One of the monuments of the city’s ancient past, the Roman baths of Sant Boi de Llobregat are a reminder of the part that nature has always played in the health and wellbeing of its urban residents. Fast forward around 2,000 years, and the city’s re-emphasis on these values is being recognised, seeing Sant Boi has shortlisted the EU Green Leaf Award. This is an acknowledgement of the efforts the city has been making in nature conservation, sustainable urban planning, and innovative environmental practices.
Part of the Barcelona Metropolitan Area sitting at the crossroads of the Llobregat and Coastal Axes, near the Port and Airport, the city is a gateway to the Delta of Llobregat and a model of equilibrium between greening and development.
A natural setting
Set between a river, forests, and farmland, Sant Boi is keenly aware of the importance of the natural world, and has implemented its environmental policies accordingly. “We’ve harnessed our natural assets to drive our commitment to sustainability and to ensure that these resources are preserved for future generations,” says Natalia Moreno Gámiz, European Projects and International Relations Manager in Sant Boi’s local government.
This is seen to be reflected in the quality of the air within the city, which consistently logs in at 24.2 μg/m³, well beneath the legal limit. Sant Boi de Llobregat’s vision for 2024 aims to deliver greater sustainability, health, and resilience, and includes a focus on youth and innovation.
Its location in a delta and its dense urban setting render Sant Boi a very sensitive zone for climate change. The local Climate Adaptation Plan outlines several strategies to protect locals from the predicted effects, including green and blue infrastructure – that is, plants and water – to increase comfort and reduce heat.
The city has developed 40 hectares of new urban green spaces between 2015 and 2022, selecting vegetation that requires low maintenance and minimal water, while also improving surface area quality. Sustainable urban drainage systems have been incorporated into urbanisation projects to increase permeability and reduce water runoff into the sewage system.
Our goal is that every resident can find a climate refuge within a 10-minute walk from any public facility
As part of the plan, eight heat shelters have been created, using natural thermal regulation through water, vegetation, and permeable ground to offer cooling relief. “Our goal is that every resident can find a climate refuge within a 10-minute walk from any public facility,” says Moreno Gámiz, “all the more important in a future of increasing temperatures and extreme events.” The city is also greening schoolyards, integrating them into this network of climate shelters, and expanding other urban green spaces to provide heat relief.
In addition to these measures, Sant Boi is promoting the use of local biomass for energy. A new biomass boiler, with a power capacity of 500 kW, heats an area of 7,800 m², including a 25-meter heated indoor pool. This installation saves 100,000 m³ of natural gas annually, cutting 200 tons of CO₂ emissions each year. The city has also invested over €2 million in refurbishing 135 residential buildings to improve climate resilience, a move expected to reduce carbon emissions by 732 tonnes annually.
Making the transition
Sant Boi’s total decrease in greenhouse gas emissions was 37.5% percent in between 2005 and 2020. The Sustainable Energy and Climate Adaptation Plan in the city is more ambitious; it seeks to reduce emissions by 59.6% come 2030 and ultimately targets zero emissions by 2050.
One of the central projects driving this change is ‘Sant Boi té Energia,’ aimed at expanding the use of renewable energy. By 2027, the city will have increased the portion of renewable sources in the energy that it consumes to 30%, with this percentage reaching 100% for daytime consumption by 2025.
We don't concentrate solely on renewable energy but on the creation of a fair and shared local energy system that works for everyone in our community
“Our approach to decarbonisation is holistic,” notes Moreno Gámiz. “We don’t concentrate solely on renewable energy but on the creation of a fair and shared local energy system that works for everyone in our community.”
Bringing nature in
Sant Boi has long embraced a compact, medium-density urban model that prioritises the preservation of natural heritage and agricultural landscapes. This approach has ensured that about 60% of the city’s area remains green and blue space, including areas protected within Europe’s Natura 2000 Network and Catalonia’s Areas of Natural Interest system.
The city’s ‘Green Ring’ connects natural elements, such as the Llobregat River, Agrarian Park, and Sant Ramon Mountain, enhancing ecological connectivity and allowing natural spaces to penetrate the urban fabric. “Our goal is to create a city that breathes, where greenery permeates streets, squares, and paths, linking the urban environment with its natural surroundings,” says Moreno Gámiz.
Waste down to zero
Despite a 10% increase in people sorting their waste over the past eight years, Sant Boi acknowledges the need for a more efficient waste collection system to meet European objectives. The city’s Mandate Plan will see new waste prevention initiatives, food waste projects, and a waste collection system update.
Our plastic-free initiative is about changing mindsets and habits for a more sustainable future
The ‘Plastic-Free Sant Boi’ campaign, launched in 2018, has been particularly successful in reducing plastic waste. The city has made changes such as using compostable and reusable dishes at public events and distributing reusable cotton bags to encourage residents to reduce dependence on single-use plastic. “Our plastic-free initiative is about changing mindsets and habits for a more sustainable future,” Moreno Gámiz emphasises.
Voice of the community
Sant Boi’s success in environmental sustainability is rooted in its community. The city engages academia, government, businesses, and society in collective development. This participatory approach is reflected in initiatives such as the Environmental Citizen Council and the Agricultural Council, which allow residents to lend their voice to environmental decision-making.
The ‘Sant Boi Respira + Verd’ project is a standout example of this approach, where local people and organisations collaborate in the co-creation of a network of connected green and blue infrastructure. This project enhances biodiversity while fostering behavioural change. The recently opened Torre de la Vila Environmental Park also serves as a hub for environmental education, hosting activities that promote biodiversity and sustainability.
“Our participatory approach ensures that our environmental goals are shared and supported by the entire community,” Moreno Gámiz says. “It’s this collective effort and co-responsibility that drives real change.”
Building a sustainable future
We are committed to setting an example of how urban spaces can coexist harmoniously with nature
Sant Boi’s future plans are guided by strategic frameworks such as the Local Urban Agenda and the Sustainable Energy and Climate Adaptation Plan, which outline concrete actions for 2023-2027 and beyond. These include building groundwater capture systems, enhancing green spaces, and promoting educational activities at the Torre de la Vila Environmental Park.
By 2050, Sant Boi aspires to be a city where greenery and sustainability are fully interlinked in urban life for health and resilience. “We are committed to setting an example of how urban spaces can coexist harmoniously with nature,” says Moreno Gámiz, adding, “Our work today is about engaging people now in a future that is sustainable and prosperous.”
