourism sectors, but will also generate high-quality green jobs for the inhabitants of the area and greater stability in their local economies after the storm Gloria.”
SEO/BirdLife Executive Director Asunción Ruiz
As the most important river delta formation in the western Mediterranean, the Ebro Delta has an area of 33,000 hectares at the mouth of the river Ebro, with 80% of it devoted to agriculture and urbanisation, with rice being the main crop. Several species of waterfowl and shorebirds use the delta to nest, as a stop-off point on their migratory journeys or to spend the winter.
The Paris Agreement sets out objectives for environmental projects, which SEAT is committed to. In the last ten years, SEAT has reduced its environmental production footprint by 43% and aims to achieve a zero carbon footprint by 2050.
To find out more about SEAT’s environmental projects and sustainability goals, contact your local Caffyns SEAT today.