Recent extreme rainfall and flooding in Portugal and Spain have tested the resilience of territories, businesses, and destinations. At Biosphere, we analyze the impact of these climate events, the role of sustainability in climate change adaptation, and the importance of building more resilient and responsible management models.
Over the past week, several regions of Portugal and Spain have been affected by extreme rainfall and flooding that have caused significant damage to infrastructure, homes, businesses, and natural areas. Entire municipalities have had to alter their normal operations, many people have been forced to temporarily leave their homes, and many small and medium-sized enterprises are now facing a complex recovery process.
From the Responsible Tourism Institute (RTI) and from Biosphere, we would like to express our solidarity with all affected territories and, in a very special way, with the businesses, destinations, and entities that are part of the Biosphere community and have been directly impacted by these extreme climate events.
Flooding in Portugal and Spain has had a significant impact on the local economic fabric, especially on those businesses committed to sustainable management models and responsible development.
To all organizations that are part of the Biosphere certification (businesses and destinations) that have seen their operations, facilities, or projects affected, we want to convey a clear message: you are not alone.
Behind every business are people, families, workers, and communities who, through effort and commitment, promote more responsible, resilient development models aligned with the principles of sustainability. In times like these, it is essential to recognize this work and support those who are now facing a particularly delicate situation.
From Biosphere, we remain in continuous contact with local teams in Portugal and Spain, assessing how we can contribute, within our capacities, to the support processes arising from this situation.
The extreme rainfall that has affected the Iberian Peninsula is not an isolated event. It is part of a well-documented global trend: the increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events as a consequence of climate change.
These episodes highlight an undeniable reality:
Natural disasters remind us that moving toward a more sustainable model is not an aspirational option, but the only effective response to an increasingly demanding environmental context.
For years, the Biosphere community has been promoting practices that strengthen the climate resilience of tourism businesses and destinations, helping to reduce their vulnerability to extreme events such as recent flooding.
These practices include:
It is in difficult moments like these that the value of this prior work is put to the test, because every business and every destination that commits to sustainability becomes stronger, more adaptable, and better prepared to face climate crises.
The recovery of the affected territories will require time, cooperation, and joint effort. However, it also represents an opportunity to rebuild better, by embracing more sustainable, innovative models aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
From Biosphere, we will continue to:
We remain committed to a development model that leaves no one behind and strengthens the capacity of territories to face present and future environmental challenges.
To all the people, businesses, destinations, and organizations that have suffered the consequences of extreme rainfall in Portugal and Spain, we send all our strength, support, and solidarity.
Your resilience, your effort, and your commitment to sustainability inspire the entire Biosphere community. We will stand by you in the processes ahead, supporting every step toward recovery.