Green Guide 2011 by Karl Smallman

green guide 2011

the olive press

2011

green guide

Homes

Water saving ways to slash your bills

Holidays Fashion

Sustainable AND sexy!

Exotic Morocco Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s footprint free travel

Plug in and go

Eco toys

PLUS: Growing your own, smart investing, expert views and much more

2 IS THE ONE THING THAT WILL ALWAYS ALWAYS MAKE YOU green guide 2011 WHAT MONEY? 2011 is the international year of the forest www.forestry-trading.com FORESTRY TRADING Profit with Principles

Timber is a terrific biological asset, the combination of fast physical growth rates, high market price and extremely favourable supply/demand characteristics combine to provide this as an excellent opportunity.

The problem is when you think of trees… Don’t just think of this as trees in a wooded area or the one at the end of your garden! All of our plantations are professionally run businesses dealing over a number of years in one of the most traded commodities in the world today! And with a history of only 4 price slumps in the past 100 years (what other business can say that) it is a must for any portfolio to have at least a small percentage of their investments into forestry. The trees/plantations are well placed in

Melina

optimal growing areas of the world with the best of management teams looking after them at all times. They are out of the way of human traffic and there are little to no natural problems as all trees are native to the country that they are grown in, if any deceases do start it is dealt with immediately and any of the trees involved would be included in the next thinning process so as to completely remove any threat from reoccurring.

Milletia

Melina Melina can be utilized for both high and low end users; from fine furniture for exportation to frame construction and raw material for palettes. The trend in sales, however, has been shifting more towards utilizing Melina wood for higher end use. Project offer The 1st Melina project is for a 12 year term with payments starting from year 4 with the last payment on year 12 and will show for a £18,000 (600 trees) outlay a return of £104,109 The 2nd Melina project is for a 24 year term with payments Bi-annually starting from year 16 with the last payment on year 24 and will show for a £18,000 (600 trees) outlay a return of £842,364 The plantations are an established provider of timber investment opportunities. This Project is a sustainable timber plantation consisting of only Melina, a very fastgrowing hardwood whose timber that can be harvested and sold in just 4 years. Minimum of 478% profit in 12 years

Millettia Is a superior sustainable green oil species that does not require arable land. The high oil content in the seeds (40 - 50%) surpasses all other oil crops such as palm oil and Jatropha. Adding to this the robust Millettia thrives in temperatures from 0⁰C to 50⁰C it also environmentally friendly crops sequestrate more than 50 tonnes of CO² per hectare, per year. Providing a regular supply of green electricity confirms this fully insured project to be a worth while investment. Project offers 10 Year The Plantation offers returns annually as from year 1:• Year 1 repayment of 4% • Year 2 repayment of 8% • Year 3 repayment of 12% • Year 4-10 repayment of 17% At year 10 you also receive your initial investment 5 Year The Plantation offers returns at the end of the 5 year project • Year 5 repayment of investment + 80%

Teak Teak (Tectona grandis) has been grown for more than 100 years, so it is a mainstay for many plantations. It is considered a very valuable wood because of its ability to withstand weather. It even prevents any metal used in it from rusting. Teak is very stable, which means that it does not warp when subjected to variations in humidity and temperature. Project offer £3,000 (€3,500) buys 100 trees The Teak Plantation offers returns at the following years:- • 7 • 11 • 16 The ROI ranges between 10% and 15%. US and UK pension companies allow these investments as part of a pension portfolio. They consider tree title and cropping rights as sufficient security.

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green guide 2011

Welcome

Andalucia’s unsung eco warriors Pensioners enjoy the sun in Alcala la Real, while front page shows photo of statue in Sierra de las Nieves Natural Park

Editor’s letter News in brief This year’s Green Guide is about the people who are making our lives greener. They include online ecoshop founder Louise Brace, whose conscience about her daughter’s exposure to consumerism led her into the green sphere on p6. There are those who have developed their own creativity and love of all things natural to make a difference, like talented stylist Lupe Castro, pp 4-5. And individuals whose commitment to healthy eating and outdoor living have driven them to pursue organic ideals, such as farmers Lola Lopez Sanchez, p14, and Malcolm Coxall, p24. Yet the person I know with the lowest carbon footprint of anyone in this guide hasn’t had to change a single aspect of her lifestyle as the world’s been warming up around her. Her name is Rosario and she’s my next-door neighbour. She doesn’t own a car and never goes on public transport. She has never been in a plane or shopped in a big supermarket. She does not eat meat and only occasionally opts for locally caught fish. Most of her staples are from her land (which her son works), or from the land of her neighbours and have only travelled a few hundred metres to reach her. She does not own a microwave or have an oven, cooking only on her gas hob. Her food is recycled - scraps are given to the local cats. She has no central heating. In winter, she puts on some extra layers or lights a brasero using the burning embers of olive wood. Her biggest indulgence is TV, a source of entertainment and company for her since being widowed. Though somewhat frail, at 80 years old Rosario is funny and sharp, always chatting to passers by and sharing a joke. Locals in our Axarquian pueblo blanco look out for her and often drop by. One thing is certain, Rosario’s life is in no way diminished by its simplicity. And there are many more like her in Andalucia - leading uncomplicated, tranquil lives. So, whilst we celebrate the many people on these pages actively working to greenify us, let’s not forget the likes of Rosario - eco-warriors since long before we even had a label for them. Caroline Peal

Pedal power Bicycle-powered washing machines are just one of the initiatives that have contributed to the 25 year success story of an eco-holiday destination. Celebrating its silver anniversary in October, Sunseed has worked hard to keep its carbon footprint low and give holidaymakers a break to remember. Visitors to the community in the village of Sorbas can expect to cook on solar cookers and water-powered pumps, and sit on composting toilets. Every year the ground-breaking sustainable community also aims to educate its 200 visitors about greener lifestyles. The anniversary celebrations include a series of seminars, presentations and workshops in October. For more information visit: www.sunseed.org.uk

