Work begins on the LIFE IP Urban Klima 2050 project in Zarautz
08/06/2026
Work on the LIFE IP Urban Klima 2050 project began this week on the Zarautz seafront. This action, which is part of the LIFE IP Urban Klima 2050 project, is the largest climate action initiative in the Basque Country. More than twenty organisations are taking part in this project, which is funded by the European Union and coordinated by Ihobe, the Basque Government’s Public Environmental Management Company.
The first phase involves refurbishing the access points on the western side of the beach, starting with the demolition of the steps leading down to the beach near Plaza Munoa and the existing overhang. At the same time, the level of the promenade will be raised, so as to improve safety and accessibility and prevent flooding and structural damage.
“Ever since work began on the plans for this project, Zarautz Town Council has been in constant contact with residents’ associations and local hospitality businesses in the area where the work is to be carried out, in order to reach a consensus on all of the details, requests, recommendations and conditions of the project,” said Mayor Xabier Txurruka (Basque Nationalist Party).
“This action is part of the set of climate change adaptation demonstration projects promoted by the Basque Government. Since its launch in 2024, this project has been an example of how inter-institutional collaboration is bearing fruit when it comes to implementing concrete solutions to tackle the impacts of climate change. The start of this work also coincided with World Environment Day, which highlighted the urgent need to take action on climate change right now," said Adolfo Uriarte, the Basque Government’s Director of Natural Heritage and Climate Change Adaptation.
In 2020, Zarautz Town Council produced the "Diagnostic report and assessment of options for minimising the combined impact of waves and tides on the Zarautz sea wall".
The document “Preliminary draft setting out the measures to be implemented on Zarautz beach and its surrounding area to mitigate the effects of climate change associated with rising sea levels and increased wave action” was subsequently drawn up in May 2024. It is made up of three separate actions, one of which involves redeveloping the Narros-Munoa area. Its design and implementation are considered to be a priority within the funding limits of the LIFE programme, given its direct exposure to climate impacts and its strategic importance in the urban context of Zarautz.
Building on this initiative, in 2025, Zarautz Town Council put the project design and management of the work on the Narros-Munoa area, Zarautz beach and its surroundings out to tender, with a goal of mitigating the effects of climate change linked to rising sea levels and waves.
In 2026, Zarautz Town Council, as the competent authority, put the work to reduce the effects of climate change in the Narros-Munoa area out to tender and awarded the contract to CONSTRUCCIONES MARIEZCURRENA S.L. through a public tender for a total cost of €1,244,955.75 (including VAT) with an estimated completion period of 7 months. The European Union will provide €696,231 in funding for this project under the LIFE programme. Meanwhile, the Basque Government will provide €380,000 and Zarautz Town Council will contribute the rest.
As the mayor explained, “At first glance, it may seem strange that this project is starting now, but the reason is simple: the work cannot be carried out in winter, as the weather conditions and the swell would make it impossible”.
Need to protect the sandy area
Zarautz beach, the longest beach on the Basque coast at 2,100 metres, faces significant challenges due to rising sea levels and the intensity of the waves. Extreme events such as the storm in 2014 that caused serious damage to the seawall are becoming more frequent. In relative terms, it would be among the top 10 beaches affected, and could lose 30% of its surface area by 2050, and between 65% and 90% by 2100. At the same time, projected climate scenarios estimate that 4 hectares of residential land could be affected in 2050, increasing to between 5 and 7 hectares by 2100, representing 2%, 3% and 4% respectively of the total residential area. The changes in sandy areas as a consequence of the effects of climate change translate into potential economic impacts due to losses in recreational use, but more importantly, their retreat will result in a greater lack of protection for structures and buildings along this stretch of coastline. Removing infrastructures that stand on the beach will make the distribution of sand in the areas affected more natural, thereby providing greater protection for the elements built along the beach front.
