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Benidorm's bars and restaurants are being held up as a climate change model for the rest of Spain
More than 140 establishments have joined a national sustainability initiative and the data behind their efforts is striking
Benidorm doesn't always get credit for taking things seriously, but when it comes to sustainability, the numbers tell a compelling story. More than 143 bars, restaurants and cafés in the city and surrounding area have joined Hospitality #ForClimate, a national initiative that connects the hospitality sector with practical tools to reduce its environmental impact. A report presented at a city event on Monday placed Benidorm firmly at the front of the pack.The figures come from a survey of 102 local establishments that completed a detailed 29-question audit covering water use, energy efficiency, waste management, carbon footprint and responsible sourcing. In total, 1,847 individual measures were identified and implemented across those businesses.
Some of the headline findings are genuinely impressive. Every single establishment surveyed recycles glass, paper and cardboard, and 99% use LED lighting throughout, cutting energy consumption by up to 90% compared to traditional bulbs. Perhaps most striking is that 99% of establishments work exclusively with local suppliers, a decision that significantly reduces the carbon footprint associated with food transport. And 96% carry out regular maintenance to prevent leaking taps and toilets, a seemingly small detail that adds up fast given that a single leaking toilet can waste 200,000 litres of water a year.
Ana Mastral, who leads the project at ECODES, was effusive about what she found. "Benidorm is at the forefront of change," she said. "You are a benchmark for national tourism, and now you must be role models for the rest of the hospitality industry in Spain, because you are doing many things, and doing them very well, to serve as an example for other destinations."
Jorge Olcina, professor at the University of Alicante, went further, describing Benidorm as "an example of intelligent water management for all of Europe," noting that it is "one of the municipalities that has best understood sustainability and implemented climate change adaptation and mitigation measures."
Mayor Toni Pérez closed the event by framing the city's approach in characteristically direct terms. "Benidorm is the city that changes even when nothing else changes," he said, adding that "the involvement of 143 establishments in these climate actions is truly commendable."Environment councillor Mónica Gómez pointed to the local sourcing commitment as the detail that stood out most for her. "Hoteliers are prioritising local suppliers and locally sourced products over their bottom line," she said, "which I think is a fantastic summary of what Benidorm has been doing in terms of sustainability in recent years." She also noted that sustainability is not a new concept for the city, which has both a Climate Change Adaptation Plan and a Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plan, and was named Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism by the European Commission in 2025. The city is also a finalist for the European Green Leaf award for 2028, for the second time.
The Hospitality #ForClimate initiative was launched in 2017 and now counts more than 21,500 establishments across Spain, having collectively carried out over 365,000 climate actions.
Image: Ayuntamiento de Benidorm
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