Party politics An ex-boss of Greenpeace is spearheading a new green movement, set to shake up Spain’s political system by uniting all green thinkers under one banner. Juan Lopez de Uralde, former head of the campaign group’s Spanish division, has made the move into politics to offer ‘a strong voice’ to promote the eco-transformation of Europe’s economy with Spain at its heart. As well as tackling environmental issues, the new green force ‘Equo’ is calling for electoral reform and a bolstering of Spain’s welfare system. Influential thinkers, including Inés Sabanés, leader of Izquierda Unida, and the ex-director general of Public Heath, Ildefonso Hernandez have joined Equo, with a view to offering the Spanish electorate a viable green alternative in the 2012 general election.

www.greenguidespain.com Check out our website for year round updates on all things green. The guide’s web pages have lively news content, which is updated by the day. Health and spiritual healing were our most popular topics in the past 12 months. Other hot favourites have been the environment, nature, food, transport, travel and energy. Pollution worries in the Gibraltar area were of particular concern and many users logged on to find out about eco-friendly cars and wind turbines. Thanks for your support and keep on clicking!

Contact Jon Clarke on 951 166 060 or email jon@theolivepress.es

Lifestyle

green guide 2011

Ethical fashion - so much more Spanish-born stylist Lupe Castro opens her little black book

I’m often asked what excites me about ethical fashion. I like the fabrics such as linen, flax softened in dew to minimize water consumption and peace silk (where the worm inside the cocoon is allowed to complete its life cycle and, only after the moth has emerged, is the cocoon submerged in boiling water as part of the silk extraction process). I love the designers - people like Spanish born Elena Garcia www. elenagarciastudio.com and Brit Christopher Raeburn www.

christopherraeburn. co.uk - who represent a hotbed of talent and show us, season after season, that there is another option in order not to compromise your beliefs with your lifestyle! In simple terms, ethical fashion means clothes that are produced with minimal impact on depleting resources. Have you ever wondered what resources have contributed to the making of your jeans, for example? To produce just one pair takes nearly 300g of chemicals. Denim production is heavy on water use too – anything from 2000 litres per pair. Although US company Levi is now pioneering a waterless initiative, slashing the amount used by up to 98 per cent. Even underwear is under scrutiny, with M&S introducing its first carbon neutral bra. About time – as there are a staggering 21 component parts from 12 different suppliers in your average bra. There is growing public interest in the humanitarian, environmental and finally political issues surrounding fashion, and a realization that we can no longer shy away from a greater understanding of the real cost of that two euro t-shirt.

Go to addresses For a great range of stylish shoes, check out www. elnaturalista.com H&M’s Conscious Collection (as seen on cover), uses recycled polyester, organic cotton and Tencel www.hm.com/es/ Zara has many organic cotton items in its summer range www.zara.com Eco and fashionconscious men can check out Madridbased designer Adolfo Dominguez www. adolfodominguez. com For vintage visit La Habitacion de Kate, Calle Ollerías 12, in Malaga (pictured below)

green guide 2011

Lifestyle

than hemp ponchos! Eco style your wardrobe Live it â&#x20AC;&#x201C; introduce vintage, redesigned and recycled clothing Keep informed - Ask your favourite shops and designers what materials they use, where they manufacture and what their labour standards are Innovate - Donate old clothes to charity, give them to a design school, arrange clothes swap parties. The goal is to avoid throwing garments away Get picky - Take your time to buy. Choose only garments that are perfect in every way and avoid impulse purchases. Look for good quality clothes that you will wear and enjoy for years to come Shoes and bag by www.elnaturalista.com Tenerife-born Lupe will be blogging as she tours Spain this summer, giving her view on the peninsulaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ethical fashion highs and lows. Check out her blog and website at www.lupecastro.com

Dress by La Habitacion de Kate in Malaga

Lifestyle

green guide 2011

Reclamation man Sam Ehrlich is never happier than when he’s rummaging through someone else’s rubbish

machines. I even got a rabbit hutch. I get first refusal on their junk. ‘Rubbish is the most inspiring thing for me. It opens up your mind to what can be done.’

He makes a living out of sorting through council skips, sifting people’s junk and reclaiming old furniture that no one else wants. And, with all these bits of scrap he creates beautifully crafted desks and cabinets, hand-made clocks and even bespoke kitchen units, which are now sold throughout Spain. ‘I guess it’s the right thing to be doing in this climate. Recycling is always good,’ he says. But Sam began his work long before the current slump, setting up his business Treasures from Wasteland back in 2007. He was inspired after returning to live in his country of birth after many years overseas and is now settled near Gaucin, in Andalucia. ‘I found that most of the villages round here had these white containers where the Spanish locals were just throwing out their old stuff. They tend to favour modern Ikea chipboard furniture so lots of good materials just get chucked.’ And now that people are aware of Sam’s work, they are taking their unwanted bits of furniture to him, rather than discarding them. ‘They offer me old cupboards, shutters, doors and broken

Eco shopping A water saving device used by royals and at No10 Downing Street can Louise and Nuria, reduce aged 4 household use by up to 80 per cent. The Watersave tap aerator costs just 5.99 euros and is one of many environmentally-friendly products now exclusively on sale here via a unique English language website www.soy-eco.com Former PR, Louise Brace, 39, set up her company in Ojen, near Marbella, after realising she wanted her daughter to grow up being more environmentally aware.

Sam and his son

www.treasures fromwasteland.com Tel: 677 394 622

“I didn’t want Nuria to be completely obsessed with having an iPod and the latest of everything,” she explains The top selling items on Louise’s website are simple, well-crafted toys for children made from recycled cardboard, called Paperpods. Another good seller is the water pebble. It monitors water use by lighting up green, amber, then red to tell you when to end your shower. Available online, Louise has also been trying to get these gadgets stocked by Andalucian retailers. “When we visited one group to show them our products they said ‘Spain isn’t ready. But before setting up I read some global research which asked what consumers felt about spending more money on eco products. Spain came out higher than the UK every time. It’s not that the Spanish public aren’t ready, they just haven’t had a chance.”

green guide 2011

Wine

green guide 2011

Wine

Cheers to that! How a series of hardy winemakers – the majority expatriates – are making a go of organic winemaking near Ronda

When architect Martin Kieninger decided to plant a vineyard at his stunning smallholding near Ronda, it could only ever have been an organic one.

