Basque sustainable development strategy 2020

ECO ECO ECO from the voice
from economy from Ecology of the whole society

BASQUE
sustainable development
STRATEGY 2020

6 EcoEuskadi 2020: a stratEgic window to a sustainablE futurE

ECO from ECO from ECO from the voice
economy Ecology of the whole society

basQuE
sustainable development
stratEgY 2020

Publication:
July 2011

PubliSHED bY:
Eusko Jaurlaritza – basque Government
ihobe, Sociedad Pública de Gestión ambiental
EcoEuskadi 2020 technical Secretariat
Alda. de Urquijo N.º 36 - 6.ª (Plaza Bizkaia) 48011 Bilbao
Tel.: 94 423 07 43 • Fax: 94 423 59 00
info@ihobe.net • www.ihobe.net

DESiGn anD laYout:
Canaldirecto • www.canal-directo.com

tRanSlation:
Traductores e Intérpretes S.A.

lEGal DEPoSit:
BI-2499/2011

The contents of this book, in this edition, are published under licence:
Creative Commons Recognition-Non commercial–ShareALike 3.0 Unported
(Further information http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/deed.es_ES)

this document was made using only 100% recycled and totally chlorine free paper.
the paper used holds the following certificates: angel azul, cisne nórdico and European Ecolabel.

indEx
04 PrEsEntatiOn

06 ECOEuskadi 2020: a stratEgiC windOw tO
a sustainablE futurE

14 thE ECOEuskadi 2020 stratEgy: MissiOn

16 ECOEuskadi 2020 VisiOn

20 guiding PrinCiPlEs

24 stratEgiC ObjECtiVEs

32 linEs Of aCtiOn

62 transVErsal fOCusEs

66 ECOEuskadi 2020 COntrOl PanEl

74 ManagEMEnt MOdEl

80 guidElinEs fOr inCOrPOrating
sustainability CritEria in sECtOral
POliCiEs

87 annExEs

prEsEntation

On 5 July 2011, the Basque Government approved 3% investment in research, development and
the first Sustainable Development Strategy, which innovation; reduce greenhouse gas emissions by
we named EcoEuskadi 2020. This milestone has 20%; reduce the school dropout rate to under 10%
positioned the Basque Country among Europe’s most and the number of people living under the poverty
cutting-edge regions in the field of sustainability. threshold to under 15%.

EcoEuskadi 2020 is economy, it is ecology and it is EcoEuskadi 2020 likewise sets out the strategic
the echo of the voice of society as a whole. It will reflections implemented by the different
henceforth be the relevant instrument to prepare all territories and local councils, and consolidates
public policies. It is a common project constructed by them into a single country vision. Achieving
and for Basque citizens. the magnificent result of this strategy could not
have been possible without this preliminary co-
The Basque Country is now working on a progress responsibility work.
model that will turn us into a cohesive country,
with free citizens, committed to an economy that This document is also the outcome of the
ensures the well-being of its inhabitants and protects involvement of all socio-economic stakeholders. I
environmental assets. Jobs, youth and innovation are would like to sincerely thank each and every one of
the pillars of this new model. them for their commitment and collaboration.

We plan to increase the employment level EcoEuskadi 2020 is now a reality. The Basque
of people between 20 and 64 to 75%, achieve Country has a strategy.

Patxi lópez
Lehendakari (Basque Premier)
5 July 2011

EcoEuskadi 2020:
a stratEgic
window to
a sustainablE
futurE

“EcoEuskadi 2020 is a transversal tool designed to advance
towards a new model of sustainable progress that allows for
a balanced development of the country with lower resource
consumption, and from which we will promote one of the
main engines for change towards this new economy in
which bonds between economic growth, social welfare and
conserving our environmental assets are appropriately linked
(...)”

Patxi López, President of the Basque Country
Vitoria-Gasteiz, 5 july 2011

introduction
On June 5, 2009, in the presentation of the so- territorial area, exceeding a specific territory.
called Declaration of Urdaibai, the President of the Therefore, the Basque Country must unavoidably
Basque Country expressed his intention to lead a new coordinate its own strategy for sustainable
development model - a transversal and integrating development with international strategies and
pillar of the political action of the Basque Government, commitments, essentially with the Europe 2020
gathered in the EcoEuskadi 2020 instrument. Strategy.2 Furthermore, it has to converge with the
sustainable development strategies of the three
The EcoEuskadi 2020 instrument, included as
territories it comprises (the Biscay Programme
an emblematic initiative within the significant
21 2011-2016, the Gipuzkoa Strategy 2020-2030
Calendar of Plans and Actions for the 9th
Legislature,1 is the Strategy for Sustainable and the Strategic Sustainable Development Plan
Development in the Basque Country up to the year for Álava 2011-2015), as well as with the local
2020. It establishes the strategic objectives that sustainability processes of the towns, developed
encompass sectoral plans from the sustainability through the Local Agenda 21.
perspective. EcoEuskadi 2020 will serve to deepen
By virtue of its transversal nature, the
the concept of Sustainable Development and
EcoEuskadi 2020 instrument is devoted to
to assimilate its implications when designing
articulate public actions towards the project
departmental and sectoral policies.
of a country that is economically competitive,
Sustainability is an interrelated and global innovative and eco-efficient, social united and
concept that must be managed according to a jointly responsible, committed to the quality of the
political commitment that is appropriate to each assets and resources of its natural heritage.

1
Regional Cabinet Agreement of April 13, 2010.
2
It must also be aligned with the Strategy for Sustainable Development of Spain (2007) and the Sustainable Economy Act (2011).

7

organisational and economic resources
procEss for dEvEloping necessary to develop the entire process.
thE stratEgY
— Technical Committee, formed by technical
staff from the different Departments of the
Basque Government.
The process for developing the EcoEuskadi
2020 Strategy was led by the President of the — Technical Secretariat, coordinated by
Basque Country, Patxi López, and boosted by the Basque Government’s Environmental
several multidepartmental and multiinstitutional Management Authority (Ihobe).
committees. The following operational organisms
Considering the synergies that have been set
had been established:
out and the excellent results obtained from this
— Interdepartmental Committee, formed by organisational model, it has to be kept in force, to
Deputy Ministers of the Basque Government. deploy, assess and monitor EcoEuskadi 2020 in the
context of the Sustainable Development Office.3
— Interinstitutional Committee, formed by
representatives from the three provincial A noteworthy feature is the commitment to
councils, from Eudel —Association of Basque gather the maximum number of agents and citizens
Municipalities— and the economic, social and participating as possible, as a differentiating and
environmental areas of the Basque Government. structuring factor of the entire process. In order
to build the EcoEuskadi 2020 strategy bottom-
— Monitoring Committee, made up of senior up. For that purpose, different onsite and virtual
officials of the Basque Presidency, the participation channels were created throughout
Department of the Environment and Ihobe, the process, that complemented and redirected the
the operative body behind the EcoEuskadi work of the committees. Those channels were one
2020 initiative, responsible for proposing the of the main characteristics and most highly valued
methodology and assigning the technical, elements when developing the Strategy.

synthesis of the development process of the strategy for sustainable development EcoEuskadi 2020

PARTICIPATORY PROCESS ON CHALLENGES PARTICIPATORY PROCESS ON PROPOSALS

Scenarios 2030

Strategic framework,
PREPARATORY
Situation objectives and lines of action
WORK
analysis Keys to
sustainability
in the Basque
Challenges to Country STRATEGY FOR SUSTAINABLE
METHODOLOGICAL sustainability
DEVELOPMENT
ORGANISATION
EcoEuskadi 2020
Indicators Sustainable
Development

May 2010 October 2010 February 2011 June 2011

Figure 1.

