European Environment and Sustainable Development Advisory Councils | Bodies

- Transition towards a new model of electricity system. A sustainable perspective;
- Second report on Climate change in Catalonia (by the Catalan Expert Group on Climate Change, promoted by CADS);
- Potential use of electric vehicle.
- ECOTURCAT: Ecotourism in Catalonia;
- Water resources management under scarcity;
- Promoting public participation in land-use planning;
- Possible application of Payment for Environmental Services schemes;
- The Catalan Government will promote the elaboration of the Sustainable Development Strategy of Catalonia during 2009, and CADS will assess the process.

Forthcoming publications of reports finished in previous years:
- Analysis of the Energy Metabolism of the Catalan Economy (2007) (May 2009).
- Tools for the prevention of urban waste in Catalonia (June 2009; in Catalan)
- Sustainability and Local Finances (September 2009; in Catalan)
- Society and Public Participation: Environmental Justice in Catalonia (in Catalan)

Special events:
In 2009 CADS celebrates its 10 years anniversary. Some special dissemination activities were organized throughout the year, with the slogan "Present to keep the future":
- An Open event in June presenting a book and a short film about the 10 years of history;
- A three day seminar 14-16 October entitled “Challenges for sustainability of Catalonia” to discuss important issues evaluated and assessed by CADS during the last ten years (climate change, natural risks, energy, urban environment, sustainable tourism, etc).
- An event in Barcelona the 2-3 November (held in English) entitled “Climate Change: the effects on security and peace”, in which CADS was strongly involved. It is an international seminar, held in the context of the last preparatory COP previous to Copenhagen summit, in collaboration with the Foundation Culture of Peace. The event featured many interesting speakers, e.g. the Vice-president of Catalonia Mr. Josep-Lluís Carod-Rovira, and the former UN General Secretary Mr. Kofi Anan.

For this occasion a website has been released where more info can be found: www.reptessostenibilitat.cat (in Catalan).

Background and Mission

Establishment

CADS was founded in December 1998 by means of Decree 311/1998, 1st December, creating the Advisory Council for Sustainable Development of Catalonia; DOGC number 2784 - 11-12-1998; modified through Decree 256/2000, 4th July 2000.

Mission

Functions of the Advisory Council for the Sustainable Development of Catalonia (CADS):

Council Members

CADS has 15 Council Members, chaired by the president of the council, all of them independent experts from different disciplines and fields. The Council is attached to the Vicepresidency Department. The CADS members are appointed by the Council president for two years (and then they can be appointed for two additional years). The Council was partially renewed in 2009.

President Prof. Gabriel Ferraté	Former Chancellor of the Open University of Catalonia
Vice-President Manel Gausa	Architect (PhD) President of the Scientific Council of the Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia
Members Josep Alabern	General Manager Aigües de Manresa S.A. President of the Industrial Engineers Association of Central Catalonia
Prof. Martí Boada	Professor of Environmental Sciences at the University of Barcelona President of the Board of Directors of the Natural Park of Alt Pirineu
Dr. Purificació Canals	Biologist. (PhD) Vice-President of UICN President of the environmental NGO DEPANA (League for the Defence of Natural Resources)
Dra. Isabel Cacho	Geologist (PhD) Research Group on Marine Geosciences at the University of Barcelona
Dr. Marcel Coderch	Telecommunications and Information Science Engineer Vice-President of the Telecommunications Market Commission Secretary of the Association for Energy Resources Research
Dr. Teresa Franquesa	Biologist (PhD); Director of Strategy, Environmental Department at the Barcelona City Council
Prof. Anna Ma. Geli	Chancellor of the University of Girona Professor of Experimental Sciences at the University of Girona
Dr. Carles Ibáñez	Biologist (PhD) Director of Aquatic Ecosystems Program at the Agrifood Research and Technology Institute (IRTA)
Prof. Carme Llasat	Professor of Physics at the University of Barcelona Director of the Research Group Analysis of Adverse Meteorological Situations (UB)
Prof. Josep Enric Llebot	Professor of Physics at the Autonomous University of Barcelona Former Scientific Secretary of the Institute of Catalan Studies
Prof. Joandomènec Ros	Professor of Ecology at the University of Barcelona
Dr. Josep Maria Serena	Industrial Engineer Managing director of AUMA CONSULTORES EN MEDIO AMBIENTE I ENERGÍA, SL and president of the environmental commission at the Industrial Engineers Association
Dr. Carme Valls	Medical doctor on Internal Medicine and Endocrinology President of the Centre for Analysis of Healthcare Programmes (CAPS)

Staff members

The CADS has a secretariat with around six staff members. Ramon Arribas is the Director.

Work style

Substructure of council

There are no formal groups or sections. However, there is the possibility to create specific commissions when the Council elaborates its reports.

Council meetings

The Council plenary meets every one and a half months. The 2010 meetings are scheduled for 19 January, 2 March, 13 April, 1 June, 6 July, 21 September, 9 November, 14 December.

Type of Advice

The Council gives advice regarding general policy guidelines, laws and planning tools in those fields related to sustainable development, both on request of the government and other administrative units, and on its own initiative.
In the case of mobility and transport planning, the law establishes the need for a compulsory report from CADS before the plan can be approved. Furthermore, the CADS is often considered an "involved stakeholder" in the so-called strategic environmental assessment (SEA) processes regarding plans and programs related to sustainable development.
Moreover, the Council has as objectives the promotion of "the culture of sustainability" to the Catalan society. Therefore, the CADS promotes research and innovation for sustainable development, it proposes information, dissemination and education activities, and contributes to strategic thinking on sustainable development of Catalonia.

Activities in the EEAC Network

List of Selected Publications

You can find the full list of policy advice in the EEAC Search Engine which also contains the titles in English of publications only available in original language. Visit also the full list of reports and publications at the CADS' web page (www.gencat.cat/cads).

Advisory Council for the Sustainable Development of Catalonia

Consell Assessor per al Desenvolupament Sostenible de Catalunya (CADS)

Current and Future Activities

Priority Fields (general)

Current Priority Fields (2010)

Past priority fields (2009)