2000 he had it registered as organic and he is also now practically biodynamic – meaning that he picks and plants the vines according to the moon cycle.

Having spent the best part of two decades working as a sustainable architect, campaigning for the environment and minimising his carbon footprint, he could hardly start bombing his vines with pesticides.

“There is no doubt that more and more wine makers are going to go organic over the next few years. It is the future of agriculture.”

“I have always been organic and could never imagine being otherwise,” explains the softly spoken Austrian, at his five hectare estate, which counts its own natural reed pool and 100 species of trees. Pioneering Juan Manuel Vetas while below Martin Kieninger whose vineyard is certified organic

“The difference in taste is obvious and the way things are in society right now, going organic and planting small is the future.” Indeed the month that he bought the estate in

Things are certainly going this way in the burgeoning wine industry around the Serrania de Ronda. Of 20-odd vineyards, around half a dozen are either registered as organic, or approaching it. One of the best known, Bodega Joaquin Fernandez, has been organic since planting 11 years ago. Its current winemaker Juan Bernal, 31, who learnt his trade in Bordeaux, believes the altitude of the area

Karl Enkvist with oak tree in his bodega is perfect for organic wines, particularly grape varieties like Garnacha. “The amount of wind we get also helps against botritis and other viruses,” he explains. “And helps the grapes to mature and keeps them healthy right up to harvest time.” To enhance the natural ecoystem, the vines are planted near olives and oak trees and aromatic plants such as rosemary and lavender are installed alongside. It took three years for the estate to arrive at an equilibirium, and even then there is always something to worry about. Continues Bernal: “The beauty of organic farming is that most bugs and pests are kept in check by their natural predators. “It is a painstaking task that takes years to get right. And even then you have to closely monitor everything all the time to maintain the delicate equilibrium between fauna and flora.

Wine At Enkvist vineyard in Gaucin, Swedish winemaker Karl Rickard Enkvist has created a true shangri-la which truly blends in with the natural ecosystem, even including oak trees on his winery. Again, working hard to have his wines certified as organic, he and his wife have battled against all the odds to produce what is Spain’s most southern red wine, a real humdinger, with deep complexity. Also producing a wonderful sweet moscatel and a chardonnay, the bottles and marketing has a distinct style.

At Bodega Joaquin Fernandez you will find aromatic plants like lavender alongside the vines and (inset) winemaker Bernal

Back in Ronda, you will also find the very capable Federico Schatz, a German, who has been experimenting with organic agriculture in the area since the early 1990s. He is a joy to visit, not just because he has around a dozen different wines,

green guide 2011

but because he can show you his industry-strength solar panels and the highest concentration of birds nests – all thanks to the organic ecosystem – anywhere in Andalucia. Last, but not least, you might want to visit the vineyard of Vetas, a true boutique winery of just two hectares. Using no pesticides and leaning towards being biodynamic, its owner Juan Manuel Vetas is a true grafter embodying the spirit of local, sustainable industry. And rumour has it that his wine, which already gets 93 in the Spanish Penin guide, was also tried by the celebrated US critic Robert Parker last year. “It was my 2002 and he thought it was a top Bordeaux apparently,” says Vetas. With that kind of comment he future must be green, for Ronda wines at least. Jon Clarke

green guide 2011

Wine

green guide 2011

Travel

green guide 2011

From little acorns... Mighty oaks not only provide the bellota – a staple for the herds that create Andalucia’s finest jamon - they also help oxygenate the planet. Lola and Armando offer a sandwich in return for a tree

An organic farm in Huelva is attracting visitors with a tasty incentive

To that end, the ecoaware owners of an organic pig farm in Huelva are offering a free bocadillo de jamon to anyone who visits their finca this autumn to plant an encina (holm oak) or alcornoque (cork oak). The initiative is part of an eco tourism drive throughout Spain, encouraging travellers and holiday makers to get involved in helping sustain

the peninsula’s original woodland and forests. From indigenous evergreen savins in Burgos, to ash and chestnut trees in Asturias, the thinking behind the ‘Create a Wood’ drive is to make visitors as responsible as the local community for maintaining their surroundings. Lola Lopez Sanchez and her husband Armando, who produce organic jamon on their farm, Finca Montefrio in Huelva, are keen to encourage visitors. “The free jamon sandwich is just a little extra enticement,’ she laughs. ‘But we always like our guests to get involved.” From gathering acorns, collecting eggs, counting the goatherd, to maintaining the orchard, there are always jobs to do. The 100 or so pigs remain on the farm for up to 22 months – living for seven months longer than herds in conventional jamon production – before being removed for slaughter, according to strict organic guidelines.

After essential curing with pure sea salt, the jamones are returned to Finca Montefrio to hang and mature in the farm’s cellar for a minimum of three years. This year Lola and Armando, whose three children Helena, Natalia and Armando also muck in on the farm, will be planting between 20 and 30 saplings, to help sustain the woodland where some of their oaks are over a century old. ‘We try and stay in contact with nature at all times, so we’re making goats cheese in the spring and harvesting fruit in the autumn, and our visitors, who are mainly from Holland, Belgium, France and the UK like to do the same when they are here.’ Accommodation on the finca consists of four individual houses, each with their own swimming pool. Prices start at 95 euros per night for a fourbed cottage. For more information go to www.creaaunbosque.es and www.fincamontefrio. com

The pigs remain on the farm for 22 months

green guide 2011

Travel

Green Escapes Dotted around Andalucía are some charming hotels designed with sustainability in mind. If you are concerned about the environment, are conscious of your carbon footprint and want to be an all round greener holiday guest, then here, the Green Guide reveals some of the top ecofriendly options right on your doorstep…

Cortijo Nispero

Hoopoe Yurt Hotel

Situated in the heart of the Sierra de los Filabres in the Almanzora Valley, this B&B sits in the tiny hamlet, Los Patrocinios. Surrounded by olive and almond groves, the 200-yearold farmhouse has been restored, keeping many of the original features intact. The owners use wood burning stoves and solar hot water as well as ingredients from their organic vegetable garden in the evening meals.

