A Dutch environmental consultancy, Arcadis, has started meetings in Barcelona this week to advise the Catalan government on justifying the proposed expansion of Barcelona-El Prat Airport to European authorities. Five members of the firm, who will remain in the city until Thursday, began discussions on Tuesday with key stakeholders to understand the project's fit within the sensitive Llobregat Delta, a protected area adjacent to the airport.
The company's work focuses on evaluating the expansion proposal and the potential ecological consequences of extending the third runway over the El Remolar-Filipines wetlands and La Ricarda lagoon. Arcadis aims to validate the government's plans, agreed with Aena, and confirm that extending the sea-facing runway is the only viable option, according to sources familiar with the meetings. The firm was hired in November and has over 36,000 employees in more than 30 countries.
Arcadis executives and technical staff have already met with senior officials from the Department of Territory, Housing and Ecological Transition, including representatives from the Secretary of Infrastructures and Mobility and the Secretary of Ecological Transition. They have also met with figures from Catalonia's economic sector. These meetings are critical for justifying the expansion's "priority interest", a concept essential for the European Commission to approve changes to protected green zones.
Economic Sector Presents Case
On Tuesday, Arcadis met for two hours at the Department of Territory headquarters with two members of Foment del Treball, one from PIMEC, and one from the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce. Foment del Treball representatives presented a 130-page report they had prepared, defending the airport expansion. This report, which analysed 11 alternatives over a year, concluded that the option eventually agreed upon by the government and Aena was the best.
Upcoming meetings on Wednesday include the Catalan Water Agency (ACA), the Barcelona Metropolitan Area (AMB), and the Centre for Ecological Research and Forestry Applications (CREAF). Later, another round of contacts will involve local councils and neighbourhood and environmental groups. CREAF's involvement is particularly important as it is a scientific centre of reference for the regional ministry.
Environmental Compensation and EU Scrutiny
The Dutch company intends to consider CREAF's perspective when addressing environmental compensation, which the Generalitat and Aena have stated will involve creating new wetland areas inland. During Tuesday's meeting, the regional ministry detailed the hectares identified as ideal locations for these new spaces. The possibility of Aena pre-purchasing approximately 270 hectares was also discussed, aiming to show progress in conservation efforts.
The objective for the Spanish state, the Generalitat, and Aena is not only to defend the proposed ecological countermeasures but also to persuade Brussels to close the open file concerning the degradation of the Llobregat Delta. Over the past year, both the state and regional administrations have coordinated their responses to Europe's letter of formal notice to Spain regarding the delta's lack of conservation. These responses outline measures already taken, such as expanding the Special Protection Area for Birds (ZEPA) and ongoing restoration work to demolish old car parks. A management plan for the delta still needs to be drafted.
