JUSTGREEN Local Stakeholder Meeting – City of Murcia
On September 23rd 2024, Murcia hosted its first local stakeholder meeting as part of the Just Green initiative, bringing together key local stakeholders to review the city’s environmental strategies and assess its progress toward creating a more sustainable and green future. The meeting highlighted the importance of this collaborative effort, emphasising the role that projects like Just Green play in ensuring a sustainable transition, and the importance of Murcia continuing to develop its Green Infrastructure Plan, with the ultimate goal of improving the quality of life for Murcia’s citizens and creating a lasting legacy for future generations.
The meeting's primary objective was to foster collaboration between different municipal departments while including external stakeholders, including representatives from Murcia University, Urbamusa, and private entities such as CitiesForum, who together discussed how best to shape Murcia’s green strategy in an inclusive and balanced way.
A major focus of the session was the Just Green Scorecard, which invited participants to reflect on eight key areas, ranging from the alignment of social and environmental data to universal access to green spaces, climate resilience, and the integration of public departments in green policy-making.
The scorecard results provided a mixed picture. On the positive side, Murcia scored well in citizen participation processes, reflecting its commitment to involving local communities in decision-making. The topic of access to green spaces also received favorable feedback thanks to the significant urban renewal projects already underway in many underdeveloped areas, bringing green spaces to neighborhoods that were previously neglected.
Murcia’s climate resilience remains a pressing challenge. As one of the most climate-vulnerable regions in Spain, with high temperatures and water scarcity, the scorecard revealed that stakeholders believe more comprehensive strategies are needed to address the challenges posed by the climate crisis.
The meeting concluded with a shared recognition that Murcia is on the right track but still has significant work to do in preparing for climate challenges. Stakeholders expressed strong enthusiasm for the Just Green project and stressed the importance of continuing to collaborate not just locally, but also on a European and global scale, to share knowledge and solutions. The session closed with a commitment to refining Murcia’s green strategies, ensuring that the city can continue to grow sustainably while addressing the needs of its citizens.