Often touted as one of the ‘best retreats in the world’, it is not hard to see why. Hidden in a cork and olive grove, the secluded, zero-carbon Mongolianstyle yurts are solar powered and equipped with composting loos. A holiday in one of the yurts lets you return to nature without having to forgo your usual vacation luxuries. The restaurant serves delicious food, much of which comes from an adjoining garden. More Eco Hotels overleaf

Green Retreats

Travel Casas Karen

Casa Verde Sur

Al Lago This charming rural hotel overlooks an azure lake below Zahara de la Sierra in the Sierra de Grazalema nature reserve. Boasting its own organic finca, head chef and owner Stefan uses mostly, fresh ecological produce in his cooking.

Cortijo Balzain Set in a rustic 17th century farmhouse, the Cortijo Balzain is ideal for eco-friendly tourists. The estate, which lies within the Sierra Nevada Nature Reserve near Granada, boasts nine carefully restored timber and stone cottages, while the restaurant is supplied by local farmers.

The greenest hotel on the Costa de la Luz, Casas Karen is situated in the stunning Los Caños de Meca just minutes away from unspoilt beaches, pine forests and the Trafalgar lighthouse. All waste from its 11 cottages and straw huts is composted and water is drawn from a well. Massages and yoga can be arranged, or guests can simply relax in a Mexican hammock.

Casa Olea Combining luxury with a desire to be green, Casa Olea lies in the heart of Cordoba’s famous olive belt. The hotel even uses olive pips to fuel the stateof the-art sustainable boiler. It uses solar panels for all hot water, only employs staff from the nearby villages and the restaurant serves locally grown organic produce.

Hotel Chancilleria

This family run guest house is the perfect location for exploring the Sierra Nevada. Famed for its springtime almond blossoms, the valley offers paragliding, horse riding and quad biking and is well placed for visiting Granada.

green guide 2011

An eco-friendly hotel located in the heart of Jerez, it successfully combines traditional and contemporary style. The renovated 19th century houses are designed to be cool in summer with a lounge and garden restaurant for al fresco suppers. Four rooms are fully adapted for disabled guests.

Freedom of the road Why not try something a little different and rent a ‘Flamenco Camper’ and hit the Andalucian roads for a true adventure.

Casa Amelia Their motto ‘take a break but leave no footprint’ perfectly sums up this ecological guest house. Situated in the stunning Lecrín Valley near Granada, Casa Amelia is a rural farmhouse with a strong emphasis on Permaculture offering home-cooked meals using fresh ingredients from the farm.

Cortijo El Saltador A large, traditional farmhouse, this is a great base for activity holidays such as hiking and rock climbing. The house uses its own well for water, and electricity is supplied by a large solar panel system. El Saltador offers great views from its sheltered spot in the foothills of the Sierra Alhamilla.

green guide 2011

Travel

An exotic adventure For those based in Andalucia there is a great way to have the holiday of a lifetime with little carbon footprint Just a ferry ride away – which means no flying - Morocco offers the potential for a fascinating road trip. For green explorers, a trip to Essaouria to discover the wonders of argan oil not only a natural product but sustainable too - is the ideal expedition. Made from the nuts of the argan tree, which grows almost exclusively in Morocco, argan oil is said to have restorative and anti-aging qualities, as well as being a culinary delicacy loved by humans and goats alike! Today, all argan oil is harvested and produced by local women who belong to fair trade working cooperatives which shares profits among the local Berber tribes.

An ecosystem reforestation project to help preserve the argan forest is also in place. For those that want to see it first hand Orange Grove Rural Retreats, founded by Kritzlynn Al Taib, now offer five to six holidays to Morocco each year that are specially tailored to suit each group. Kritzlynn – who gives a percentage of her profits to a Moroccan school – is a very knowledgeable guide with years of experience and fluent in Arabic. More importantly she has a passion for all things Moroccan. “Morocco is absolutely fascinating and each area is very different although the south is the best for me,” she explains. “It is quite a hike to get down to the argan area in Essaouria so it takes about a week in total, but it is really amazing. The first day is spent in Chefchaouen with another night in Fez before the long drive

south, but really it depends on what the person wants to do as to how long it takes to get down there with stops on the way. “It is very interesting to see the cooperative especially as no one had heard of the oil a decade Local women produce oil from argan nuts - loved by goats too!

ago! Now every group I take wants to stock up on the way back.” The next trip will take place in September after the end of Ramadan. For more information visit www. orangegroverural retreats.com

green guide 2011

Renewables roundup

green guide 2011

Bursting with energy The Atlantic winds and abundant Andalucian sunshine make southern Spain a great place to turn to renewable energy. Here is a roundup of what’s available

For centuries, we have relied heavily on nonrenewable fossil fuels for our energy, but we know that coal, oil, and natural gas will eventually dwindle, becoming too expensive or too environmentally damaging to retrieve. There is also evidence that they are affecting the climate and, without action, continued

emissions of carbon dioxide, sulphur dioxide and other green house gases could result in irreversible changes to our world. In contrast, renewable energy resources - such as solar, wind and geothermal are constantly replenished and will never run out. And Spain is a good place to try renewables,

given that they supplied 42.2% of the all country’s electricity demand in March this year. In the UK’s latest figures, renewables supplied only five per cent. Whether you could be making use of renewable energy depends on your individual requirements and circumstances, but here is a quick summary of what’s available...

