Papers by Alvaro Enríquez de Salamanca
The populations of Juniperus communis in Central Spain have been analysed, concluding with the pr... more The populations of Juniperus communis in Central Spain have been analysed, concluding with the presence of J. communis subsp. communis and subsp. alpina, and defining a hybrid between them, nothosubsp. intermedia (Schur) comb. nova. We also detect isolated individuals of J. × souliei.
The transport sector is one of the main sources of greenhouse gases, adding in Spain near a quart... more The transport sector is one of the main sources of greenhouse gases, adding in Spain near a quarter of the total national emissions, the majority in road transport. Therefore, road contribution to climate change should be mitigated to achieve the proposed goals in the fight against climate change. Policies and strategies suggest several preventive mitigation options, but have paid little attention to compensatory mitigation. We have conducted a theoretical case study in a Spanish province, Segovia, estimating the carbon dioxide emissions in the road network between 2015 and 2050, and analysing different compensation possibilities through conservation agriculture, agroforestry, afforestation and hedgerow plantation. We have calculated carbon sequestration in the reference period and costs per tonne for each option, estimating the budget range of offsetting road carbon emission, and funding possibilities, especially through fuel taxes. The paper demonstrates that offsetting carbon emissions produced by roads in this area is technically possible and highly desirable, unifying carbon sequestration, biodiversity improvement and rural development. The main challenge is funding, which depends largely on the political will and the awareness of the citizens.
This paper discusses project splitting in environmental impact assessment (EIA), investigating th... more This paper discusses project splitting in environmental impact assessment (EIA), investigating the current state of knowledge through literature, legislation, case-law and practice, discussing problems and providing solutions. The focus is on Spain, but many of the conclusions are applicable worldwide. Project splitting is a much more common practice than generally accepted. The main efforts have been focused on preventing salami-slicing as a mechanism to avoid the EIA, but it is a much more complex problem, with different ways of splitting and reasons for doing so. Measures to avoid this practice should include strengthening the strategic environmental assessment, a greater involvement of the approval authority, specific prohibitions in regulations, using case-by-case examinations instead of thresholds, compulsory scoping and avoid the exclusion of project parts during the EIA.
Most of the projects subject to environmental impact assessment (EIA) are closely related to clim... more Most of the projects subject to environmental impact assessment (EIA) are closely related to climate change, as
they contribute to or are affected by it. The growing certainty about climate change and its impacts makes its consideration
an essential part of the EIA process, as well as in strategic environmental assessment (SEA).
This paper examines how climate change (CC) has been taken into account in EIA in Spain through the analysis of
1713 environmental records of decision (RODs) of projects submitted for EIA. In 2013 Spain approved one of the
most advanced laws in terms of CC consideration in environmental assessment, although it had not yet accumulated
extensive practice on the issue. This contrastswith the situation of countries like Canada or the USA, which
have a significant body of experience without specific legal requirements.
Only 14% of the RODs analysed included references to CC, and inmore than half of the cases itwas a mere citation.
Thermal power plants, which are subject to specific GHG regulations, show the highest consideration, while
transport infrastructures, which are important contributors to CC, show a very low consideration. Almost all
the references are related to their contribution to CC, while consideration of the effects of CC is minimal.
The increasingly common incorporation of CC into SEA, should not imply its exclusion from EIA, because both
processes have different aims and uses. Including the obligation to consider CC in the EIA regulations is highly desirable,
but probably not enough without other measures, such as practical guidance, training and motivational
programmes for practitioners and evaluators. But even these actions cannot ensure effective and adequate assessments
of CC. Probably more resources should be spent on creating greater awareness in all the agents involved
in EIA.
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Papers by Alvaro Enríquez de Salamanca
they contribute to or are affected by it. The growing certainty about climate change and its impacts makes its consideration
an essential part of the EIA process, as well as in strategic environmental assessment (SEA).
This paper examines how climate change (CC) has been taken into account in EIA in Spain through the analysis of
1713 environmental records of decision (RODs) of projects submitted for EIA. In 2013 Spain approved one of the
most advanced laws in terms of CC consideration in environmental assessment, although it had not yet accumulated
extensive practice on the issue. This contrastswith the situation of countries like Canada or the USA, which
have a significant body of experience without specific legal requirements.
Only 14% of the RODs analysed included references to CC, and inmore than half of the cases itwas a mere citation.
Thermal power plants, which are subject to specific GHG regulations, show the highest consideration, while
transport infrastructures, which are important contributors to CC, show a very low consideration. Almost all
the references are related to their contribution to CC, while consideration of the effects of CC is minimal.
The increasingly common incorporation of CC into SEA, should not imply its exclusion from EIA, because both
processes have different aims and uses. Including the obligation to consider CC in the EIA regulations is highly desirable,
but probably not enough without other measures, such as practical guidance, training and motivational
programmes for practitioners and evaluators. But even these actions cannot ensure effective and adequate assessments
of CC. Probably more resources should be spent on creating greater awareness in all the agents involved
in EIA.
they contribute to or are affected by it. The growing certainty about climate change and its impacts makes its consideration
an essential part of the EIA process, as well as in strategic environmental assessment (SEA).
This paper examines how climate change (CC) has been taken into account in EIA in Spain through the analysis of
1713 environmental records of decision (RODs) of projects submitted for EIA. In 2013 Spain approved one of the
most advanced laws in terms of CC consideration in environmental assessment, although it had not yet accumulated
extensive practice on the issue. This contrastswith the situation of countries like Canada or the USA, which
have a significant body of experience without specific legal requirements.
Only 14% of the RODs analysed included references to CC, and inmore than half of the cases itwas a mere citation.
Thermal power plants, which are subject to specific GHG regulations, show the highest consideration, while
transport infrastructures, which are important contributors to CC, show a very low consideration. Almost all
the references are related to their contribution to CC, while consideration of the effects of CC is minimal.
The increasingly common incorporation of CC into SEA, should not imply its exclusion from EIA, because both
processes have different aims and uses. Including the obligation to consider CC in the EIA regulations is highly desirable,
but probably not enough without other measures, such as practical guidance, training and motivational
programmes for practitioners and evaluators. But even these actions cannot ensure effective and adequate assessments
of CC. Probably more resources should be spent on creating greater awareness in all the agents involved
in EIA.