In today’s context, agriculture is increasingly affected by the consequences of climate change. Sudden weather variations—such as torrential rains or unusually high temperatures at atypical times of the year—are contributing to the development of resistance among pests and diseases to conventional chemical treatments. For this reason, the search for natural and sustainable solutions has become a priority. In this scenario, beneficial microorganisms and spontaneous vegetation are emerging as key allies in defending both strategic crops and our urban spaces.
Agricultural soils host millions of microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi (Trichoderma spp., Bacillus, and Pseudomonas), which, either acting on their own or in symbiosis with plants, play a fundamental role in protection against pests and diseases. These microorganisms act in various ways: they compete with pathogens for nutrients and space, produce antimicrobial compounds that inhibit pathogen action, induce plant defense systems, and improve soil nutrition and structure—thus enhancing the resilience of the plants growing there, including ornamental trees in cities.
Likewise, spontaneous vegetation, traditionally considered ‘weeds’, can be a great ally against pathogens if properly managed. These naturally growing plants, fully adapted to their environment, offer a wide range of benefits that should be exploited. They host natural enemies of pests—such as predatory insects and parasitoids—promote the presence of beneficial microorganisms in the rhizosphere (as they already possess their own microbial ecosystem), act as physical or biological barriers against pathogens, and significantly contribute to the functional biodiversity of ecosystems.
Therefore, incorporating these plants becomes essential to understanding the surrounding ecosystem and using it to generate a natural and effective system of defense against the pests and diseases affecting crops.
Spontaneous vegetation
Interaction between microbiota and spontaneous vegetation
The synergy between both elements is fundamental. Spontaneous vegetation influences the composition of soil microbiota through root exudates and can act as a reservoir for protective microorganisms. Recent studies show that plots with diverse vegetative cover present greater resistance to diseases.
These synergies are being successfully applied in strategic crops such as grapevine, almond, olive, and pistachio, providing resilience and sustainability in the face of adverse climate conditions.
The strategy to ensure this interaction is fully functional and effective involves the identification and inoculation of native microbial consortia—microorganisms fully adapted to the environment and unlikely to be rejected—alongside appropriate management of spontaneous vegetation by creating seed mixes tailored to each crop or context. Moreover, minimizing tillage and maintenance tasks helps reduce energy consumption and our carbon footprint.
Practical applications of spontaneous vegetation in Castilla y León
In Castilla y León, numerous species of spontaneous vegetation have been identified that can be strategically integrated into cultivation systems. Species such as Papaver rhoeas (common poppy), Sinapis arvensis (wild mustard), Plantago lanceolata (ribwort plantain), and Stellaria media (chickweed) are common in dryland areas and field margins. These plants not only compete with invasive species but also provide habitats for beneficial insects and enhance soil biodiversity.
One of the simplest and most practical applications of these natural resources is their implementation in urban areas (Fig. 1), transforming degraded and low-value spaces into high-biodiversity zones that significantly contribute to the human-plant-soil interaction axis.
Fig 1. Degradeed tree pit (left) and blooming tree pit with spontaneous vegetation (right). 2022. Source: Aragon newspaper
The selective management of these species, using techniques such as differential mowing or designing vegetative cover strips, is proving agronomically and ecologically beneficial in recent field trials in cereal, grapevine, and olive crops.
Conclusion: nature as an ally for agricultural sustainability
The integration of beneficial microorganisms and spontaneous vegetation represents an effective strategy for a more natural and sustainable agriculture. Promoting these practices not only helps protect strategic crops and urban gardens but also improves soil health, reduces dependency on chemical inputs, and helps control energy consumption. It is time to view the soil and surrounding environment as our true allies in agricultural protection.
– FAO (2022). *Harnessing the potential of soil biodiversity in agroecosystems*. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. – Poveda, J., & González-Andrés, F. (2021). *Biological control of plant diseases through the rhizosphere microorganisms: Emerging strategies and challenges*. Frontiers in Microbiology, 12, 671495. – European Commission (2020). *Biodiversity Strategy for 2030: Bringing nature back into our lives*. – Martínez-Hernández, C. et al. (2023). *Vegetation management and soil microbiota interactions in Mediterranean agroecosystems*. Agronomy for Sustainable Development, 43(2).
Have you ever wondered what a world where renewable energy storage is efficient and affordable would look like?
