Unmatched Expertise in Navigating Environmental Law
Services
Legal Audits and Due Diligence
Comprehensive assessment of your projects for environmental law compliance, including GIS-based spatial modeling to identify potential legal risks.
Policy Analysis and Recommendations
A deep dive into existing laws and regulations to provide a customized set of policy adaptations, including risk-informed urban planning solutions.
Pilot Project Consulting
Want to see how a policy change would actually impact the ground? Our ties with research and governance bodies enable us to implement pilot projects that can provide empirical evidence for your strategies.
Conservation Easements and Agreements
Leverage our expertise to enact legal strategies that ensure long-term conservation of lands, habitats, and natural resources. We can help negotiate, draft, and implement conservation easements and agreements.
Environmental Impact Assessments
Technical and legal assistance in the thorough assessment and analysis of the significant impacts that specific projects may have on the environment, aimed at identifying enhancements, alternatives, and mitigation measures before the project’s approval.
Strategic Environmental Assessments
Systematic processes that evaluate the significant environmental effects and alternatives of policies, plans and programs, including public consultation and informed decision-making per Law 21/2013.
Case Studies
Central Hidroeléctrica de Bombeo Chira – Soria
This project was conducted by Jessica Bernal while she was at Tragsatec, a public company working directly for the Spanish Ministry. Although not a Hub-Terra project, the experience and approach Jessica brought to this undertaking exemplify the depth of expertise she now contributes to our team.
The Central Hidroeléctrica de Bombeo Chira – Soria project involved developing a large-scale hydroelectric plant on the island of Gran Canaria. The initiative aimed to meet the island’s growing energy needs but was met with considerable public opposition due to its potential environmental impact. The project included complex components like desalination plants, pumping stations, and high-voltage electrical lines, all of which had to be strategically placed to minimize environmental harm. A significant challenge was deciding the location of two pumping stations, initially planned across a partly protected ravine. Intensive data gathering, geospatial analyses, and in situ verifications were conducted to weigh factors such as air and water quality, noise pollution, and the impact on local ecosystems. Key stakeholders, including governmental agencies and community members, were consulted to form a balanced perspective on the project’s merits and drawbacks.
After extensive analysis and stakeholder consultation, alternative technologies and infrastructure placements within a limited area were proposed. This enabled the project to proceed with minimized environmental impact while meeting its technical and economic objectives. The process underscored the importance of open dialogue among stakeholders and demonstrated that environmental sustainability and economic progress are not mutually exclusive.
While this specific case study was carried out prior to Hub-Terra, it stands as a testament to the high level of expertise and nuanced understanding of environmental law that Jessica brings to the table. Her experience in projects of this scale enriches our collective ability to provide comprehensive geospatial solutions for conservation, land management, and natural resource planning.
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(Credits: Image by Jose Mesa, licensed under CC-BY 2.0)
Holistic Environmental Evaluations for Hydrological Risks in Municipalities of Málaga
The Mediterranean region of Málaga faces escalating hydrological risks, particularly floods and soil erosion. Our study evaluates risk management in fourteen municipalities, utilizing legal frameworks, GIS-based assessments, and policy analysis.
We adopted a methodological approach that factors in flood-prone areas and soil erosion rates, relying on data from official sources like REDIAM and the National Soil Erosion Inventory. The data were then processed and normalized using QGIS 3.10 for municipality-wise comparison.
Our evaluation revealed significant deficiencies in hydrological risk management. Specifically, 10 of 14 municipalities performed poorly, while 3 showed insufficient compatibility and only one was moderately compatible.
The study identifies four key issues:
1. Misalignment with existing hydrological legislation.
2. Limited community regulation and policies regarding natural risks.
3. Absence of local strategies for Disaster Risk Reduction following the Sendai Framework.
4. Lack of comprehensive, long-term solutions, focusing instead on structural measures.
The case study underscores an unsettling disparity between the theory and practice of hydrological risk management. This misalignment not only manifests in the legal framework but extends to spatial modeling, data analytics, and policy formulation, thereby putting communities at unnecessary risk.
Want to Know more?
For those interested in the full roadmap of our findings and recommendations, please contact us for further details.
Call to Action:
Discuss how these findings can benefit your municipality or urban planning efforts by booking a customized consultation with us. Your engagement could be the turning point in building more resilient communities.
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Why Choose Us?
In a world where environmental risks are rapidly evolving due to climate change, you need a partner who not only understands the law but also the changing dynamics of our planet. With Hub-Terra, you don’t just get legal consulting; you get a holistic, future-proof solution to your environmental challenges.
Where science meets legislation, we guide you through the legal maze of environmental governance for sustainable solutions.
D. Bello
Our mission doesn’t stop at providing cutting-edge ecological and spatial insights. We believe in a holistic approach that integrates these scientific endeavors with robust legal frameworks, ensuring that your project is not only successful but also sustainable.
J. Bernal
Let’s build something great together.
Hub-Terra
Research and Technology
29010 Málaga
Spain
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