How is ClientEarth working to save nature in the Mediterranean?

What are the main projects you work on at ClientEarth?

“In my role at ClientEarth, I work to establish interesting synergies, developing strategic litigation and advocacy to protect terrestrial, freshwater and marine wildlife and habitats in the EU and other countries. 

Working from ClientEarth's Spanish office, I have been building a team of fantastic lawyers and lead an important line of legal work in the Mediterranean, to which we are so connected. The twin crises of global warming and biodiversity loss are, and will be, stronger in the Mediterranean than in other regions, which is why it is a priority area for us. 

Furthermore, the Mediterranean is one of the biodiversity hotspots of the planet. For example: We have cases against new oil and gas exploration and exploitation in the seas off Greece, and in the Adriatic in Italy, which affect very important areas for whales, dolphins and sea turtles, as well as worsening global warming. 

Working with groups in Portugal, the UK and the Netherlands, we launched a lawsuit to stop the plans to build Lisbon's new airport on the Tagus Estuary, Portugal’s most important wetland and a crucial safe haven in Europe for hundreds of thousands of migratory birds on their route to Africa. Following our litigation and public outcry from scientists and citizens, discussions on an alternative site are ongoing.

We also work to tackle pollution from the unsustainable use of agricultural pesticides and nitrates in Spain, France and Italy. 

We work on cases to curb destructive trawling in marine protected areas, overfishing and bycatch, and to achieve the European and international target of at least 30% of the Mediterranean effectively protected by 2030.”

What work are you most proud of from your time at ClientEarth so far? What’s its impact? 

“One line of work that I consider important and urgent, is the effects that human impacts, aggravated by climate change, are having on water, both marine and fresh, and all its ecosystems. This is a key area of work for ClientEarth in Spain and the Mediterranean. 

For example, in relation to freshwater, there is a major problem of pollution and overexploitation of rivers and aquifers, which aggravate the effects of droughts and climate change. It is also key to work for the protection and recovery of Mediterranean wetlands, true jewels of nature, but in very poor condition due to human activities, aggravated by climate change. 

In Spain we have dramatic situations in very valuable areas such as Daimiel, Doñana, the Mar Menor, etc. Applying effective measures to adapt to climate change is necessary, and at ClientEarth, in collaboration with other organisations and numerous experts, we have just reviewed these legal aspects and case studies in detail in a recent report that we have disseminated and shared with the Spanish and European authorities. 

As for the ocean, the Mediterranean is, according to the FAO, the most overexploited sea in the world. So, we are working not only for more sustainability in EU fisheries policy, but also to achieve the European and international target that by 2030 at least 30% of the Mediterranean will be effectively protected, which is not only beneficial for marine biodiversity, but also increases fisheries productivity and sustainability.”

Why are partnerships important to your work and to achieving our goals?

“At ClientEarth we work in an interconnected and collaborative way with many other organisations and experts. 

We are lawyers and experts from many countries sharing legal strategies, experience and knowledge to create impact at a global level, in our priority areas.  We work hand-in-hand with scientists and experts, supporting scientific arguments with legal arguments. 

We look for legal precedents and innovative legal responses that can be replicated and connected across regions and countries. Working in partnership and collaboratively is key for us."

Why did you want to become an environmental lawyer? 

“I grew up in a small village in Spain, always close to nature. My homeland, La Mancha, is a very dry and flat area, we have immense skies, horizons and sunlight, but there the rivers, the seas, the trees and the cycles of nature have always seemed like a miracle to me. When I moved to cities to study law and later to work as a lawyer, I realised how important this connection to nature was for me and for others. I became a lawyer to help others, contribute to resolving conflicts and to protect something I love as much as nature. 

I joined ClientEarth 5 years ago, but before that I worked for 15 years as a litigation lawyer defending and protecting biodiversity and water in Spain for the main environmental organisations, mainly BirdLife Spain. I chose this career after working in private law practice and holding senior positions in public administration.  As a lawyer, I decided to join the side of nature, and with this in mind, I set up my own law firm and worked on numerous cases to protect birds, rivers and forests from destruction by major infrastructure and unsustainable human activities. I also worked on legislation to improve environmental justice, water and biodiversity protection. And I have been an activist in setting up national and international groups to protect rivers and aquatic ecosystems.

After joining ClientEarth my work also expanded into the marine field, which has allowed me to continue to grow as a lawyer.”

What do you think is the greatest hurdle to achieving legal change in Spain? How are we approaching this challenge?

“I believe that one of our main objectives is to contribute to responding to the double challenge of global warming and biodiversity loss throughout the planet, and specifically, from Spain, to these challenges in the Mediterranean. 

One of the main obstacles to achieving the necessary legal changes in Spain and other countries is the lack of sufficient means for the proper implementation and enforcement of environmental laws. I believe that the role of companies and corporations in this change is particularly important, as is the establishment of the appropriate legislation. 

As environmental lawyers, it is important to contribute from our field, the Law, to the necessary changes in the legal, economic, and energy systems, and in the use of land and oceans, to restore the balance between our needs and those of the natural world. 

For me, it is particularly motivating to contribute to ensuring that biodiversity and its protection is seen, valued and protected as the enormous wealth it is for the planet, and for all of us.”

What gives you hope for the future?

“I am hopeful that human beings can move towards a future where there is real progress and development for all, with justice and equity: in this future, we will use clean energy and have curbed global warming, breathe quality air, produce healthy food for all by curbing agricultural and industrial pollution, soil degradation, overfishing, plastic pollution. 

At least 30% of the oceans will be protected, providing enormous ecological and economic benefits; we will once again have amazing and vibrant biodiversity, marine and terrestrial, clean and strong rivers, recovering populations of fish, whales, dolphins, birds, insects and wildlife.”

If you could share one message to the public regarding your work what would it be? 

“Protecting and restoring our planet's biodiversity is essential for humans to regain balance in our relationship with the Earth. And also to contribute to social justice and authentic development. 

I believe that to achieve this we need all of us, not only environmentalists, scientists and activists, but also lawyers and jurists, economists, entrepreneurs, investors, teachers, artists, anyone with hope in human beings and in our capacity to learn from mistakes, move forward, and create new opportunities for all.”