3
See chapter 9 «Management Model».


Work process other documents available on sustainability
(E.g.: Basque President’s Advisory Council on
The methodology followed to develop the Euskadi Socio-economic Affairs).
2020 Strategy for Sustainable Development
fully conformed to the slogan “the process is These documents prepared by the Technical
as important as its content”. Actually, great Committee have been contrasted by the
prominence was given to the participation of social, Interdepartmental and Interinstitutional Committees
economic and institutional agents and to the public mentioned above.
in general (particularly young people), almost
The situation diagnosis highlights how our
continuously throughout the process.4
system faces three great threats that, lacking an
The process itself has followed three clearly appropriate response, will gradually but inexorably
defined phases. The first, which we could call the lead to the depletion of the welfare system:
preparation, began in May 2010 and tackled the
— The first involves depletion of resources
creation of the aforementioned committees and
that are scarce (energy, other raw materials,
the initial methodological documents; the second
food, water) and ever more in dispute due to
phase of diagnosis lasted from October 2010 to
the growing number of countries in global
February 2011 and finalised with the identification
markets, which obliges us to redefine the basis
of eight keys to safeguard the sustainability of
development in the Basque Country. Finally the of competitiveness in our productive industry
third phase, concluded in June 2011, consisted in an open and globalised world.
of preparing the strategy itself. Both final phases — The second threat, closely linked to the current
were strongly supported by extensive and in-depth energy model, is climate change. Mitigating
public participation processes that have allowed climate change requires a radical change of
the different social agents and the public in general
the energy model based on fossil fuels. Despite
to contribute to a true construction process from
the possible change of energy model, climate
the base; specific proposals that have been included
change will produce effects to which we must
in the strategy.
adapt, beyond the 2020 horizon, and generally
The diagnosis phase was developed on the basis given the greater frequency of extreme
of three documents:5 atmospheric phenomena.

— Scenarios 2030. Implications for the Basque — The third is linked to our demographic
Country, based on recognised macro trends evolution, which leads us to a situation that
in a series of fields that directly affect the is stationary and possibly, beyond 2020,
framework of action in the Basque Country. regressive of the population volume.

— Euskadi 2011 sustainable development These are threats that we also share with other
indicators, putting into figures the main regions but that require specific solutions by each
parameters that define sustainability, aligned region.
with the European indicators in use.
On the interaction of these three great threats
— Situation diagnosis for a sustainable Basque with our socio-economic reality, the diagnosis
Country in 2020, based on the sectoral concludes with the identification of nine challenges
analysis prepared by the different departments to the sustainability of the Basque Country6
of the Basque government, those prepared to that were contrasted with the general public in
develop the sustainable development strategies participatory session.7 As a result of this contrast,
of the three Historical Territories, as well as the phase ended with the identification of the

4
Annex 3: Synthesis of the participatory process.
5
All the documentation is available at www.ecoeuskadi2020.net.
6
The challenges identified were: 1. Productive model, employment and competitiveness. Basque Country in the global economy; 2. Sustainable production
and consumption. Raw materials. Waste and recycling; 3. Climate change and energy model; 4. Land planning and use. Biodiversity and natural heritage; 5.
Mobility, infrastructures and means of transport; 6. The welfare state; 7. Social cohesion and solidarity; 8. Culture and society and 9. Governance.
7
Participatory process aimed at socio-economic agents. Technical Conclusions of the 1st session (January 25 and 26, 2011). Available at www.
ecoeuskadi2020.net.

BASQUE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2020 9

following for a sustainable Basque Country in the After the contrast in the participatory process
year 2020: undertaken in May 20118, the body of the Strategy
1. Scarce natural resources and in the process developed throughout this text was built.
of depletion.
It is noteworthy the work carried out throughout
2. Energy dependence and climate change. the process by the Basque President’s Advisory
3. Globalisation of competition. Council on Socio-economic Affairs, as a permanent
contrasting organism throughout the drafting of
4. Profound demographic changes.
EcoEuskadi 2020, and also Innobasque, the Basque
5. Unbalanced generational change. Innovation Agency, which acted as a coordinator for
6. Fragility of a changing system of values. the deployment of the participatory process.
7. Unsustainable mobility and transport. Finally, it should be noted that the Basque
8. Unequal international development. Economic and Social Council reported on the
Sustainable Development Strategy Project on
Based on the agreed key aspects, since late June 8, 2011 and considered it appropriate to be
February 2011 we have built the Euskadi 2020 processed. The Economic Development Committee
Strategy for Sustainable Development. During this of this Council, who worked on the EcoEuskadi
last phase, the participatory processes were held 2020 strategy, incorporated in the report a series of
parallel to the work undertaken by the different observations that have mostly been included in this
committees, and have continuously contributed to Strategy.
the process of drafting the Strategy. Each of the
Extensive and intensive
groups or individuals has submitted their input
in relation to what they consider must be a more
participatory process
sustainable Basque Country and the specific lines The participatory process has had great
of action and proposals to achieve this. In this relevance when drafting this Strategy, and it has
way, the drafting has followed a bottom-up outline, been a conditioning element thereof. The Basque
searching for the involvement of the greatest Government provided forums for participatory
number of agents possible, maximum consensus reflection and cooperation (active co-creation) in
and including the different sensitivities that make order to gather the opinions and stances of young
up Basque society. people, businessesmen, social bodies, institutions
and general public.
The process was enriched with the contributions
The intensity and extent of the participation
of the technical staff of the Government
came to prove a consensus on the need and urgency
Departments through idea and line of action of developing a Sustainable Development Strategy
contribution sessions in interdepartmental forums for Euskadi 2020 with a long-term vision, in order
to combine the focuses on: to pursue action on the unsustainable trends of the
current system.
— Economic and Environmental Sustainability
(Economy, Industry, Environment and The participation process can be summarised in
Agriculture and Energy, Transport, Education). the following figures:

— Social Sustainability (Health, Employment and — 50 physical and virtual participatory forums.
Social Services, Economy). — 78 onsite meetings or workshops held.
— 388 entities represented.
— Governance (Presidency, Education, Economic, — 2,502 attendees and 2,368 people taking part;
Public Administration). of them, 1,616 young people.