One of the challenges society must address to achieve effective decarbonization is increasing the generation and penetration of renewable energy. Despite the progress made, the intermittency of sources such as solar and wind, jalong with the need to optimize complex systems, limits the potential of these energies. Furthermore, energy storage technology developers face high risks when testing new devices in changing environments which can limit the insights gained.
At CARTIF, we have a multi-system test bench that allows us to store these surplus potentials in different formats: batteries, hydrogen and heat. In addition to evaluating the transformation chain in each case, we can characterize its behaviour in response to variations in demand, assessing its dynamic behaviour.
It is designed to replicate real-life energy scenarios, offering a unique environment where companies can confidently validate strategies and devices. We highlight some of its features:
Advanced technology: Includes PEM fuel cell, AEM electrolyzer, electric batteries, and hydrogen storage in metal hydrides.
Realistic simulation: Ability to emulate energy generation and demand profiles when interconnected with a data acquisition system.
Intelligent control: Incorporates a multi-level control system that optimizes operations in real time and allows for long-term analysis.
How can energy companies maximize the efficiency of its systems?
Here is where our test bench enters in game. These are some of the key advantages:
Accelerated innovation: Mathematical models have been developed to scale and visualize the performance that would be achieved with larger installations.
Risks mitigation: It allows for a reduction in the risk of technological scaling, as new technologies can be validated and development costs can be reduced by anticipating potential errors.
Superior energy efficiency: Through tests simulating its operation in the residential sector, up to 90% of the generated energy surpluses have been utilized, reducing peak demand, installed base power, and dependence on the electrical grid by up to 50%.
Regulatory compliance: The information extracted can also be used to ensure compliance with environmental and safety legislation.
CARTIF Multi-system Test Bench
Why you should be interested on this solution?
The energy sector is immersed in a critical transition to clean energy sources. The decisions you make now could determine the success of your projects in the coming years. Our test bench offers you the security and flexibility you need to lead this revolution.
Join the transformation! If you are an energy company looking to optimize resources or a developer needing to validate your products, this test bench is for you.
Discover the power of controlled innovation. Maximize your systems, reduce risks, and lead the way toward a sustainable energy future.
Contact us and take the next step toward technological excellence!
Luis Ángel Bujedo.Industrial Engineer. He works on energy efficiency and integration of renewable energy in buildings and industrial processes, especially on photovoltaic applications, monitoring and control of solar facilities and identification of cold facilities.
Three problems, one only answer: water-energy-food nexus
This year we´ve experienced situations as diverse as a widespread blackout that left us without power and basic services for several hours; a period of intense rain that, while providing sufficient water, also caused flooding in certain regions, and heat waves that have led to fires and droughts affecting forests and farmland.
If all these events are causing a huge headache for us, who live in a socially and technologically developed country with the capacity for prevention and response, it is logical to assume that in other contexts with far fewer possibilities, their impacts will be exponentially more damaging.
A clear example of this is the African continent, which, despite having a vast array of natural resources, constantly faces energy, food, and resource management challenges. To make matters worse, its current and future economic and demographic development only exacerbates these problems, as greater social growth implies greater demands for electricity, water, and food.
Everything is connected (even it seems it doesn´t)
When we experience a drought, our minds often focus on the lack of water for drinking or irrigating crops. However, a drought can also mean less hydroelectric production and, therefore, more pressure on the grid and electricity prices. If harvests are reduced due to lack of water or extreme heat, food production plummets and, consequently, food prices skyrocket. If a power outage prevents water from being pumped or food from being stored, the problem worsens.
This web of interdependencies is no coincidence. Water, energy, and food form an interconnected system where any change in one element can trigger effects on the others. That’s why the approach known as the Water-Energy-Food Nexus Methodology (or WEF Nexus Methodology) has been promoted for years.
Graphical representation of the Water-Energy-Food Nexus. Clean Energy Solution Center, Clean Energy Ministerial (2011)
What is the NEXO approach?
NEXO proposes, like many other theories, that the best way to address challenges related to natural resources is to move away from traditional silo thinking (understanding each resource as an individual entity, separate from the rest) and instead approach them in an integrated manner, understanding them as complex and interconnected systems in which acting on one will affect another, either negatively or positively. This systemic methodological approach analyzes how water, energy, and food interact with each other, while also including the influence of other associated factors such as the economy, demographics, climate change, and so on.
Rather than thinking “how do we improve agriculture?” or “how do we guarantee the electricity supply?”, the NEXO approach leads us to ask how we can guarantee sustainable access to all three resources simultaneously, without harming any and maximizing joint benefits. This approach allows us to anticipate conflicts, optimize resources, and make more balanced decisions in highly complex contexts.
