Tag Archives: Sustainability

The mistake of the tourist accommodation places pool

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GOB has asked the Island Council to abandon the use of the tourist accommodation places pool and to require guarantees of water availability for any new tourist concession that is made.

As is well known, the Island Council of Menorca resorted to a subterfuge to avoid the moratorium on tourist accommodation places that has been decreed in the Balearic Islands. The Prohens regional government, which in tourism matters has become characterised by making its discourse point in one direction and its actions in the opposite direction, enabled a way of bypassing the aforementioned moratorium.

It is a mechanism that collects tourist places that are voluntarily deregistered or have been inactive over the last three years, and puts them back on the market. These are tourist places that have ceased to operate, that are inactive, that were not operating. Removing them would not imply any kind of compensation for their former holders.

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The Water Crisis in Menorca: Es Mercadal

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The water supplied for the ordinary needs of the municipality of Es Mercadal comes from groundwater abstractions from the Sa Roca (1902M1) groundwater body. Piezometers show a downward trend since 2012.

According to data provided by the Water Resources Department and published by OBSAM, the s’Albaida aquifer had an average level of 41 metres above sea level in 2011. In 2025, the recorded level is 30 metres. These figures mean that the aquifer has lost 25% of its capacity in just 15 years.

Over the last decade, of the 13 monitoring points installed, 5 show a stable trend and 8 show a declining or sharply declining trend. None shows signs of recovery.

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Infinitists and Fatalists

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The world is drifting off course for two main reasons. On the one hand, there are those who fail to understand that the planet is finite. On the other, there are those who constantly spread pessimism. To make our way between the two, we need inspiration (hope), organisation (capacity) and a timetable (perseverance).

In today’s society, flat-earthers are not the majority. The majority are infinitists: people who believe we live in a world without limits. That is why they celebrate the usual indicators of ever-growing consumption.

Without accepting that the planet is finite, a society based on permanent growth inevitably creates major environmental impacts, which ultimately lead to profound inequalities and enormous imbalances.

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Call for Water in Menorca: Es Migjorn Gran and Ferreries

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Menorca’s aquifers are going through one of the most delicate moments in their recorded history. The municipalities of Ferreries and Es Migjorn Gran record the highest percentage of losses in their water distribution networks. GOB has requested information to find out how this problem is being managed.

The official position is that desalination plants will solve the island’s water problems. But this has long been the strategy followed in Mallorca and Ibiza. When the condition of the aquifers on the neighbouring islands is examined, it becomes clear that desalination plants have not been used to reduce groundwater extraction, but rather to support continued urban and tourism growth. That is the reality.

For this reason, it is argued that unless limits are agreed beforehand, desalination plants become a passport to a model that exploits the territory and promotes an extractive economy.

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Activities in support of the Port of Maó

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The ‘Recuperem el Port de Maó’ (“Let’s Restore the Port of Maó”) campaign has organised a wide-ranging programme of activities that will continue throughout summer and autumn, with the aim of showcasing the natural, heritage, cultural and social values of the Port of Maó, as well as raising public awareness about the pressures that threaten this unique space.

The programme combines outreach, culture, citizen participation and photography, with proposals designed to help residents rediscover the port, engage with it and strengthen their connection to it. Talks, guided routes, boat trips, workshops, glosat performances, music and exhibitions make up a diverse offer that invites people to view the bay from new perspectives and to highlight its heritage.

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The Government lowers water safeguards in new developments

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The requirement to obtain a Water Resources report guaranteeing sufficient water supply for new urban developments has just been reduced by the Balearic Government. The move poses a particular threat to Menorca, where most water bodies are overexploited or contaminated. GOB considers the measure unconstitutional.

The new Law 4/2026 on urgent measures to accelerate strategic projects, also known as the omnibus law, approved by Parliament with the votes of PP and Vox on 26 May 2026, includes an additional provision allowing municipalities to approve or develop urban planning without requesting a prior water sufficiency report from the Directorate General for Water Resources.

This measure weakens the main environmental control over urban growth at the worst possible time. The so-called “strategic projects” law is also a strategy to try to unblock developments that are currently stalled due to reports stating that there is not enough water available.

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Manifesto against Overcrowding and Proposals for Course Correction

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Many people have asked to see the analysis of the issues that was read at last Saturday’s gathering on the 13th at the Biosphere Square, as well as the proposals that were put forward.

In response to this repeated request, we are providing the full text that was read. We hope it will help clarify concepts, improve conversations and seek real solutions.

We also hope it will help counter repeated attempts to divert attention to other issues, or to show that this is not an all-or-nothing debate. We are calling for limits to be placed on certain dynamics that are getting out of control and generating multiple negative effects.

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Via Menorca demonstration, also against precariousness

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On Saturday the 13th we will also attend the demonstration at Plaça de la Biosfera to protest against the growing economic precariousness. As tourism volume has increased, the island’s GDP per capita has decreased. We are on a path that does not point to a pleasant future, and a change of direction must be demanded.

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Cala Galdana: ending impunity

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For many years, the stream at Cala Galdana has suffered repeated pollution discharges. Numerous inspections have been carried out by different monitoring and enforcement bodies, yet the source of the periodic spills that alter the colour and smell of the water flowing from the Algendar ravine has still not been identified.

It is urgent that the municipalities of Ferreries and Ciutadella excavate inspection trenches along both sides of the stream and intercept any pipelines that do not serve a public purpose. Only then will it be possible to identify those responsible and put an end to the current situation of impunity.

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Esteim fartes! [We are fed up!] New Via Menorca T-shirt

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Via Menorca calls on the ants to leave the anthill and defend the island from pressure and threats. A campaign T-shirt has been produced.

We would like to remind everyone that the rally will take place on Saturday 13 June in front of the Menorca Island Council, at Plaça Biosfera, at 7.30 pm.

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