8
Participatory process aimed at socio-economic agents. Technical Conclusions of the 2nd session (May 9, 10 and 11, 2011). Available at www.
ecoeuskadi2020.net.


— 832 users of the open spaces online and on channels were complemented with Local Agenda 21
social networks. forums in different municipalities and regions, as
— And over 9,350 hours of participatory work well as the work of several NGOs.
dedicated to the EcoEuskadi 2020 strategy.
As a differentiating feature, we opened a
To do this, we followed two different channels: complementary and innovative public participation
channel to gather social discourse on sustainability
— A traditional in-person channel. in the Basque Country, and to approach this
— A virtual channel, based on social networks. concept from a public perspective. For this purpose,
we developed a qualitative methodology (Future
All the information prepared is available on the
Workshops) that allowed us to know the depth and
website www.ecoeuskadi2020.net, which is also
development of social discourse, through group
the permanent reference for the communicative and
dynamics with people of different characteristics,
participatory process.
based on three parameters (Historical Territory,
The institutional vision was also represented age and rural/urban environment). The results
by the committees that make up the process: the show the positive but distant or remote nature that
Town Councils through Udalsarea 21 (the Basque citizens attributes to the concept of sustainable
Network of Municipalities for Sustainability), the development, linked to responsibility towards the
departmental and interdepartmental sessions of the future and particularly to the environment and
different Basque Government Departments, as well energy model. However, there is a distinct lack of
as the different Basque universities and Q Epea (the association between sustainable development and
Network of Public Entities for Excellence). aspects of economic and social cohesion.

The contribution of socio-economic agents This process gave rise to a pioneering
was provided by Izaite (Basque companies for quantitative study9 related to Quality of life and
sustainability), Bai+ (Forum for reflection for Sustainability, its main findings show for example
sustainability of Eusko Ikaskuntza/Basque that the weighting given by Basque society to
Studies Society), Garapen (Association of Basque economic, social and environmental aspects in
Development Agencies), and Technological Centres, relation to the concept of quality of life are well
among others. balanced. Employment and the competitiveness
of Basque companies in a global market are
Building a project for the future must significantly perceived as key aspects of the future, the study
take into account young people with special also detected a special sensitivity to promoting and
attention to educational centres. There have aiding the primary sector in the Basque Country.
been work sessions in the University of Deusto, The ageing population and low birth rate have
University of Mondragón and the University of the an average relevance on the scale of importance.
Basque Country / Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea, in Intergenerational and international joint-
vocational training centres and in secondary schools responsibility is another outstanding aspect, most
in the three territories, as well as different youth are aware that current consumption of resources
associations. jeopardises the welfare of future generations and
of the need to support the poorest countries.
Finally, the contribution of Basque society was
channelled through the website and main social Due to the impact it had on the development of
networks (Facebook, Twitter, Tuenti, Open Ideiak, the Strategy, as an element to display the input
etc.), with the support and coordination of the Office received, the description of the participatory
of Open Government and Communication on the process and the results obtained will be object
Internet, attached to the Presidency of the Basque of an additional document that completes
Government. Furthermore, these public participation EcoEuskadi 2020.

9
Survey carried out by the Basque Government Office of Sociological Prospective among 1,200 people, based on a questionnaire linked to current and
future keys to sustainability in the Basque Country. May 2011. See Annex 4.


outlinE of The Strategy is completed with three chapters of
the utmost importance:
thE stratEgY
— The control panel, with three types of
indicators (the head, policy monitoring and
progress in Strategy management) that allow
The Euskadi 2020 Strategy for Sustainable
us to make a direct reading of the evolution of
Development has been structured following the sustainability and is the basis to assess the
outline shown in the triangle of the figure: effectiveness of the Strategy.

Mission — The management model, which establishes
the procedure for monitoring, assessing and
The rationale of the Strategy. Reflects the national
periodically revising EcoEuskadi 2020.
project towards which the Basque Country wishes
to advance. — Guidelines for incorporating sustainability
criteria into sectoral policies, which includes
Vision the criteria to be used to incorporate the
principles of sustainability in the policies of
Direction or purpose of a conscious desire.
the Basque Administration.
Reflects how we want to see ourselves and be seen
by 2020. Finally, the Strategy has four annexes, with the
following content:
Guiding principles
1. Aligning the Government plans with the
Basic principles that should guide institutional strategic objectives of the 2020 Strategy for
policies and leadership. Sustainable Development.

Strategic Objectives 2. Fitting the EcoEuskadi 2020 strategic
objectives with the objectives of the
Derived directly from the vision, they reflect the
sustainable development plans of the
partial goals that must be developed in order to
Provincial Councils.
advance towards this vision.
3. Synthesis of the participatory process.
Lines of Action
4. Citizenship and sustainable development.
Main actions proposed to advance towards the
Strategic Objectives outlined. As previously mentioned, the special
characteristic of the participation process and
Transversal Focuses the impact it has had on the development of the
Strategy will be object of an additional document
Priority areas of action that impact
that complements the Euskadi 2020 Strategy for
simultaneously on the three dimensions of Sustainable Development.
sustainability. They require vertical and horizontal
coordination by the Administration and may Finally, it is necessary to deploy a guide to detail
become bottlenecks in the progress towards the the guidelines for incorporating sustainability
strategic objectives. criteria in the sectoral policies and strategies.


Outline of the sustainable development strategy,
EcoEuskadi 2020

Figure 2.


thE EcoEuskadi
2020 stratEgY:
Mission

The mission of the EcoEuskadi 2020 Strategy is to serve
as an integration platform for all the sectoral policies of the
Government and other Public Administrations to create an
explicit national project with public participation, agreeing
a set of objectives, guidelines and principles that guarantee
economic, social and environmental sustainability,
establishing benchmarks that allow the progress made to be
regularly assessed.

This formulation implies: — Agreeing a series of objectives, guidelines and
principles that guarantee its economic, social
— Serving as a platform to integrate all the and environmental sustainability:
Government's sectoral policies: Although the Strategy does not include Action
EcoEuskadi 2020 does not intend, in principle, Plans, it shall include objectives and guiding
to include new actions but to seek the principles that must be integrated and
integration and coherence of the different deployed in the appropriate sectoral plans. In
Government strategies. consequence, the objectives may condition the
future plans and strategies.
— And of the other public administrations:
And also of the Provincial and Town — With active public participation:
Councils, therefore its participation, given Active citizens demand to participate actively
the distribution of competence between the in the regulation, plan and strategy drafting
different levels of administration, is essential processes. Furthermore, progressing towards
to achieve its goals. sustainability also involves hanging public
models and attitudes. Therefore, public
participation is essential for the effectiveness of
— A national project:
the actions.
The perspective and priorities of the country
as a whole should prevail, formalising a new — Establishing milestones to periodically assess
contract between the Public Administration the progress made:
and society, in which a new form of governance As well as objectives and guiding principles,
is specified, achieving the support of the people the Strategy for Sustainable Development shall
and organisations. have a control panel and set of monitoring
indicators that shall serve as a reference to
periodically assess the progress in achieving
the different objectives set.