Solar With 340 days of sunshine per year it is no surprise that solar is easily the most popular renewable energy for domestic use in Spain. Solar thermal (or heat) energy is used to: Heat water – Since 2007, Spain has made it mandatory for all homes, buildings and major reform projects to install solar systems to provide domestic hot water), or extend the time when you can use your

PROS RLow maintenance and running costs

RNo pollution

CONS

swimming pool. Heat spaces – to provide central heating or simply keep a holiday home warm and damp-free during the winter with NO running cost A common concern is whether solar energy will actually provide sufficient heat on cloudy days or at night but the latest solar panel designs with efficient, insulated hot water storage and a small amount of electric or gas as a backup will be sufficient. Andalucia enjoyed a huge growth in solar thermal power in 2010, increasing usage by 152 per cent. Last year

saw the construction of 11 new solar thermal plants. Once all are fully operational Andalucia will have enough solar thermal power to support of population of more than 1.2 million, making a CO2 emissions saving of 680,000 tonnes annually. Solar energy can also be converted into electricity using Photovoltaic (PV) devices or “solar cells”. These systems are often used:

cannot connect to the electric grid. To provide your initial electric demand, thereafter switching automatically to the mains supply when this demand is exceeded. Andalucia has Spain’s second highest usage of PV power, behind Castilla la Mancha. Cordoba and Seville combined account for almost half of Andalucia’s total PV use.

In remote locations which

RInitial set up costs (though grants are available if eligible)

ROnly generates

energy during the day

Solar powered houses in Jun, Granada

green guide 2011

Renewables roundup

Wind Wind turbines use large blades to catch the wind. When the wind blows, the blades are forced round, driving a turbine which generates electricity. The stronger the wind, the more electricity produced and, like solar electric, it is possible to store what is produced in batteries for use when required. Everyone’s seen wind farms appearing over the last few years, but small systems known as “microwind” or “smallwind” turbines can also produce electricity to

PROS zSmall footprint zNo pollution zThe Junta de

Andalucia has been running an extensive programme of grants to help with installation costs, but there are rumours of cutbacks due to the economic climate

CONS zAesthetics zPower output

varies depending on wind speed

zConcerns about the turbines’ effect on wildlife such as migrating bats

zTheories that noise and light effects from turbines cause ill health, though such claims tend to be associated with the anti- groups.

Geothermal help power the lights and electrical appliances in a typical home Spain is now one of the world’s largest wind power producers, showing the rest of the world it is possible to drastically reduce the use of fossil fuels through the use of renewable energy. In March, wind power accounted for 21% of Spain’s electricity generation (a 5% increase on March 2010) with coal at just 12.9%. Andalucia currently has 130 wind farms which can create enough energy to power some 1.8 million homes. Their energy output cuts carbon emissions to an equivalent of taking 1.3 million vehicles out of circulation. On very windy days, wind power generation in Spain surpasses all its other electricity sources, including nuclear. This reached its recorded peak on 9 November 2009 when wind farms covered 53% of the country’s total demand. The largest producer of wind power is Iberdrola with 25.5 per cent of capacity, followed by Acciona on 20.9 percent.

This system offers a simple and efficient way to make use of the free energy hidden in the soil. It uses captors (buried loops) in the soil and a heat exchange unit to capture energy from the captors and pass it onto a heating system in the house. Such systems have been used in northern Europe for many years, even where the ground is snow covered during the winter months and are now being installed throughout Spain. Where a geothermal system is not possible, perhaps because of lack of space for captors, an aerothermal system (or air source heat pump, ie, a traditional air con unit in reverse) may be the answer. The only space requirement is an outside wall, making them ideal for homes with limited space. Installation costs are kept to a minimum.  Both systems are commonly used

to provide underfloor heating and most include the ability to cool the house during the summer. You will need to supply electricity to the heat generator, but for every kilowatt of electric supplied, you will receive around 4 kilowatts of heating capacity… so you pay for 1 Kw and receive 3Kws free. A saving of 75%. In addition to central heating, the systems may also be able to provide domestic hot water and pool heating. Given the greater popularity of wind and solar power in Andalucia, there is little statistical data on how well geothermal is performing here. But as a renewable energy source for the future, its popularity can only grow.

PROS mHeating AND cooling using less energy

mReliability (few moving parts)

CONS mInitial costs, but a

grant may be payable

mSpace for captors mRequires an amount of mains electricity to work

For further information on renewable energy or to receive a free no obligation quotation contact Parapanda Solar, Montefrio, Granada tel 958060303 /655341821 or email alanw.russell@btinternet.com Andalucia statistics source: aprean renovables

Money

green guide 2011

Conscious investing Renewable energy investments offer one of the few opportunities to be able to invest with your head and your heart. Here’s how... Currently it still costs more to produce renewable energy than fossil fuel energy, which deters many investors. So, to encourage investment, governments are offering to pay a higher rate for renewable energy fed into the grid - what’s known as the Feed-In Tariff (FIT). Once on the grid, that energy is used by us all, alongside fossil fuel energy. Meanwhile, the cost of generating renewable energy is coming down. The price of manufacturing solar panels, for example, has reduced by 50 per cent in the last 12 months and continues to drop. So, it’s expected that, within five years there will be ‘grid parity’ – ie fossil fuels and renewables

including solar will cost the same to produce.

have been the main beneficiaries up to now.

By investing in renewable energy projects now while the market is still developing - investors can both grow their capital and support an important industry which will save and improve the environment and ensure we can all produce power in the future. And FIT rates now, before grid parity, will be in place for 20 years. Investors are currently seeing returns from seven per cent to 17 per cent, depending on their level of investment.

But now schemes are being set up via institutional investors and venture capital funds where people from all walks of life, with as little

as 6,000 euros to invest, can get involved and help redefine renewable energy investments worldwide. To find out more, call Gary Oliver on 952 834 830 or visit www.irepenergy.com

According to Clean Edge research, the global market for solar photovoltaics has expanded from just 1.7 billion euros in 2000 to 49.5 billion euros in 2010. Biofuels and wind power are following a similar trend. They project these three technologies will grow to 243.2 billion euros in the next decade. Professional and corporate investors who can put up the large sums required for the high cost process of building these projects

The market for renewable investments is growing rapidly

People

green guide 2011

Q&A

Green views

Paul Lever, Founder & Director, Ethical Forestry Do you use public transport or ride a bicycle? I use a bike as much as possible, for recreation and to commute to the office.

