To start with, El Prat has made a lot of effort to save water. It has launched a campaign to encourage its inhabitants to use water in a more sustainable way and has decided that no drinking water would be allowed to water public parks and gardens, nor to clean the streets.

Mobility is another important aspect. To promote cycling, several bike lanes from the city centre to all economic zones have been constructed, including near the harbour and the airport in Barcelona. The city also promotes the use of public transport: it has invested in a new gas bus fleet and has increased the number of bus lanes. To save energy, reduce pollution and to ensure the security of its inhabitants, the speed limit has been reduced to 30km/h in the city. 

A big effort has been made to increase energy saving. All capacity contracts for the city’s buildings are carefully checked to ensure the most efficient use of energy possible. The consumption and life cycle of all building projects are carefully monitored and the construction and all systems in all public buildings carefully checked. There has been important changes made to the building systems and a lot of investment put into climate isolation. In addition, all employees from the public sector receive courses in increasing energy saving further.

Regarding public lighting, LEDs will replace all public lighting systems on a roll-out basis whenever they are renovated. The city is working towards a reduction of 40% of power from 23h00 and 05h00 in commercial areas, and of a reduction of 20% of power from 23h00 and 05h00 in urban areas. The city administration is also willing to invest more in renewables, and recently launched a public tender for the electricity supply, that demands that 90% comes from renewable sources. 

To reduce waste, the city has supported the creation of a public second-hand market and a public exchange market. The administration provides residents with a service that collects old furniture directly from their doorstep, free of charge. Garbage separation is done for glass, paper, organic and plastic items and mobile Green recycling points are available in many different part of the town.

Finally, the town council runs a permanent campaign to communicate with its citizens on the benefits of energy saving. Courses are offered to all sectors of the population – especially to those who are the most in need – so that they can all benefit from advice on reducing their own consumption, and contribute to the overall quality of life in EL Prat.

Mayor Lluís Tejedor, says

We must become a Carbon-neutral city as soon as possible in order to improve our economic situation, our environmental impact and our pride as a society. If we don't achieve it, who is going to do it?