15

A country coordinated as Euskal Metrópoli (Basque
Metropolis), cohesive, formed by free and healthy citizens who
live in peace, who are actively committed to transforming the
current productive system towards a new, eco-efficient and
low-carbon economy that is competitive and open, based
on education, research, knowledge, innovation and learning,
to preserve the welfare and quality of life of its inhabitants;
open to the world but protective of its cultural identity, natural
resources and biodiversity, to build an attractive future in
which to develop and cultivate human talent, and committed
to developing the planet and its inhabitants.

Developing the Strategy parts from an initial For this reason we formulated this purpose as a
diagnosis10 of the Basque productive, social and conscious desire to:
ecological system. This diagnosis has revealed the
existence of certain risks of unsustainability in the “Advance in the construction of a national
future. Contrasting the diagnosis with public group project that is at the forefront of sustainable
that joined the open participation process led to the development.”
identification of eight keys or reference elements
This is specified in:
for the future sustainability of the Basque system.11
A country coordinated as Euskal Metrópoli
In view of these keys, a purpose is formulated
(Basque Metropolis), cohesive, formed by free
for the Strategy for Sustainable Development. This
and healthy citizens who live in peace, who are
purpose summarises the vision of how we want
actively committed to transforming the current
to see ourselves and been seen in 2020, aware
productive system towards a new, eco-efficient
that to fulfil this purpose, and starting from the
and low-carbon economy that is competitive and
basis, we must undertake a series of actions that
open, based on education, research, knowledge,
require certain commitment by the Basque Public
innovation and learning, to preserve the
Administration, the public and other agents.
welfare and quality of life of its inhabitants;
Nothing will come about on its own.
open to the world but protective of its cultural
On the other hand, we must be aware that the identity, natural resources and biodiversity, to
vision is not really a goal but a direction. There is build an attractive future in which to develop
no state of sustainable development, but ways of and cultivate human talent, and committed to
progressing in a sustainable way. developing the planet and its inhabitants.

10
Diagnosis of the situation for a sustainable Basque Country in 2020. Available at www.ecoeuskadi2020.net
11
Keys to sustainability in the Basque Country. Available at www.ecoeuskadi2020.net

17

This formulation implies: — Transforming the current productive system
towards a new, eco-efficient and low-carbon
— A national project: economy:
Is conceived, designed, built as an integrated Sustainable development involves
country, i.e. with an overview where each transforming our productive system,
Territory, each Region, each Municipality, establishing a new model of sustainable
with its own personality and vocation is development, three-dimensional, with a
reinterpreted in terms of the country as a growing role for innovation, to respond to
whole. current challenges and, in particular, to the
depletion of natural resources and the need to
— That is at the forefront of sustainable
change the energy model in favour of a system
development:
that is free or little dependent on fossil fuels.
The Basque Country, which has positioned
itself among the advanced countries in terms — Competitive and open:
of economic and social development, must Excellence in what it is and in what allows it
continue forward in developing knowledge and to successfully compete in an international
in the achievements of the new, sustainable context. Economic globalisation makes it
economy. imperative to progress towards a competitive
and open economy to exchange the goods and
— A country coordinated as Euskal Metrópoli
services produced with increasing added value.
(Basque Metropolis):
A country where the time and distance between — Based on education, research, knowledge,
its parts is so reduced that it conceives and innovation and learning:
designs its equipment as that of a large city, Making progress and, even more so, being at
accessible to all its citizens, inserted in its the forefront, requires research, knowledge,
natural environment, open and integrated into learning, applying. The Science and Technology
its surroundings. system is therefore a key element of the
new economy. Its development requires
— Cohesive: having a vocation for research and centres of
Solidary and egalitarian, it strives to correct excellence embedded in the global network for
factors of inequality, guaranteeing an collaboration. And it requires entrepreneurs to
acceptable level of equitable opportunities commit to new business initiatives. Likewise,
to develop the vital and healthy project of its a country that aspires to be at the forefront
residents. Employment, preparatory training, needs a quality education system to achieve
the universal provision of social and health academic success and coordinated in a flexible
services and solidarity are keys. manner, able to adapt educational and training
contents to the qualifications required by the
— Formed by free and healthy citizens who live
employment market.
in peace, who are actively committed:
An active commitment is needed from all the — To preserve the welfare and quality of life of
men and women who are living for the first its inhabitants:
time in many years in freedom, peace and Changing the productive model is necessary
without violence, who are actively involved to continue being competitive. And we need
in healthy habits and living conditions both to be to maintain our quality of life and
in their daily social life and in their work finance our social and health protection
environment. The condition of healthy is system, and the new needs that arise with the
not limited to the absence of illness, but to change of demographic and social patterns,
the approach of the determining factors of which include the increased proportion of
health, including the prevalence of social, depended persons, the prevalence of chronic
environmental and working conditions that diseases and the growing diversity of cultural
allow a balanced development of the person. guidelines. It is not only a matter of resources

18 EcoEuskadi 2020 vision

but also of efficient management by the Public — Committed to developing the planet and its
Administration, avoiding administrative inhabitants:
duplication and avoiding the inequities of the The unsustainability of our traditional way of
system, with a vision of a country that knows life is a problem of planetary dimensions and
that it is ageing and that it must adapt to new implications. On the other hand, we can hardly
realities. be solidary behind closed doors by closing our
eyes to the inequalities and shortages of the
— Open to the world: most underprivileged countries. Developed
The dimension of the challenges and the fact countries, including the Basque Country, have
that they are shared by the whole developed acknowledged that they are jointly responsible
world, requires us to relinquish the temptation for international development.
to follow the path in isolation. The philosophy
of network cooperation is necessary to share Our purpose is moving in the same direction,
knowledge and accelerate progress. in other words, as the European Union in the
Europe 2020 Strategy: intelligent, sustainable and
— But protective of its cultural identity: integrating growth:
The Basque Country has a strong cultural
identity that is in itself an asset in a — Intelligent growth: developing a knowledge
globalised world. The globalisation and and innovation-based economy.
internationalisation of the economy must not
undermine the strengthening of idiosyncratic — Sustainable growth: promoting an economy
features that must also be an integrating that uses resources more efficiently, a green
factor in a society with a high percentage of and more competitive economy.
immigrants from other cultures.
— Integrating growth: building an economy with
— Its natural resources and biodiversity: a high level of employment that results in
The quality of the natural environment and economic, social and territorial cohesion.
biodiversity of the Basque Country, as well
These three priorities are mutually reinforcing
as contributing to the feeling of belonging
and offer an image of the social market economy in
and identity, is a natural asset that enriches
Europe for the 21st century.
the quality of life of citizens, therefore urban
development, communication channels or
productive activities must be compatible with
their conservation and development.