Do you grow/eat your own fruit and veg? I buy fresh, organic produce from a local supplier that delivers whenever I need them. Any green gadgets that you have that you would recommend? In the house I use energy efficient bulbs and have an Owl Home Energy Meter to monitor my energy use. Out of the home, I recommend the Freeloader Pro Phone Solar Charger and the Trevor Bayliss wind up torch. How much do you recycle (paper, glass, plastic, composting?) I recycle as much as possible. My local council is proactive by supplying various bins for different waste types. When did you last fly and why? I last flew to Costa Rica to visit our plantations. I travel there two to three times a year. How do you try and offset your carbon footprint? As a director and founder of Ethical Forestry, I am involved with the purchase of plantations and the acquisition of standing rainforests to be placed into our Forestry Easement Trust. We place approximately 25 per cent of all land we acquire into the trust. These protected forests are carbon sinks that remove vast amounts of carbon each year and in return produce oxygen. What is the best green innovation that you are aware of in your field of work? We are proud to say that our investments are innovations in themselves. Our investments are developed with investors, ensuring they get what they require. As well as the positive returns they get from their investments, they also support our trust designed to help our planet in perpetuity. I am not aware of any other company with such a positive offering. What do you think is the most destructive behaviour on the planet? Unfortunately, it is the unavoidable evolvement of man. The global population is expected to rise to 9 billion by 2050, representing an expansion of around 33 per cent. The inevitable consequence is the continuing harvesting of all resources and the ongoing destruction of our fragile planet. For more information visit www.ethicalforestry.com

Eating

green guide 2011

The freshest of the fresh

Most expats agree, fruit and veg simply taste better here. But, to really maximise benefits, eating organic (or even growing your own) is the way forward If you are interested in getting your hands dirty, first you need to know what thrives best where. There are several factors, the obvious one being climate, but there are some other really important issues that play a big role, including the many different local micro-climates. “Andalucia has some of the most arid desert areas as well as some of the wettest in all of Europe”, says Malcolm

Coxall, organic expert and owner of Cortijo Cornelio. “It also has some of the continent’s highest mountains and its largest areas of coastal flood plains and everything in between.”

Coastline The sea acts as an enormous heat-sink and radically affects the climate of the first 20 to 50kms of landmass inland. Coastal winter temperatures are higher than inland and the summer temperatures are generally lower. “We regularly see a 10 to 15 degree difference between the coast and our farm, which is just 35kms inland,” says Malcolm. The coastal semi sub-tropical zone is ideal for outdoor growing almost all common vegetables, including lettuce, cabbage, kale,

chard, and northern European root vegetables such as carrots, radishes and turnips. ‘New World’ produce - tomatoes, sweetcorn, aubergine, cucumber, courgette, peppers, melons and pumpkins - will also thrive. Both tropical fruits like mangoes, oranges, and avocados and more temperate fruits such as cherries, strawberries and

Did you know? Apples, apart from cookers, do not tolerate Andalucian heat well. Most apples you find here come from Catalunia, France, and Argentina. Likewise, blueberries do not grow commercially in Andalucia. They need an acid soil and the region’s is too alkaline.

peaches are also worth giving a go.

Altitude Temperatures drop around one degree per 100 metres of altitude. Winds are stronger and amplify the cooling effect of the altitude. Cherries and plums like these conditions, growing well in inland mountain areas. These stone-fruit trees need to be exposed to freezing temperatures or ‘frosted’ in order to set fruit successfully. Grapes easily tolerate frosts and require little water, so do well at higher altitudes.

Water Some areas are blessed with copious supplies whilst others, just kilometres away are semi-arid. The Montes de Málaga is generally a very dry zone and because of

green guide 2011 this, there is almost no commercial vegetable production apart from broad beans grown in the winter. Where there are larger rivers (mostly south of Comares in the Axarquia and in the area just north of the Montes de Málaga), you find pockets of production of oranges, avocados, lemons, cherries and plums. Just 20kms away it changes again - in the Torcal area, where there is often too much water and non-tropical fruits and most vegetables grow here successfully. The high plain of Antequera all the way to Cordoba has plentiful water and a huge production of vegetables. Likewise between Zafarraya and Alhama de Granada. This high level plain has its own microclimate, plus good soil. It is thought to have been one of the main ‘vegas’ (gardens) in Arab times. Many inland areas with limited water are dedicated to olive and almond production, as both are drought tolerant. Neither tree is frost tolerant at blossom time although prolonged day-frosts are rare below 1000m.

Organic producer Malcolm Coxall

Seasonal conditions Large parts of Spain and especially Andalucia, experience very big differences in temperature between mid-winter and midsummer and this radically affects when crops can be planted and when they are ready for harvest. None of the traditional Northern European vegetables (cabbages, carrots, cauliflower) can tolerate temperatures above 30 degrees, regardless of how much water you give them. As soon as the mercury rises above a plant’s ‘comfort level’, it begins to prepare for imminent death by toughening leaves and then flower/ seed production. That’s fine for tomatoes, but a flowering cabbage isn’t very edible. However, many ‘New World’ veg (aubergines, courgettes, cucumber) love these high temperatures.

Eating

Light lunch A pioneering chef has devised an organic menu del dia to attract healthy eating fans to his Orgiva restaurant. The boss of Baraka has set aside a special production line in the kitchen for his healthy fare – a stipulation by the organic certification body CAAE before they would grant him a licence.

Owner Qasim took a series of dishes which he could convert to be 100 per cent organic and now offers a daily menu with a typically Arabic flavour including cous cous, falafel and hummous, followed by chocolate cake, with fresh juices and home made bread to accompany the meal. “ It would be complicated to establish a fully certified organic restaurant but by having a menu of the day I wanted to make a statement to my customers and for anyone interested in eating organic that there is a clear choice available,” explains Qasim.

Fennel, or C hinojo, grows

green guide 2011

abundantly around fields and by roadsides. A good aid to digestion, it complements fish beautifully. The feathery leaves can be chopped and added to sauces or soups.

The fig tree C frequently crops

twice a year in Andalucia. They grow best in shallow soil with confined roots and survive without summer watering. Don’t overwater or fruit will be tasteless.

