Citizen Diary: Juan Luis Pozo Calderón – Leading sustainability efforts for a greener Valencia

With over three decades of experience, Juan Luis has been at the forefront of numerous sustainability initiatives, mainly on water conservation and management. His work is shaping the future of water sustainability in Valencia and positioning the city as a leader in the fight against climate change. Valencia’s crowning as the 2024 European Green Capital is also? a testament to the efforts of Juan Luis and his team at Global Omnium. In this interview, Juan Luis discusses his professional journey, the challenges of sustainable water management and how citizens can play an essential role in the transition to a greener future.

What led you to focus on sustainability, particularly in water management?

I’ve spent 34 years working in this field. I began as an industrial engineer and started my career in the water sector at a young age. From the outset, I focused on analysing the risks that impact the sustainability of water management, a vital service essential for all communities.

In the developed world, we’ve become used to water being always available in the right quantity and quality. However, this resource is scarce and limited. That’s why sustainability in the water sector is crucial; we have to ensure universal access so that when you turn on the tap, the water flows with the required quality and quantity without anyone noticing the complex operational challenges behind it.

What does it mean to you and your organisation that Valencia has been named European Green Capital for 2024?

It’s a huge honour. This recognition is not just an award for the city but a testament to the tireless efforts of those who have worked for decades to make Valencia a benchmark in sustainability. The fact that Valencia was named the European Green Capital is an achievement on an international level and an acknowledgement of the collective efforts of thousands of people.

At GlobalOmnium, we contributed to this success, particularly with innovative projects like the one we carried out in 2020. In that year Valencia became the first city in the world to calculate and officially certify the carbon footprint of its tourism activity. This was a groundbreaking achievement, as everyone was talking about water sustainability, but few could demonstrate it in a tangible and certified way. Thanks to projects like this, Valencia has been establishing itself as a leader in sustainability and in the fight against climate change.

What are the main challenges Global Omnium faces in terms of sustainability and water management?

Our main challenge is ensuring the continuity of the essential public service – water management. Valencia is one of the cities with the highest water efficiency in Europe, thanks to a digital transformation we undertook more than ten years ago. And we’ve managed to reduce water losses from around 30% to less than 8%. This has been made possible through technology that allows us to detect and fix leaks in real time. And this is not a simple feat, as, historically, water infrastructure in Europe are very old and expensive to maintain. Valencia’s success in water efficiency has put us at the forefront of this field, and many other cities are following our approach.

One of the major problems we are facing is climate change. Droughts are becoming more frequent and severe. We used to have a drought cycle every 20 or 25 years, but now it happens every five years. This new reality forces us to adapt our infrastructures and become much more efficient in using water resources.

Green spaces are crucial for any city. How do Valencia’s green spaces, such as the Huerta Valenciana and Albufera Natural Park, contribute to sustainability?

At Global Omnium, we are strong advocates of nature-based solutions. Green spaces are vital in any city, and in Valencia, two natural assets are key to sustainability: the Huerta Valenciana and the Albufera Natural Park.

The Huerta Valenciana is a World Agricultural Heritage site recognised by the FAO and is plays a vital role in CO2 absorption. We are developing projects to maintain and enhance these crops, which are critical in the fight against climate change. Recently, we achieved a significant milestone by certifying the CO2 absorption capacity of the crops in Huerta with an international standard, which was a world first.

Albufera Natural Park is a natural treasure that has been protected for years. Recently, an application has been submitted to UNESCO for it to be recognised as a biosphere reserve, which will further strengthen its protection. Our goal is to ensure that both spaces contribute to offsetting the city’s carbon emissions and that Valencia continues to be a leader in sustainability.

Citizens play a key role in achieving sustainability. How do you engage them in the process?

Citizens are a fundamental part of the fight against climate change, and achieving climate neutrality is impossible without their active participation. We want to involve them more in sustainability processes and one way we do this is through incentives. We’ve developed a system where citizens can earn carbon credits for sustainable actions, such as using public transport, which they can redeem for products or services.

This approach not only engages citizens but also creates a circular economy that benefits the entire community. Citizens who actively participate in reducing emissions see a tangible benefit, which motivates them to keep contributing. We want climate neutrality to be something that all Valencians feel is theirs, not something imposed from above.

Conclusion

Juan Luis Pozo Calderón’s work at Global Omnium is a prime example of how leadership and innovation can transform a city. Through strategic projects like water efficiency initiatives and nature-based solutions, Juan Luis and his team are not only addressing the challenges of today but also paving the way for a sustainable future. As Valencia continues its journey as the European Green Capital for 2024, the city’s efforts, led by dedicated professionals like Juan Luis, will undoubtedly serve as inspiration to others across Europe.