— To build an attractive future in which to
develop and cultivate human talent:
Overcoming the challenges that cast a cloud
over the perspectives of humanity is, on the
contrary, a source of hope able to arouse the
best efforts and values, responding to the
professional and life challenges of all people,
particularly our youth.


“Many current actions supposedly aimed at progress are
simply unsustainable, they entail too great a burden on
already scarce natural resources. These actions may be
useful in the balance sheets of our generation, but they
imply that our children will inherit losses.”

World Commission
on Environment and Development

Notwithstanding that the Strategy may “development is sustainable if it meets the needs
require direct action on many of the causes of of the present without compromising the ability of
unsustainability detected (e.g. substituting the future generations to meet their own needs”.
energy model based on fossil fuels), sustainable
development has much to do with the other way This is a concept with profound ethical
of designing policies or assessing actions. This importance. But it also highlights a scientific fact:
different way of designing policies entails a more that at a given time the global ecosystem has a
extensive analysis of their implications, both in limited load or assimilation capacity.
time and in space:
“Many current actions supposedly
— We must look at the repercussions in time, aimed at progress are simply unsustainable,
which may extend to future generations. they entail too great a burden on already
scarce natural resources. These actions
— We must analyse the implications beyond may be useful in the balance sheets of our
the direct impacts, including other fields generation, but they imply that our children
(economic, resources, social groups) and not will inherit losses.”
only those specific to the policy in question.
World Commission on
Environment and Development
It is therefore a matter of extending the
assessment in time and transversally in space and Consequently, each generation must take
to the stakeholders. responsibility for managing resources thinking
ahead, seeking a fair division of resources between
This broader focus is evident in the definition of
generations and regions of the world: each person
sustainable development itself, which is still valid
must have access to the necessary resources in this
since it was coined in the Brundtland Report:12
and coming generations.

12
Our Common Future. Report of the Brundtland Commission. United Nations, 1987.
21

In practice, analysing sustainability is neither and objectives established not only the Strategy
as obvious nor as simple. There are often gains for Sustainable Development, but also to other
in one aspect of the analysis but losses in one of agreements and strategies with a higher territorial
the others. The solution as a procedure requires a scope that involve the Basque Country.
detailed analysis of the different types of impact,
transparency in the assessment processes and the To do this, the cross-examination of solutions
participation of the stakeholders to find balanced between the different Organisms involved
solutions. should be incorporated from the early stages of
development of policies or actions plans. It must
To guide this process it is necessary to be ensured that important political decisions are
establish a clear series of basic principles to made on the basis of proposals whose economic,
guide policies and institutional leadership that social and environmental impact has been assessed
must be promoted from the highest levels of the in a transparent, participatory and interrelated
Public Administration. With this objective, the way. Ex post assessment of programmes also plays
following four basic principles are presented
an important role in understanding how their
from the start:
effectiveness and impact are applied to target
groups, such as the existence of possible collateral
A) Intergenerational responsibility effects.
(assuming responsibility for future
generations) Transparency in decision-making processes
and the participation of affected stakeholders
This principle directly entails that current needs are key to guarantee that possible conflicts of
must not be covered at the expense of depleting interest are compensated, helping that decision
non-renewable resources. On the other hand, made give due consideration to the perspective of
responsibility for the future also entails respecting sustainable development. Conflicts shown during
the principle of precaution (avoiding possible
the development process should be published, and
damage to health or the environment, even if no
the decisions made properly motivated.
definitive scientific evidence is available). Equally,
applying the polluter pays principle, so that
burdens are not transferred to other groups of the C) Balanced consideration of the
present or future generation. repercussions of each policy on
the threefold economic, social and
B) Incorporating the perspective of environmental dimension, ensuring that
sustainable development into the core balanced progress is made on all three
of all policies, improving coherence and pillars
coordination between the different Policy-making must include and assess the
departments and areas of sectoral threefold dimension of the objectives (ensuring a
policies comprehensive and holistic vision).
This principle means that sustainable
Notwithstanding the development of precise
development is not another sectoral policy. The
assessment methodologies and procedures,
key issue is that all associated departments
the balance and exchange between the three
and organisms incorporate the perspective
development pillars is such a delicate task that
of sustainability in the way they design and
only applying a strict principle of transparency
implement policies from the beginning.
will guarantee that the decisions are made after
As if logical, this perspective must be frank and open debate, and with a rigorous
incorporated according to the principle of examination of alternatives, easily understandable
coherence with the international commitments for the public and the main social agents and
undertaken, adapting the guidelines, rhythms entities.

22 guiding principlEs

D) Joint responsibility productive processes to generate as little impact on
their environment as possible and maximising the
Sustainable development is not a matter that value generated for society.
only concerns the general administration of
the Autonomous Region. Therefore it is basic Therefore, the sustainability of policies requires,
to promote associations and partnerships for (i) the collaboration of the different levels of
sustainable development among the different levels administration and (ii) the collaboration of the
of public administration, with social agents and the stakeholders and general public. The public
general public. understanding the different facets implicit
in problems of sustainability is an essential
Private companies and corporations, based on conditions to make progress in the solutions. A
the principle of corporate social responsibility strategy that does not include civil society in its
must also pay attention to sustainability in their approach will be necessarily limited and surely
strategies and ordinary operations, optimising unsuccessful.


Nine strategic objectives

The formulation of the vision shows a clear To reach this recognition, we must make substantial
strategic purpose: It is not merely about achieving progress towards a series of partial goals that are
sustainable development, but reaching a recognition also included in the Vision. Translated in terms of
of excellence in the balanced development of objectives upon which we can work, they can be
our living, economic, social and environmental divided into the following nine strategic objectives:
conditions.

