The people of Galicia, a region known for its rich natural heritage, are fighting back against the installation of a new pulp mill by the Altri Group, a project that has drawn widespread opposition from local communities and environmental groups. This month saw the last of a wave of protests, supported by 52 NGOs, after the regional government controversially approved the project following a positive environmental impact evaluation. Despite the government’s backing, the community’s resistance has only grown stronger, highlighting the urgent environmental and social stakes of the project.
What’s at Stake?
The proposed pulp mill is located in the heart of Galicia, an ecologically sensitive area where Natura 2000 sites converge. This area, renowned for its rich biodiversity, is home to several species protected under EU law, including those covered by the EU Birds and Habitats Directives. The installation of the factory threatens to disrupt these delicate ecosystems, putting vulnerable species at risk. The project also involves the heavy use of eucalyptus, a highly invasive species that already poses significant environmental challenges.
Zeltia, a spokesperson for the Ulloa Viva Platform, emphasized the broader risks posed by the project: “We have been demanding more transparency from the regional government for two years regarding the approval of this massive cellulose plant. It will cause significant environmental, socioeconomic, and personal disruption to everyone living in this area.” She also pointed out the environmental implications in the context of the ongoing climate crisis, saying, “We don’t want this type of corporation, which in the context of the climate crisis, will further deteriorate the protection of life in all its forms—natural and human.”
The pulp mill’s demand for eucalyptus would only exacerbate the region’s existing environmental problems. In its first phase, the plant would require 1.2 million tonnes of eucalyptus per year, doubling in the second phase. Eucalyptus plantations, which have displaced native forests, are a key driver of the wildfires that devastate the region each summer.
The factory’s proposed industrial site, which spans an area the size of 500 football fields, would have a huge impact on the local water supply. The plant would extract 46 million liters of water daily from the Ulla River, returning only 30 million liters as treated wastewater—leaving a shortfall of 16 million liters. This massive water consumption threatens the livelihoods of local agricultural communities and others downstream who rely on the fragile ecosystem of the Ría de Arousa, where the Ulla River meets the sea.
Monica, a member of the platform and a local neighbour shared how the installation of this project would impact her family and many others: “My parents run an extensive dairy farm, just as their ancestors did. They have been taking care of this land for decades, and their intention is to continue doing so. However, we are now seeing our way of life threatened.” Monica and her family, like many others in the region, fear that this project will destroy the way of life they have worked so hard to preserve for generations.
Broken Promises and Public Money
The Altri Group is seeking €250 million in funding from the EU’s NextGenerationEU initiative, raising concerns about the environmental impact of such an industrial project. The CEO of Altri had previously promised that the factory would not be installed in a region where the local community opposed it. Yet, as Zeltia pointed out, this promise has been abundantly proven false: “We, the neighbours, have already told them that we do not want this project to be implemented here. The CEO said that the factory would not be built against the will of the people, but here we are, fighting to stop it.”
The EU Commission, under Vice President Teresa Ribera, has been made aware of the issue, and now faces a critical decision. The principles outlined in the NextGenerationEU fund emphasize that no project receiving public money should cause “significant harm” to the environment. This project, which threatens both the natural environment and the livelihoods of local communities, raises important questions about how EU funds are allocated.
The people of Galicia are calling on the EU to stand by its commitments and ensure that taxpayer money does not support polluting industrial giants like Altri. As Zeltia stated, “We are a group of neighbours and residents united by our concern for the place we live in and the care we share for it. This project threatens everything we have worked to protect.”
A Fight for the Future
The people of Galicia are determined to ensure that their voices are heard. From public protests to legal challenges, the community is united in its fight to stop the Altri pulp mill. As they continue to resist, they are not just fighting for their local environment—they are standing up for a future where people and nature can thrive together.
Zeltia summed up the resolve of the people in the region: “We are prepared to take this matter to court, where we are confident that we will stop it. We will do everything in our power to make sure this project does not proceed.”
As this battle unfolds, it remains to be seen whether the EU will uphold its environmental commitments or allow public funds to fuel the destruction of a region’s delicate ecosystems. One thing is certain: the people of Galicia are determined to protect their land, and they will continue to stand firm in the face of this industrial threat.