Reacción a "An attribution study links climate change to the intensity of extreme fires in Spain and Portugal in August 2025"

This report adds to the evidence that climate change has increased the likelihood of fires in the Iberian Peninsula. However, increased risk depends not only on the likelihood of the hazard and exposure to heatwaves and drought conditions but also on the vulnerability of ecosystems and human populations.

A thorough assessment of such vulnerabilities requires deep engagement with the socio-ecological histories of the affected areas —something beyond the scope of this report but necessary for future management efforts. Place-based, collaborative initiatives are needed to prevent the recurrence of this catastrophe. Scholars of climate change governance emphasise the importance of fostering adaptive capacity among communities—that is, enhancing their ability to adjust to the increasing risk of fire under climate change. A promising strategy, already taking shape in many locations across the Peninsula, is incorporating local knowledge alongside expert assessments to deliver collaborative and place-based land management efforts.
Forest engineers and other rural development professionals play a crucial role in shifting the generalised perception of ‘institutional abandonment’ in rural communities by helping co-create diverse livelihood opportunities and improved conditions for rural living.