01
tO POsitiOn thE
02tO COnsOlidatE a
03tO strEngthEn
basquE COuntry fully intEgrating and sOCial PrOtECtiOn systEMs
as an innOVatiVE, COhEsiVE basquE COuntry in OrdEr tO COntinuE
COMPEtitiVE, basEd On EMPlOyMEnt, guarantEEing
ECO-EffiCiEnt EduCatiOn, PrEVEntiOn harMOniOus, hEalthy
and OPEn ECOnOMy and sOlidarity and EquitablE
dEVElOPMEnt

04
tO PrEsErVE Our
05tO MiniMisE EnErgy
06tO dEVElOP a MOrE
natural rEsOurCEs dEPEndEnCE On sustainablE intEgratEd
and biOdiVErsity with fOssil-basEd EnErgiEs and MObility MOdEl that
rEsPECtful and balanCEd MitigatE grEEnhOusE gas faCilitatEs struCturing
Planning Of thE tErritOry, EMissiOns and thE EffECts thE inland tErritOry
infrastruCturEs, EquiPMEnt Of CliMatE ChangE and COnnECtiOn
and hOusing with thE ExtEriOr in
bEttEr COnditiOns Of
COMPEtitiVEnEss

07
tO build an EduCatiOn
08tO dEPlOy an
09tO COntributE frOM
and quality ValuEs innOVatiVE, EffiCiEnt, thE basquE COuntry
systEM, aiMEd at aCCEssiblE and tO MEEting thE
aChiEVing aCadEMiC transParEnt PubliC MillEnniuM gOals
suCCEss, flExiblE and adMinistratiOn and, in gEnEral, tO
adaPting EduCatiOnal thE sustainablE
and training COntEnts dEVElOPMEnt
tO thE qualifiCatiOns Of thE MOst
rEquirEd by thE jOb undErPriVilEgEd
MarkEt and sOCiEty COuntriEs
thrOughOut lifE,
inCluding sustainability
in all its diMEnsiOns
25

01 strategic Objective 1
tO POsitiOn thE basquE COuntry as an innOVatiVE, COMPEtitiVE,
ECO-EffiCiEnt and OPEn ECOnOMy

Nowadays, the Basque economy is open and competitive based on industrial production,
thanks to which we have reached the standard of living enjoying by the present generation,
and that has proven to be strong and have a capacity for recovery that is above the
other economies in its area. In the immediate future, increased global competition,
the globalisation that affects many tradable activities and the depletion of energy and
raw materials will lead us only being able to remain internationally competitive is we
develop efficient technologies and processes, which optimise energy resources and the
use of raw materials with a comprehensive product life cycle perspective. This requires
developing new, advanced knowledge, based on science and its technological applications,
which also increases added value per job post in a society in demographic stagnation
or regression; something that, since our recognition as a small country, will be easier to
achieve by cooperating with other countries in global networks than through autonomous
development at any cost.

tO COnsOlidatE a fully intEgrating and COhEsiVE basquE COuntry
basEd On EMPlOyMEnt, EduCatiOn, PrEVEntiOn and sOlidarity

Basque society has been characterised by its high level of social solidarity and large doses
of egalitarianism, having paid special attention to underprivileged minorities. The main factor
of social integration is undoubtedly a person’s access to quality employment in accordance
with their skills. For this, it is essential that the education system is designed to develop their
potential in an increasingly interactive, plural and open society. Appropriate employment and
motivating education must make it easier to exercise healthy and integrating habits. Access to
health and social services completes our welfare system, creating the framework that our society
has developed to ensure equitable integration of individuals. Changes in values, diversity of ways
of life and cultural standards and growing competition in the employment market can lead to
situations of risk or social exclusion to which our system must respond, adapting and improving
efficiency.


tO strEngthEn sOCial PrOtECtiOn systEMs in OrdEr tO COntinuE
guarantEEing harMOniOus, hEalthy and EquitablE dEVElOPMEnt

Social protection systems are developed to guarantee people decent living conditions in which
they can carry out their life project in a healthy way. Demographic changes, with the decrease
in birth rate and prolongation of life, generate new demands (increased dependence, prevalence
of chronic conditions) to which society must respond with formulas that affect both a more
efficient organisation of services and funding mechanisms. On the other hand, the reduction in
the workforce (employed or unemployed) and the increase in the inactive population (children,
students, unemployed who do not want to work, pensioners...) make the financial stability of the
system difficult. This will require us to adapt the systems from a dual perspective of income and
expenses to ensure the viability of the whole.

tO PrEsErVE Our natural rEsOurCEs and biOdiVErsity with rEsPECtful
and balanCEd Planning Of thE tErritOry, infrastruCturEs, EquiPMEnt
and hOusing

The expansion of urban activities (residential, productive and services), the multiplication of
transport infrastructures and the progressive abandoning of agricultural practices have required
a large consumption of land and fractioning natural habitats, which endangers the survival of our
biodiversity and introduces radical changes to the natural landscape. Human activities certainly
need land, but land must be managed as a valuable and scarce asset to be optimised, enabling
development according to its natural functions, minimising the impact on ecosystems and natural
resources.


tO MiniMisE EnErgy dEPEndEnCE On fOssil-basEd EnErgiEs and
MitigatE grEEnhOusE gas EMissiOns and thE EffECts Of CliMatE
ChangE

The prospect of depleting the current energy system based on fossil fuels, increases the
vulnerability of productive systems and consumption that, as is the case of the Basque Country,
have scarce supply sources. Increased price volatility in this market, stimulated by the increased
demand of the large developing economies and the political instability of oil producing countries,
make it necessary to evolve as quickly as possible towards a system based on renewable energies,
with a long-term perspective (2050) of practically completely substituting oil. This also works in
parallel on the fundamental causes that accelerate climate change.

tO dEVElOP a MOrE sustainablE intEgratEd MObility MOdEl that
faCilitatEs struCturing thE inland tErritOry and COnnECtiOn with
thE ExtEriOr in bEttEr COnditiOns Of COMPEtitiVEnEss

The Basque transport system relies mainly on private vehicles and road transport. Railway is
recovering positions in passenger transport but is limited to certain areas. Along with developing
the new high speed railway network, it is urgent to advance towards a comprehensive railway
system that provides service to the main areas of demand for mobility in the Basque Country,
which is integrating and complements other transport infrastructures (airports, ports, bus
stations), favouring intermodality and non-motorised transport and contributing to building
Euskal Metrópoli. On the other hand, road transport is one of the great consumers of fossil-based
energy, therefore without prejudice to vehicles evolving (reducing the maximum limit of emissions,
using biofuels, implementing electric vehicles, etc.) developing the railway network will reduce
consumption of oil by-products, decisively contributing to fulfilling objective 5.

28 stratEgic objEctivEs

07 Strategic Objective 7
TO build an educaTiOn and qualiTy valueS SySTem, aimed aT achieving
academic SucceSS, flexible and adapTing educaTiOnal and Training
cOnTenTS TO The qualificaTiOnS required by The jOb markeT and SOcieTy
ThrOughOuT life, including SuSTainabiliTy in all iTS dimenSiOnS

The education system, and the university in particular, is the key by which we must access the
knowledge necessary to face new challenges. The important feature is that the acceleration of
changes requires us to clearly assume the concept of learning throughout life. And as we are at the
frontier of knowledge, the new sustainable production systems require us to delve deep into the
world of research and science. Besides preserving the traditional values that the education system
must transmit, we must develop new values that promote innovation, collaboration and being
open to the world. But becoming part of the global world must not make us lose our roots nor our
history and way of being. On the contrary, it should serve to project a global dimension on to our
own culture.

