Living a more sustainable life
Small steps, big impact
Sustainability isn’t about being perfect—it’s about progress. In a world that often pushes for all-or-nothing thinking, it’s easy to feel like our small actions don’t matter. But they do. Every step towards a more sustainable lifestyle, no matter how small, contributes to a healthier planet and a better future.
Why sustainability matters
Sustainability isn’t just about saving the environment; it’s about creating balance—between people, the planet, and prosperity. It means making choices that reduce waste, conserve natural resources, and support ethical businesses. And the best part? You don’t have to overhaul your life overnight. Even small, intentional actions add up over time.
And why does this matter for Catalonia? Well, sustainability is vital for Catalonia's future, influencing its environment, economy, and society.
Environmental challenges
Biodiversity loss wildlife populations in Catalonia have declined by an average of 25% over 18 years, with freshwater species experiencing a 54% reduction, agricultural species 34%, and forest species 12%. You can read the full report at Creaf.cat
Marine ecosystem disruptions with rising sea temperatures have led to increased jellyfish populations along the Costa Brava, resulting in nearly 7,500 stings between May and August 2024—a 41% rise from the previous year. Read how resorts struggle with invasions of jellyfish.
Economic initiatives
Tourist tax increases across Catalonia by doubling its tourist tax by the end of 2025, with rates ranging from €2 to €7 daily in Barcelona and €1.20 to €6 elsewhere. At least 25% of the revenue will fund housing policies to address the housing crisis exacerbated by tourism.
Technological innovations
Energy recycling in transportation is happening with Barcelona´s subway MetroCharge system which captures energy from train braking to power stations and charges electric vehicles, enhancing public transportation sustainability. Read how innovative this system is.
Catalonia is actively implementing various initiatives to enhance sustainability across multiple sectors, here are some examples we have discovered.
Urban Planning and Mobility
The Urban Agenda of Catalonia is a strategic framework aiming to achieve more sustainable urban public policies. Focusing on environmental, social, and economic perspectives in line with the United Nations' Agenda 2030 and the New Urban Agenda. You can read more about their goals and objectives on their website.
Transforming mobility for net zero, sounds like a massive project! Catalonia is adopting a systems approach to identify processes and policy packages that encourage behavioural changes favouring sustainable transportation modes, aiming for a net-zero mobility system. It’s a beast of a document, but you can download the whole report and plan.
Circular economy initiatives
Club EMAS is a network of over 60 EMAS-registered organisations in Catalonia, it fosters a circular economy by providing a platform where businesses can exchange materials, reduce waste, and promote environmental stewardship.
Circular economy measures are in Catalonia's initiatives which encompass public projects, organised clusters, universities, technology centres, and trade shows, all focusing on rethinking business models, extending asset lifecycles, and recuperating value at the end of an asset's lifecycle.
Sustainable tourism
Catalonia's sustainable destination certification.The region is advancing towards a tourism model that is environmentally sustainable, socially inclusive, and universally accessible, employing tools like certifications to demonstrate these efforts. Another hefty PDF, but their report covers how sustainability matters.
Blue economy projects
Innovative initiatives means Catalonia is emerging as a leader in the Blue Economy, with projects focusing on ocean preservation, environmental data collection, and fostering entrepreneurial growth in the sector, as showcased at the Smart City Expo World Congress 2024.
These initiatives reflect Catalonia's comprehensive approach to sustainability, addressing environmental, economic, and social dimensions to ensure a balanced and thriving future. With government bodies and teams of people there is a lot of big projects and hard work going on, but how can we help towards this?
Simple ways to live more sustainably
If the idea of “going green” feels overwhelming, start with small, manageable changes. We’ve chatted to a few local suppliers and here are some of their suggestions to incorporate sustainability into everyday life:
1. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle (but mostly reduce!)
Recycling is great, but reducing waste is even better.
Say no to single-use plastics and carrying a reusable water bottle, coffee cup, and shopping bag.
Choose products with minimal packaging.
Repurpose or repair items before replacing them.
2. Shop Smart, Shop Local
Supporting local businesses and sustainable brands helps reduce your carbon footprint and supports ethical practices.
Farmers’ markets are great for fresh, seasonal produce.
Second-hand or upcycled goods.
Ethical and fair-trade brands that prioritise sustainability.
3. Eat with the Planet in Mind
Food choices have a big environmental impact.
Reduce meat consumption and incorporate more plant-based meals.
Avoid food waste by planning meals and storing food properly.
Choose sustainably sourced seafood and organic produce when possible.
4. Rethink your energy use
Saving energy doesn’t just help the planet—it helps your wallet, too.
Switch to LED bulbs and energy-efficient appliances.
Unplug devices when they’re not in use.
Use public transport, biking, or walking when possible.
5. Make conscious fashion choices
The fashion industry is one of the biggest polluters, but small changes can help:
Buy quality over quantity—invest in timeless, durable pieces.
Support sustainable fashion brands or second-hand shops.
Swap or rent clothes instead of buying new for special occasions.
6. Get involved in your community
Sustainability isn’t just about individual choices—it’s about collective action. Join:
Community clean-ups or tree-planting initiatives.
Local sustainability groups to learn and share ideas.
Conversations that encourage others to make small, positive changes.
Progress over perfection
You don’t have to do everything at once. Start where you can, make changes that feel doable, and build from there. Sustainability isn’t about being perfect; it’s about being mindful. The more people who take small, consistent steps, the greater the impact we can have together.
So, what’s one small change you can start today? The journey to a more sustainable life begins with a single step—yours.
Citations:
OECD (2025), Transforming Catalonia’s Mobility System for Net Zero, OECD Publishing, Paris, https://doi.org/10.1787/1cac3681-en.
Published: 1st April 2025