The gardens of the headquarters of the Ministry of Sustainability and Environment of the Andalusian Regional Government became the setting for an evening as special as it was significant: the gala of the Andalusia Environmental Awards (PAMA) 2025. A luminous night, full of emotion and gratitude, where the work of those who, from all corners of the autonomous community, contribute every day to protect, restore, and dignify the Andalusian natural environment, was recognized.
Minister Catalina García was responsible for closing the event with a speech full of closeness, personal references, and recognition of all the individuals and entities who are building, from their different areas, a greener, fairer, and more prepared Andalusia for the environmental challenges of the present and future.
«This garden that is dressed up tonight represents the soul of this Ministry. Here, we recognize those who work in the field, those who design policies from the offices, those who educate, restore, care for, or innovate. Tonight is for all of them,» said the minister.
During her speech, Catalina García took the opportunity to review the main milestones achieved by the Ministry in recent years, structured through the different general directorates. Among them, she highlighted the processing of the future Andalusian Forest Law, the adaptation of the Andalusian Forest Plan 2030, the recovery of the Iberian lynx, which is no longer in danger of extinction, and the approval of the Andalusian Hunting Plan 2023-2033, the result of dialogue with the hunting sector.
She also emphasized the acquisition by the Regional Government of the Veta La Palma and Tierras Bajas estates in the Doñana Natural Space, an operation of more than 78 million euros that will allow the restoration of more than 8,700 hectares of marshland that will now be managed publicly. The creation of Sierra de las Nieves National Park, the future expansion of Biosphere Reserves, or the REVERSA Network of Green and Sustainable Cities, with more than 300 participating municipalities, complete a particularly fruitful period in the protection of natural heritage.
In terms of circular economy and environmental quality, she highlighted the entry into force of the Andalusian Circular Economy Law, a pioneer in Spain, as well as the approval of the new regulations on light pollution and acoustic quality, and a total investment of 166 million euros allocated to Andalusian municipalities for the separate collection and treatment of biowaste, with emblematic projects such as the composting plant in Villamartín, in the Sierra de Cádiz.
She also mentioned that two laws currently in progress will soon reach the Parliament: the Environmental Agents Law and the Andalusian Environmental Management Law, LEGAM. These two laws, along with the Circular Economy and Forest Law, will update, modernize, and prepare the autonomous community for present and future challenges.
Award winners
The gala also paid tribute to the protagonists of the PAMA 2025: individuals, associations, local administrations, companies, and entities that stand out for their real commitment to sustainability. In the category of Conservation and Sustainable Development, the forest and biodiversity project of Agrícola El Bosque, S.L. was awarded. In the Biodiversity category, the award went to the Lorenzo García Ringing Station in Almería.
In the Sustainable Hunting category, the work of the ‘Crestagallo’ Hunters’ Society in Almargen (Málaga) was recognized for their habitat restoration efforts for the red-legged partridge. In Education and Environmental Awareness, Canal Sur Radio received distinctions for the Climate Change program, and the Virgen de Guadalupe Primary School in Úbeda received an honorary mention for their environmental educational project. In Circular Economy, awards went to Greening Relieve S.L. for their photovoltaic panel recycling system, and to Málaga SAM Cleaning (LIMASAM) for their network of nearby clean points.
Also distinguished in the Climate Change category were Real Betis Balompié Foundation for their Forever Green platform, and Heineken España for their solar thermal plant in Seville. In the field of Sustainability and Urban Environment, the Ministry awarded the City Council of La Línea de la Concepción in Cádiz, and finally, the University of Jaén was recognized in the Environmental Commitment category.
A committed team
The minister devoted a significant part of her speech to recognizing the work of the technical, legal, administrative, and territorial teams that make it possible for the environmental policies of the Regional Government to translate into results. She specifically mentioned each general directorate – Forest Policy and Biodiversity, Protected Natural Spaces, Environmental Sustainability and Circular Economy, and Environment and Climate Change – and their respective heads, as well as the staff of the Technical General Secretariat, the Environmental Agents, and all the professionals of the Environmental and Water Agency (AMAYA), who share objectives with the Ministry of Agriculture.
She also warmly thanked the territorial delegates of the Ministry in the eight Andalusian provinces, responsible for ensuring compliance with environmental procedures and accompanying strategic projects with all guarantees.
The most personal mention was for the vice-minister, Sergio Arjona, whom she described as the «right, left, and compass hand,» and whose commitment to sustainability she defined as «solid, serene, and sincere.»
The closing concluded with an invitation to attendees to continue collaborating, in their daily lives, with the protection of the environment. «From home, with your children, with your grandchildren. Because we leave this planet to them,» said the minister, noting that these awards coincide with World Environment Day, a date in June that invites reflection and action in favor of a more sustainable future.