LAND LINES The carob To get delicious C CIf you have C tree or algarrobo land, chances walnuts, leave the is found dotted amongst olives on fincas. It’s evergreen with a twisting trunk. The low calorie, sweet tasting pods are rich in minerals and can be eaten straight from the tree.

are you’ll have wild asparagus. Young stems appear within 24 hours of the rains coming. Pick immediately. It is more intense and bitter than the cultivated variety.

fruit on the bough as long as possible to ripen. Walnut shells will not split open but the outer casings may rot, exposing the nut. Dried walnuts keep well for months stored at room temperature.

Eating

green guide 2011

From plot to plate Eddie Hartley and his girlfriend Nicole Brouwers were such fans of growing their own that they decided to make the The Good Life their way of life.

The 50m2 plots have been rotavated, there is a compost heap, water and even a canopy where you can sit and relax in the shade.

Their allotment in Nerja has 15 plots in use, with space for a further 60 would-be gardeners.

The rent is 25 euros per month and so far, all the gardeners are British or Irish. “But all nationalities are welcome, the more the merrier!”

People grow the full range of fruit and veg, including beans, cauliflower, carrots, potatoes, lettuce, tomatoes and strawberries. “Three of them have built a small chicken shed and have four chickens each,” said Nicole. “The atmosphere is wonderful, everyone giving each other advice and helping out. “But the best bit is eating the fantastic produce. It’s so fresh and gives a great sense of satisfaction when it tastes so good.”

For more info contact littleweedallotments@ gmail.com

Did you know? More than a quarter of the world’s olive oil is produced in Spain and three quarters of this production comes from Andalucia. The average production ratio is four kilos of olives per litre of oil.

Eddie Hartley and Nicole Brouwers are living the good life

Homes

green guide 2011

Living with the elements Rainwater harvesting at home is something we should all be considering, given the precipitation Andalucia has seen over the past couple of years Andalucia’s best eco aware architects are now building deposit-cisterns to collect water from gutters, so it can then be used for irrigation, in all their new builds. But, as EcoVida International architect

John Wolfendale explains, the challenge extends to saving as much water as possible during the building process itself. “We’re using dry construction technologies wherever possible, such as plasterboard walls, which

The Cortijo de Morales has been completely renovated minimise the need for water, sand and cement.” For external walls, EcoVida use gabions -

hollow metal cylinders with natural stones inside - that do not need water or mortars, and look

green guide 2011

Homes

beautiful as vegetation easily grows over them.

remaining sympathetic to the original structure.

the green credentials of Cortijo de Morales.

Their latest example of homes built to these exacting standards is Cortijo de Morales, near Motril, in Granada province.

Described as a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;rural property of relevant ethnographic valueâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; in the local Urban Regulations, retention of many of the original features has been an integral part of the restoration.

The farm courtyard, around which the apartments are placed, uses what is known as filtering pavement - allowing for the partial recovery of rain on the ground.

The owner, a private cancer research charity, bought the 716m2 site and carried out work on the 346m2 ruin as an investment. The original building, which hadnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t been used for years, has been converted into four small apartments, which will be rented out to private individuals. The building, accessed via a network of rural roads, has managed to incorporate modern technologies while

Traditional building materials such as wooden beams and joists, walls with lime mortar coating and hand-made bricks have all been retained.

An original olive jar the energy saving and sustainability needs of the 21st Century.

Some of these features can be found in the restored olive press tower, which has been reinforced and brought back to its former glory.

The apartments now benefit from a high level of thermal insulation that exceeds requirements, allowing for reduced energy consumption

But at the centre of the restoration effort has been the need to update the property to meet

Solar panels, with separate deposits and water heaters for each apartment, further boost

The use of solar energy to heat water used in the apartments, and dry masonry on exterior walls to reduce water usage have further helped boost the eco-friendly development. New materials including a zinc sheet coated roof and windows incorporating anodised aluminium have further ensured a touch of modernity, in what could become a blue print for further restoration projects throughout Spain.

Homes

green guide 2011

Sunny delight Latest gadget will make PV energy that bit cheaper, while right we talk to its inventor, Edwin Spijkers

Having spent two decades turning his website into one of Europe’s top online shops for green products, he is constantly looking for the latest sustainable technology.

– known as a ‘grid tie invertor’ – makes the conversion of solar energy from panel to appliance considerably cheaper for small domestic installations.

Whether this means travelling to China to check out what’s on offer, or attending green fairs in the US, Edwin Spijkers, 40, of Generador Electrico, is always on the go.

Bringing down the price substantially, he has now had his product officially approved in China with its own CE mark.

So it was something of a boost when the flying Dutchman managed to come up with a revolutionary new product all on his own. The exciting new gadget

Inspector Gadget has done it again

“This is a small compact invertor for 300 to 600 watts and it comes at a very compact price,” explains Spijkers, who lives in Ronda.

around 800 euros... and when added to a small PV panel, this will save the average household up to 100 euros month in electricity bills.”

“Indeed it costs from just 145 euros, when previously you had to pay

For more info visit www. generador-electrico.com or call 952874195

green guide 2011 Do you use public transport or ride a bicycle? When possible, yes. How many cars are there in your household? We have one electric scooter, one hybrid car, a Prius and one van. Do you grow/eat your own fruit and veg? Yes. Where do you shop for food? We shop at the supermarket and specialized shops. Does your local supermarket stock organic produce? Some yes. What energy sources do you use in your home? We use 100 per cent renewable sources.

People

Q&A Any green gadgets that you have that you would recommend? Many, many! Visit my website www.generadorelectrico.com How much do you recycle (paper, glass, plastic, composting?) I recycle almost all I can. When did you last fly and why? I flew to France and Holland, business combined with leisure. How do you try and offset your carbon footprint?

Green views I’m carbon negative already! What is the best green innovation that you are aware of in your field of work? The micro inverter for smaller electricity bills and energy saving on grid systems. How does your work help to save and improve our planet? With renewable sun and wind energy. What do you think is the most destructive behaviour on the planet? The careless usage of fuel, especially by uselessly driving around in circles

Edwin Spijkers, Generador Electrico in cars without having anything to do (typically something the youth does a lot). What is the single most important thing that you believe each individual can do to make a difference to the process of global warming? Use only the necessary energy (like turning off the light in the rooms you are not using, turning central heating down 1ºC and A/C at 24-26ºC and not at minimum or 18ºC).