TO deplOy an innOvaTive, efficienT, acceSSible and TranSparenT
public adminiSTraTiOn

We must move towards a new culture of Public Administration, to a form of governance
understood as a different way of making decisions, multiplying the places to make decisions
and the agents involved. Because the dimension of our challenges requires a new way of
managing solutions, with maximum participation and collaboration between different levels of
administration, and active participation of the public and stakeholders. It also requires us to
make it more efficient and agile, avoiding duplicating and overlapping powers, searching for ways
of collaborating with civil society that give new answers to new problems.

TO cOnTribuTe frOm The baSque cOunTry TO meeTing The
millennium gOalS and, in general, TO The SuSTainable
develOpmenT Of The mOST underprivileged cOunTrieS

Because the world will not be sustainable unless we assume our responsibilities for developing
the most underprivileged countries. The Basque Country has ratified the Millennium Declaration,
taking as its own the challenges of promoting international cohesion.


The strategic objectives proposed are directly the end of the diagnosis phase, as reflected in the
related the keys to sustainability identified at interrelation table below:

9 stratEgiC ObjECtiVEs 8 kEys tO sustainability

1. To position the Basque Country as an innovative, 1. Scarce natural resources and in the process of
competitive, eco-efficient and open economy depletion
3. Globalisation of competition
2. To consolidate a fully integrating and cohesive 4. Profound demographic changes
Basque Country based on employment, education, 5. Unbalanced generational change
prevention and solidarity
3. To strengthen social protection systems in order 4. Profound demographic changes
to continue guaranteeing harmonious, healthy 5. Unbalanced generational change
and equitable development
4. To preserve our natural resources and
biodiversity with respectful and balanced 1. Scarce natural resources and in the process of
planning of the territory, infrastructures, depletion
equipment and housing
5. To minimise energy dependence on fossil-based
energies and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions 2. Energy dependence and climate change
and the effects of climate change
6. To develop a more sustainable integrated
mobility model that facilitates structuring the
7. Unsustainable mobility and transport
inland territory and connection with the exterior
in better conditions of competitiveness
7. To build an education and quality values system,
aimed at achieving academic success, flexible and
adapting educational and training contents to
6. Fragility of a changing system of values13
the qualifications required by the job market and
society throughout life, including sustainability
in all its dimensions
1. Scarce natural resources and in the process of
8. To deploy an innovative, efficient, accessible and depletion
transparent Public Administration. 3. Globalisation of competition
6. Fragility of a changing system of values
9.To contribute from the Basque Country to
meeting the Millennium Goals and, in general,
8. Unequal international development
to the sustainable development of the most
underprivileged countries

13
Associating the objective with the key comes from the input of the participation process.

30 stratEgic objEctivEs

Moreover, and according to the three dimensions employment, education, prevention and
of sustainable development, these strategic solidarity», 3. « To strengthen social protection
objectives can be put into three groups of strategies: systems in order to continue guaranteeing
harmonious, healthy and equitable
— Strategies to advance towards a new
development», and 7. «To build an education
economic/productive model that considers
and quality values system, aimed at achieving
objectives 1. «To position the Basque Country
academic success, flexible and adapting
as an innovative, competitive, eco-efficient and
educational and training contents to the
open economy», and 5. «To minimise energy
qualifications required by the job market and
dependence on fossil-based energies and
society throughout life, including sustainability
mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and the
in all its dimensions».
effects of Climate change».
Set apart would be objectives 8. «To deploy an
— Strategies to achieve territorial and
environmental excellence. The objectives innovative, efficient, accessible and transparent
included in this group are objective 4. «To Public Administration, and to a lesser extent», 9. «To
preserve our natural resources and biodiversity contribute from the Basque Country to meeting the
with respectful and balanced planning of Millennium Goals and, in general, to the sustainable
the territory, infrastructures, equipment and development of the most underprivileged countries;
housing», and 6. «To develop a more sustainable both related to Governance and that could be
integrated mobility model that facilitates considered on another level given their impact on
structuring the inland territory and connection the three dimensions of sustainable development».
with the exterior in better conditions of
The strategic objectives will be object of
competitiveness».
measurement and monitoring using the Strategy
— Strategies for social cohesion and integration. Control Panel, which includes, in an integrating
Covers the areas of employment, education, and coherent manner, a set of indicators
social protection and health, and includes appropriate to reflect the progress made towards
objectives 2. «To consolidate a fully integrating greater sustainability of the economic, social and
and cohesive Basque Country based on environmental system.


To make progress in each strategic objective, a series
of lines of actions are developed involving all areas of
Government as well as other institutions and the general
public. These lines of action group a set of actions
according to their thematic affinity, with the exception
of economic, tax and regulatory instruments that are
assigned to the whole objective due to their impact and
differential nature.

The formulation and content of the lines of action
come from the proposals made throughout the open
participation process, as well as the different commissions
formed to develop the Strategy. The end result is the
coherent sum of the visions that make up Basque society.

33

Nine strategic objectives and 27 lines of action

strategic Objective 1. strategic Objective 3.
to position the basque Country as an to strengthen sOCial PrOtECtiOn
innovative, competitive, eco-efficient and systems in order to continue
open ECOnOMy guaranteeing harmonious, healthy and
equitable development of people

Line of action 1.1.
to promote an innovative, entrepreneurial and
technologically advance economy based on Line of action 3.1.
knowledge, creativity, cooperation and skills to design a global framework of active policies to
favour increased birth rate
Line of action 1.2.
to encourage the creation of green employment,
reducing consumption and productive dependence Line of action 3.2.
on raw or natural materials, turning sustainability to consolidate the fiscal sustainability of the
into a competitive advantage current welfare state (dependence, guaranteed
income, health)
Line of action 1.3.
to support the internationalisation of companies


to preserve our natural rEsOurCEs
to consolidate a fully integrating and and biodiversity with respectful and
cohesive basque Country based on balanced planning of the territory,
EMPlOyMEnt, education, prevention infrastructures, equipment and housing
and solidarity

Line of action 2.1. Line of action 4.1.
to ensure integration and social cohesion to promote a compact city model

to promote prevention, health promotion and to reduce pressure on ecosystems and natural
personal autonomy as well as equal access resources (soil, water, air and landscape), improving
to resources from a perspective of social the quality of the same
determinants

Line of action 4.3.
Line of action 2.3. to promote comprehensive rural development to
to promote specific, active employment policies preserve the natural values of the territory

34

strategic Objective 5.

to minimise energy dependence on
fossil-based energy and mitigate
greenhouse gas emissions and the effects
of CliMatE ChangE

Line of action 5.1.
to promote the improvement of energy efficiency
and reduce energy consumption
Line of action 5.2.
to promote the generation and use of renewable strategic Objective 8.
energies
to deploy an innovative, efficient,
Line of action 5.3. accessible and transparent PubliC
to mitigate climate change and develop adaptation adMinistratiOn
actions