Model to understand (and to decide better)
But of course, understanding and predicting these relationships is not easy. How do you measure the impact of a new dam on agricultural production? What effect does an increase in fuel prices have on water use in a region? How does urban growth influence food security?
To answer these questions, we need to study how these relationships have worked in the past. This is achieved through real historical data that feeds models: tools that digitally represent the relationships between the different elements of the system. These models draw on historical values to simulate different future scenarios, allowing us to analyze the effects of different political or strategic decisions. They do not seek to offer a single answer, but rather to create a framework for evaluating alternatives and making informed decisions.
Africa has a real laboratory: ONEPlanET case
The ONEPlanETProject, of which CARTIF is a key partner and a key element, was born from this approach. As part of the Horizon Europe research program, ONEPlanET began in November 2022 and will hold its final event next October in Cape Verde. Its main objective is to contribute to sustainable development in Africa by creating a common WEF Nexus modeling framework, which allows for the simulation and evaluation of different policy and resource management alternatives. To this end, three river basins have been chosen as case studies: the Inkomati-Usuthu Basin (South Africa), the Bani River Basin (Mali-Ivory Coast), and the Songwe River Basin (Tanzania-Malawi).
The initial stages consisted of an in-depth study of the case studies, organizing in-person workshops with local stakeholders (NGOs, policymakers, universities, etc.). The more technical sections then began, involving the characterization of the specific models for each pilot, the collection of data to feed them, and the development of the models themselves and their visualization tools. Currently, work is focused on the presentation and accessibility of the results. To this end, two avenues have been designed: an online tool aimed at technical users and a board game to raise awareness among broader audiences about the challenges of the nexus.
CARTIF has participated in every stage of the project: from workshops with local organizations and data collection to the creation of the models and the development of the two results visualization options.
A tool to understand the present and design the future
Although ONEPlanET is being developed in Africa, the NEXO approach and the modeling tools it promotes are replicable anywhere in the world and at any scale, provided the required data are available. In an increasingly interdependent global context, marked by climate change, resource pressure, and growing uncertainty, understanding how water, energy, and food interact is more urgent than ever.
Because the challenges of the future and the present don’t come in watertight compartments. And neither should the solutions.
In sectors as diverse as construction, logistics, heritage, and industry, the Internet of Things (IoT) has become a key factor in driving digitalization, improving efficiency, and opening up new opportunities for innovation.
When designing an electronic device, attention is often focused on the most important and prominent components, such as processors, sensors, or communication modules. However, the printed circuit board (PCB) is a key element, as its design has a decisive impact on the proper functioning, efficiency, and reliability of the system as a whole.
Energy efficiency is a fundamental pillar in the development of any equipment. A well-designed PCB allows for optimal energy transmission, minimizing losses associated with excessive resistance in copper tracks and poor component organization. If signals are forced to travel unnecessarily long distances or through tracks that are too narrow, the result is increased heat generation, higher energy consumption, and a shorter device lifespan.
The organization of the elements on the PCB is another crucial aspect. Very diverse functions coexist on the same circuit, such as power distribution, digital signal transmission, and high-sensitivity analog signal management. To obtain a clean and stable signal flow, it is essential that these functions are properly isolated from each other, allowing the device to operate predictably and without errors.
“The organization of the elements on the PCB is another crucial aspect. Very diverse functions coexist on the same circuit that must be properly isolated from each other to obtain a clean and stable signal flow”
Protection against electromagnetic interference is no less important. In today’s environment, marked by the proliferation of wireless communications, broadcasting, and industrial machinery, devices are exposed to all kinds of external disturbances. These can generate noise and interference in signals, and can even cause power surges capable of damaging components and tracks. In addition, poor design can turn the PCB into a source of interference for itself and surrounding devices. The application of techniques such as continuous ground planes, compact layer stacking, reduced signal paths, and auxiliary filtering elements is essential to mitigate all these risks.
Aware of the importance of these aspects, at CARTIF we apply these principles from the prototyping phase, anticipating their adaptation to future industrialization processes. In the case of BATERURGIA project, this enabled the development of a monitoring and warning device for the transport and storage of electric vehicle batteries. Similarly, in AUTOLOG, it enabled the creation of a device integrated into self-guided industrial vehicles, aimed at collecting logistical data in order to improve process traceability and optimize transport routes.
