Joining forces to turn wildfire-resilient landscapes into reality
More than 80 representatives from public institutions, research organisations, indigenous and local communities, civil protection authorities, financial and philanthropic organisations, technology companies and Living Labs gathered at the Cap Roig Gardens of the “la Caixa” Foundation in Spain to accelerate the implementation of wildfire-resilient landscapes.
The meeting took place against a backdrop of increasingly intense and destructive wildfires, and focused on a shared ambition: to move from knowledge, demonstration projects and isolated initiatives towards coordinated, large-scale action that makes landscapes, communities and economies more resilient to wildfires. This is much-needed: by mid-September 2026, 666,236 hectares had burned across the European Union, well above the average recorded over the previous two decades.
The international meeting was organised by the Wildfire Resilient Landscapes Network (WRLN) of the Circular Bioeconomy Alliance (CBA) and the FIRE-RES programme, coordinated by the Forest Science and Technology Centre of Catalonia (CTFC). It was hosted by the “la Caixa” Foundation, a Custodian Member of the CBA.
Moving from pilot initiatives to landscape-scale resilience will require “rethinking the economy as we have understood it until now and placing nature at its core”, said Marc Palahí, CEO of the Circular Bioeconomy Alliance. “Through this international network, we are advancing wildfire-resilient landscapes worldwide and accelerating the transition towards a new economic paradigm that puts people and nature first. A new nature-based economy will help us break away from our dependency on fossil fuels and better adapt to the uncertainties of climate change.”
During his remarks, the Secretary-General of the Department of Economy and Finance of the Government of Catalonia, Juli Fernández, emphasised the importance of taking a comprehensive approach to wildfire prevention, combining scientific knowledge, public policy and the involvement of the various stakeholders who operate across the landscape. In this context, he highlighted the role of forest management as a structural, long-term policy, particularly against a backdrop of climate change, increasingly continuous forest cover and the gradual abandonment of agricultural and livestock farming activities.
The Secretary-General also stressed the need to move from diagnosis to implementation, strengthen collaboration among public administrations, local authorities, the private sector and the scientific community, and recognise the value of the people who manage the land.
The WRLN provides an international umbrella for this effort, connecting organisations and initiatives from different sectors, including indigenous and local communities, science, public sector, industry and finance. Through its network of Living Labs, partners test solutions in real territories, exchange knowledge, explore investment opportunities and adapt what works to different contexts.
Antoni Trasobares, Director of Wildfire Resilience at the CBA and Director of CTFC, said: “It is time to think big and promote new initiatives that can make a difference in the face of the rapid and impactful changes we are facing nowadays. We need to accelerate the transition to territories where climate resilience is embedded in landscape adaptation, planning, management, governance and investment. This is exactly the approach of the WRLN. The diversity of the organisations and territories represented in this event reflects a shared conviction: no single institution, sector or country can address the growing wildfire challenge alone.”
The meeting highlighted the need for active landscape management, the integration of wildfire risk into policies beyond forestry and civil protection, and stronger coordination across sectors and levels of government. It also emphasised that communities and land managers must play an active role in decision-making.
To turn these principles into action, participants explored financing models that combine public funding, insurance, philanthropy and private investment, alongside operational technologies and a connected network of Living Labs. Ambitious project proposals to the EC and other institutions, involving most members of the network in Europe, Chile, North America, Australia, and South Africa, are being developed to consolidate the activity and impact of the network worldwide.
More information
Wildfire Resilient Landscapes Network
The Wildfire Resilient Landscapes Network (WRLN) is an initiative of the Circular Bioeconomy Alliance (CBA) that brings together international organisations and landscape initiatives with a shared ambition: to make wildfire-resilient landscapes a reality.
The network connects governance, finance, science, technology, local and Indigenous knowledge, and practical landscape management. Its international network of Living Labs supports large-scale demonstrations, knowledge exchange, public-private collaboration and the replication of effective solutions across different territories.
Circular Bioeconomy Alliance
The Circular Bioeconomy Alliance was established in 2020 by His Majesty King Charles III as The Prince of Wales and is a registered charity. The CBA aims to accelerate the change to a nature-first economy that is climate neutral, inclusive and powers prosperity. We create impact at scale, using natural capital to build sustainable value chains which transform our land, food, health and industrial systems. Our approach combines a science-based framework, coalitions of expert partners, indigenous and local leaders, and a global network of ‘Living Labs’.
FIRE-RES Programme
Coordinated by the Forest Science and Technology Centre of Catalonia (CTFC), the FIRE-RES International Programme is a global platform that builds on the legacy of the European Horizon 2020 FIRE-RES project. The programme promotes international cooperation, innovation and knowledge exchange to accelerate the development of wildfire-resilient landscapes and communities.
Forest Science and Technology Centre of Catalonia (CTFC)
The Forest Science and Technology Centre of Catalonia (CTFC) is a public research institution specialising in forest ecosystems, integrated wildfire risk management and resilient landscapes. With over 30 years of experience, CTFC is a leading centre for research and innovation in Mediterranean landscapes, working at the interface of science, policy and practice to develop and implement solutions for climate adaptation and wildfire resilience. CTFC serves as the coordinator of the FIRE-RES Programme and is a member of the CBA.
About “la Caixa” Foundation
The ”la Caixa” Foundation has been a custodian member of the CBA since 2025 and a driving force behind the WRLN since 2026. Environmental sustainability is one of the Foundation’s main cross-cutting priorities across all areas of its work, alongside addressing the effects of environmental challenges on people in vulnerable situations. By joining the CBA and supporting the WRLN, the ”la Caixa” Foundation is reinforcing its commitment to advancing environmental sustainability and transforming the environmental future of the Mediterranean region and its communities.
In 2026, the ”la Caixa” Foundation has a record budget of €710 million, representing an increase of 8.4% compared with the previous year. Nearly 60% of this investment, amounting to more than €415 million, is allocated to programmes that promote social transformation.
