Interview with the director of the Chair of Transformation of the Economic Model: Circular Economy of Water of the Universitat de València, Francesc Hernández.

“What we have done in a new way is to develop a concept known as the ‘cost of not acting’. If in the end a circular economy project is not executed – despite its viability – it will be clear that it is not a neutral decision. In other words, it will have very negative consequences for society. Furthermore, these costs will be quantified. In the end it is an awareness mechanism for the promotion of circular economy projects”. These are the words of Professor Francisco Hernández, director of the Chair of Transformation of the Economic Model of the UV and of the Water Economy Group, about the European project ‘Guardian’.

Directed by Hernández, this project is developed in the La Vallesa forest, in the Turia Natural Park, with the aim of increasing its resilience to fire through the use of reclaimed water. The initiative has a grant from the European Union and is led by the Ribarroja and Paterna city councils, as well as Hidraqua, Medio XXI, Cetaqua, the Polytechnic University of Valencia (UPV) and the University of Valencia (UV). As the director of the Chair explains in this information at iAmbiente, one of the objectives of the project is replicability: “there are areas that are in similar circumstances and this experience should serve for a much easier implementation. Therefore, we are also dedicated to the construction of a guide or action plan that exponentially multiplies the value of the actions of the ‘Guardian’ project in other regions with similar problems”.

(Image: Freepik)