Spanish budget to up water and climate spending

Draft budget proposals for 2008 announced in the Spanish parliament last week include a nine per cent rise in direct environment ministry spending and an extra 29 per cent in funds designated for investment in water infrastructure and management.

The government’s ongoing Agua desalination-building programme (EED 11/01/07) and a newer wastewater treatment plan will account for the lion’s share of almost €4.5 billion earmarked for water projects in 2008. Other priority spending areas are climate change - with €150 million allocated for additional investment in Spain’s carbon fund - plus fire prevention and coastal protection.