A protected natural haven
Formentera is home to 40% of Spain's Posidonia meadows. Growing awareness of the importance of these underwater ecosystems has led to the introduction of concrete measures to preserve them. Among these, anchoring regulations, with precise marking of seagrass meadow zones on nautical charts, aim to protect these endangered marine meadows. Its coasts are among the most protected in the Mediterranean.
Land artificialisation, fragmentation of natural environments and pollution are other factors in the erosion of biodiversity. In response, the French government has introduced a series of town-planning regulations that severely restrict construction on the island. As a general rule, new construction is limited to already urbanized areas, and it is almost impossible to build in undeveloped rural or coastal zones.
Finally, around 70% of Formentera's surface area is protected. The island is also part of the Natura 2000 network, a European Union initiative designed to protect natural habitats and endangered species. Several areas of the island are classified as Natura 2000 sites, which impose strict restrictions on development, construction and the exploitation of natural resources to preserve biodiversity.
The issue of waste reduction
In 2023, each inhabitant of the Balearic Islands generated around 686 kg of waste. During the tourist season, waste production increased by 154%! When waste treatment centers are saturated, plastic pollution of the sea increases. The Mediterranean, which makes up 1% of the world's marine waters, accounts for 7% of plastic pollution (source: WWF). Most of this pollution is invisible, in the form of nano and micro-particles of plastic. Faced with these challenges, the archipelago enacted a law in 2019 aimed at reducing waste at source, a pioneering move in Spain. In 2022, Formentera performed well, achieving a record recycling rate of 33.91%, a significant increase on previous years. However, the island is still far from the 50% required by the new law on waste and contaminated land (Law 7/2022 of April 8 on waste and contaminated land for a circular economy).
Preserving blue gold at all costs
With a permanent population of around 12,000, rising to 80,000 in the high summer season, water management is a crucial issue on the island. The storage capacity of Formentera's aquifers is limited. In times of drought, it is estimated that the island could suffer a 30-40% reduction in its drinking water resources! What's more, the Balearic Islands, including Formentera, have seen a drop in rainfall of around 20% over the last 50 years. This trend is set to continue, exacerbating drought and water management problems. In 2023, Formentera saw a drop in precipitation of almost 40% compared with the annual average, exacerbating the water situation. Annual rainfall in Formentera is usually around 500 mm, but in 2023 it didn't exceed 300 mm... Awareness campaigns were launched to encourage residents and tourists to adopt water-saving practices. In 2023, for example, awareness-raising efforts reduced water consumption by 15% compared with previous years.
Renewable energies
Formentera has set itself an ambitious target: to achieve 100% renewable energy by 2025. This commitment stems from a desire to preserve the island's natural resources and combat climate change. By 2023, around 22% of the energy consumed on the island already came from renewable sources, mainly solar power. The island leads the way in sustainability and innovation! Energy-efficient building standards are also promoted to ensure that new buildings comply with sustainability principles. The use of sustainable materials and energy-saving technologies is encouraged. The recent commissioning of an undersea electricity interconnection between Ibiza and Formentera considerably reinforces this objective.