Line of action 8.1.
to develop a more sustainable integrated to modernise public management, innovating
MObility model that facilitates mechanisms for relating with the public
structuring the inland territory and
connection with the exterior in better Line of action 8.2.
conditions of competitiveness
to reinforce the efficiency of the public
administration, revising its organisation and
distribution of powers, promoting intra and
Line of action 6.1. inter-institutional cooperation and strengthening
to promote more sustainable means of transport coordination mechanisms

to achieve accessibility in appropriate and to advance in social participation formulas and
safe mobility conditions, based on integrated public-private partnership
infrastructures and services

to build an EduCatiOn and quality values to contribute from the basque Country to
system, aimed at achieving academic success, meeting the MillEnniuM gOals and, in
flexible and adapting educational and training general, to the sustainable development of
contents to the qualifications required by the most underprivileged countries
the job market and society throughout life,
including sustainability in all its dimensions

Line of action 7.1.
to develop a training system that provides the
skills required for professional and social life Line of action 9.1.
throughout life, including sustainability to actively contribute to the sustainable
development of third world countries through
cooperation projects
Line of action 7.2.
to promote training in values, particularly values
related to sustainability
Line of action 9.2.
to promote responsible trade and tourism with
Line of action 7.3. developing countries
to promote the international projection of basque
culture and the elements that define our identity

35

to position the basque Country as an innovative, competitive,
eco-efficient and open ECOnOMy

Line of action 1.1.
to promote an innovative, entrepreneurial and technologically advance
economy based on knowledge, creativity, cooperation and skills

Transforming the current productive system requires innovating the current processes and
making our companies more competitive, as well as committing to developing emerging sectors
that are less dependent in terms of scarce and non-renewable materials and resources. Sectors
of the future considered to be strategic are health services, ICTs and electronics, social services,
energy and biosciences.

But advancing towards a dematerialised, low-carbon economy requires us to go beyond current
frontiers of knowledge, giving a strong impetus to scientific knowledge and its applications, in
new materials for example. All this requires equally large doses of creativity entrepreneurship.

To achieve this we depend on generating basic knowledge applied to excellence, for which it
is essential to continue consolidating the Basque knowledge network, more closely approaching
universities, companies, technological centres and the mediators in R&D&I that make up the
Basque Science, Technology and Innovation Network (RVCTI).

But it is not only necessary to acquire higher levels of technological knowledge: we must
equally make progress in transforming organisations inwardly, establishing more advanced
business and organisation management models to make them more receipt to innovation in all
its dimensions.

These are processes that are being worked on in all the countries in the developed world. Now
more than ever it is crucial to participate in these international knowledge exchanges. Along with
the internationalisation of our professionals, it is advisable to reach and project the image of
an advanced, innovative and attractive country. This will make it easier to introduce benchmark
centres of knowledge, attracting talent and activities from abroad.

Although scientific development is often associated with clean technologies and more
sophisticated industrial development, new social demands related to demographic evolution also
open vast prospects for business development in the field of caring for the elderly and dependent,
with a host of adaptive technologies that facilitate functional autonomy and quality of life.

Within this set of actions the following are particularly relevant:

1. Supporting sustainable emerging sectors, particularly the renewable energies industry.
2. Consolidating the Basque Science, Technology and Innovation Network.
3. Improving the competitiveness of the productive industry through innovation3. Mejora de la
competitividad del tejido productivo a través de la innovación.

36 linEs of action

eco-efficient and open ECOnOMy

Line of action 1.2.
to encourage the creation of green employment, reducing consumption and
productive dependence on raw or natural materials, turning sustainability into
a competitive advantage

With no need to go beyond the barriers of knowledge there is ample room for improving
sustainability by reducing consumption and productive dependence, incorporating an
environmental perspective into the design process, considering the whole life cycle of a product
—from design to elimination— seeking maximum efficiency in the consumption of materials and
energy. Thus sustainability becomes a competitive advantage.

At the same time, reusing products and recovering waste open new opportunities for business
and creating green employment. This requires the support of a regulatory framework that
internalises external costs and long-term costs, which often the markets themselves are unable
to convert into signals for the productive sector.

Economic factors may also become conducive to forming local markets, both in quality
agricultural products and energy microgeneration, in which value is placed on local production
that is globally competitive for economies of proximity, reducing logistics and transport costs.
The end result is the creation of wealth and promoting local economies, boosted by encouraging
intrapreneurship through business cooperation and forming innovative environments on a
regional level.

In all these processes and in terms of demand, public awareness interactively plays the role
of a lever to generate market by applying policies on corporate social responsibility and social
clauses in the productive sector. Information and awareness-raising for action are key elements
to generate responsible consumers who value and distinguish superior, environmentally friendly
products and the lack of natural resources.


4. Boosting Innovation and Eco-design linked to material efficiency from the perspective of the
life cycle of the product.
5. Recovering waste and reusing materials.
6. Boosting local economies that benefit from competitive advantages based on short proximity
circuits.


eco-efficient and open economy

Line of action 1.3.
to support the internationalisation of companies

However, supporting the generation of local markets does not annul the marked trend to the
globalisation of economic activity, which goes beyond approaching client markets. Globalisation
implies a distribution of productive chain activities to achieve optimum use of both material
and human resources. Consequently, progress towards an innovative, entrepreneurial and
technologically advanced economy, based on Knowledge, Creativity, Cooperation and Skills (line
1.1. above) also implies progressing towards the internationalisation of the system, both of
companies and organisations and, in particular, of the knowledge system itself.

Consequently, beyond supporting the diversification of geographic and sector destinations of
our exports, it is pertinent to support business internationalisation processes. Special attention
must be paid to small and medium enterprises that may require inclusion in programmes for
support from driving companies and, above all, the creation of common infrastructures and
business networks set up in different countries to facilitate implementation, sharing knowledge
and experiences on the country and its markets.

It is obvious to add that globalisation requires companies to have people with the appropriate
professional and social attitudes and aptitudes to manage cultural diversity and act in open
economies.

Reciprocally, this professional training will also contribute to building a country that is
open to the world, boosting the image of an attractive country that facilitates attracting talent,
promotes tourism and the implementation of activities from abroad, including knowledge
generation centres.

7. Promoting the internationalisation of the Science and Technology system.
8. Creating industrial estates in rapidly growing countries such as Brazil, India or China.
9. Grant programmes for training in internationalisation processes.

Transforming the productive system is an arduous process that requires appropriate financial
resources as well as reinforcing market signals or indicators. Hence it is considered important to
highlight the role that must be played by two instruments:

10. Mobilisation of long-term financial resources and other sources of risk capital and
long-term credit to redirect production towards sustainability (clean technologies, new
materials and new sectors).
11. redirecting the tax system, incorporating significant and increasing criteria of green
taxation.

38 linEs of action

Basque sustainable development strategy 2020

Basque sustainable development strategy 2020

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