Motoring

green guide 2011

Green and Black

(cars, not chocolate) Hybrids, electric cars, plug in points, what is the future of motoring? Henry Ford was famously once noted for offering his pioneering, massproduced model T as being available in “any colour you want, as long as it’s black.” Today, most major manufacturers are developing alternative power sources for their vehicles as the world attempts to turn greener. A decade ago the great hope was the hydrogen cell, harnessing the most abundant element in the world with an exhaust emission of water vapour, but refuelling issues have limited its wider usage. The most viable option now is the hybrid – think Toyota Prius. Perhaps less well known is that there are two versions available. The ‘parallel hybrid’ of the Honda Civic uses a smaller petrol engine as the primary source of power working alongside a support electric motor. The petrol engine is under less stress and so it consumes less petrol while the batteries are recharged during braking. However, as both are needed to drive, zero emissions are not possible. The more successful Toyota Prius uses the ‘series hybrid’ method. Here, the electric motor

points in Spain, including 75 in Sevilla. Meanwhile Malaga is also set to become a ‘Smartcity’, Queen Sofia tries out the Peugeot iOn thanks provides the primary to its development source of power, with the of a new energy petrol engine topping management model up where necessary. As aimed at significantly it is isolated from the reducing emissions as wheels it can maximise its the electric car becomes economy at all times. more integrated into mainstream motoring. Meanwhile the diesel engine is at least a third more efficient than the petrol engine, and key models from VW and Fiat are more economical than hybids. In 2012 Peugeot is set to launch the 3008, which will be a combination of hybrid and diesel technologies and is claimed to be a world first. The all-electric car is of course becoming more prominent. A step on from the basic G-Wiz, Peugeot have recently launched the elegant iOn which boasts aircon and electric windows. Meanwhile the Nissan Leaf won World Car of the Year award. The issue is where to charge up your car. Since 2008, the Spanish government has been promoting electric vehicles through its Movele plan, and there are now 2,000 electric vehicles and 546 charging

Even Spain’s Queen Sofia has been spotted driving the iOn around Mallorca after Peugeot sent it to her for a trial at the Marivent palace. By 2020, Peugeot reckon 4.5 per cent of car sales will be purely electric and, JP Morgan say, twenty percent of American sales will be hybrids. Perpetual change is clearly fuelling a desire to reach a state of perpetual motion, and that has to be a positive thing. Jonathan Durden

green guide 2011 Patricia Ellis, Marketing Director, Green Oil Plantations Ltd Do you use public transport or ride a bicycle? Public transport and bike when possible. How many cars are there in your household? Two. Do you grow/eat your own fruit and veg? Not yet but I am in the process of planting a few vegetables and herbs in my garden. What energy sources do you use in your home? Gas, electricity and solar

People

Q&A How do you try and offset your carbon footprint? I run a company that plants trees that sequestrate thousands of tonnes of CO2 every year. What is the best green innovation that you are aware of in your field of work? Bio electricity, bio fuel, wind and hydroelectricity. How does your work help to save and improve our planet? We help reduce CO2 in the atmosphere.

Green views What do you recycle? Everything! What do you think is the most destructive behaviour on the planet? The excessive use of non renewable energy sources. What is the single most important thing that you believe each individual can do to make a difference to the process of global warming? Recycle. Try to re-use things rather than buy

new, buy better quality goods that can last longer so they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t need to be replaced, plant vegetables in your garden, share car journeys, walk or cycle where possible, change your petrol car to electric, install solar panels for electricity and heating, use less water, try to go on holiday closer to home.

People

Q&A

Green views

Kofi Annan, former United Nations chief and global eco adviser answers your questions about climate change

In Almeria water is being used unsustainably. Should governments create the means to build desalination plants and pumping stations to ensure there is enough? There have already been great successes with this, especially in the Middle East. We must all start today by using water responsibly and ensuring better management of its use by individuals,

especially farmers, to make every drop work to produce more crops. What can young people do to reduce climate change? Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re never too young to improve the world. As children we want all kind of things, sometimes we have to understand that less is more. Young people must also encourage their friends to use green products and their parents to follow suit.

Can you give me three tips to reduce my energy usage at home? You may not like them! First is to watch less TV. Turn off lights when leaving the room. Make sure the washing machine is full before turning it on. I want to stand out from the crowd and improve the world. Will you be my mentor? Look around and see what you can do, starting in your local community at home or school. But do not distance yourself from others or stray too far from people. It is important to be part of the group you are trying to help. How can I reject a request to be your mentor since you ask so kindly! Do you support GM crops to combat climate change? The world population has reached six billion. This will grow to nine billion 40 years from now. Yet most African governments do not accept the cultivation of genetically engineered products. Seven years ago when I was at the UN, many African people were going hungry. We wanted to bring in genetically engineered food, but the governments refused to accept the

green guide 2011

aid, even though we had certificates from the World Health Organisation declaring that these products did not pose any health hazard. Later I met with President Bush and Jean Chretien, the President of Canada. President Bush could not believe it and President Chretien told me that he was 70 years old, had eaten these foods all his life and was perfectly healthy! So I told them that this was the decision the governments had taken and it had to be respected. But it is an issue that still needs to be addressed and resolved. Governments need to offer new solutions. Many businesses sell green products but how do we know if theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re really green? The first thing to do is check if they meet standards, that children are not working in their businesses, for example, and theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re truly meeting the benchmark for green companies. What is your estimate of the impact of wars and pollution they produce? Wars cause not only pollution but reverse the order of a country. I have witnessed the migrations some countries have suffered, where citizens flee to green areas and, in a matter of months, these areas are devastated and destroyed. The impact is terrible. In war there are no winners, only losers, not to mention the lost earnings for people who then have to live with the consequences of actions taken.

green guide 2011