Formentera renews pact with Aliança Mar Blava

Two Formentera Council officials —President Jaume Ferrer and environment secretary Daisee Aguilera— met in the administration's hall of ceremonies today with a pair of Aliança Mar Blava representatives —Chairwoman Sandra Benbeniste and Secretary Flor dell'Agnolo— to extend the two entities' partnership another year.

Ferrer highlighted the importance of Aliança Mar Blava's efforts to stop petroleum prospections —“a fight that continues today”, he said, “particularly with projects still ahead on the horizon”. Speaking on behalf of the administration, he also voiced his hope any future projects would meet a prompt end. Ferrer described the Council's long-standing relationship with Aliança Mar Blava as “key to winning a strong consensus” when the Formentera Council presents comments on the Govern balear's newest climate-change legislation—a law Formentera officials believe is crucial to promoting renewable energy.

Sandra Benbeniste thanked the Formentera Council for its support mobilising an effort that blocked five potentially destructive projects in the Mediterranean and the Balearics. “Administrations, civil society, political parties and businesses, everyone contributed”she said, adding that, “it's a satisfying moment. When we're united, we get where we need to go”. Benbeniste pointed to a bid currently afoot for legislation to keep the Mediterranean prospection-free and block new projects, “like in France and other places in the world”.

Circling back to Ferrer's remarks earlier, Benbeniste spoke about a second goal—renewable energies—and “drawing on our strength to create consensus and get a deal on renewables”. “Our job here”, said the chairwoman, “is to make sure people are informed about the new climate-change law, give our review of it, and —especially— support it, because we think it's important this gets broad acceptance”.

Under today's deal, the first in 2018 between Aliança Mar Blava and the Council, the Council pledges €6,000—one thousand more than Formentera's commitment in 2017.