Innovation isn´t just about having a good idea. It´s about fighting for it when nobody does. It´s about shaping it when it´s still intangible, about falling a hundred times until, suddenly, something starts to shine.
We tend to think when we talk about innovation, that thanks to the emergence of a brilliant idea we´ve solved that small goal or problem or, on other occasions, a huge problem that can transform the world. The truth is that no brilliant idea goes very far unless it´s achieved by people who, with great effort and perserverance, manage to “materialse” that brilliant idea.
Innovations can emerge from any corner of an organization. Often, management levels find it easier to turn an intuition into a line of work, but it´s also common for a good idea to emerge from the technical team, production, quality, or even administration. The real challenge is ensuring that the idea survives all the obstacles involved in becoming a reality. And there are many obstacles, fromclose colleagues, managers who don´t support the idea because is more comfortable to remain in their comfort zone, to obtaining internal or external financing. In other words, the challenge of innovation often lies in surviving the effort of going from an idea to a clear reality.
“The challenge of innovation often lies in surviving the effort of going from an idea to a clear reality”.
History is full of brilliant ideas that died for lack of perseverance. But it´s also full of projects that were born, not beacuse they were obvious or perfect, but because someone insisted beyond reason. Rarely do these ideas and the people behind them change the worl as we know it (disruptive innovations1).
To illustrate with real-life examples how brilliant ideas change the world, let´s talk about one of the most shocking stories of innovation: the 2014 Nobel Prize in Physics awarded to Isamu Akasaki, Hiroshi Amano and Shuji Nakamura for the invention of the BLUE LED. That small invention allows us to have thin LED screens today, and thanks to which you can read this from your laptop, mobile phone or tablet (there are several more applications thanks to this invention)
Source: La Vanguardia. https://www.lavanguardia.com/ciencia/20141007/54416831597/nobel-fisica-2014-akasaki-amano-nakamura.html
BLUE LED History
For decades, red, green and yellow LEDs were achieved. But not blue. And without blue, efficient white light, LED displays, and low-consumption projectors couldn´t be created. The world´s leading companies and research centres tried and failed. It was simply too difficult.
The challenge lay in the base material. Gallium nitride (GaN) was the best option, but it was very complex to synthesize and dope. The crystals were defective. The light emission was unstable. Many tried and all gave up.
All except three people: Isamu Akasaki, Hiroshi Amano y Shuji Nakamura.
Akasaki and Amano, from Nagoya University, began experimenting in the 80´s.
Nakamura, an engineer at a small Japanese company called Nichia Corporation, continued his research almost self-taught, against the advice of those around him.
For years, they worked with limited resources, without visibility, suffering constant failures and rejection from the scientific community. But they persisted.
In 1993, Nakamura finally succeeded in developing the first highly efficient, commercially available blue LED. That blue light not only changed lighting, but also paved the way for new sustainable and more efficient technologies. In 2014, the three received the Nobel Prize in Physics for an innovation that took 30 years to see the light of day… literally.
I would encourage you to reread the story of this invention in more detail, because it truly is a great example of how perseverance and effort can literally change the world for the better. Furthermore, we can learn valuable lessons from this story:
Most companies abandon an idea if there are no results within six months. The blue LED took more than a decade to work, and decades to be recognized.
Understand innovation as a marathon, not a sprint.
True innovation requires more effort than genius.
Innovation must be sustained, even when there are no results.
“In organizations, we should value those who persist with rigor and conviction. Not all ideas are going to change the world, but many that would never do so because no one fights hard enough for them. Like the blue LED, perhaps your company’s next great innovation isn’t in the most visible idea, but in that person who keeps believing in it, even when everything else fails.”
Because in the end, innovation isn’t just about being right, it’s about having the determination to prove it when no one else sees it.
1. Disruptive Innovations
A process by which products, services, or business models are introduced that radically transform an existing market, creating new ways of satisfying needs or even creating entirely new markets
If my grandma had heard about green marketing, she would have raised an eyebrow saying: “That sounds like they’re selling you the same thing… just with a pine-scented label.”
And if I told her about the recent situation with Ursula von der Leyen, having to confirm her support for the Green Claims Directive after days of confusion in her team, she would say: “Typical, Laura… they say one thing in the morning, the opposite in the afternoon, and in the end, you don’t know if they’re talking about sustainability or horoscopes.”
And honestly, she wouldn’t be wrong.
In recent years, environmental sustainability has become a powerful marketing tool but not always supported by real actions. To stop misleading practices known as “greenwashing”, the European Union has worked on two key directives: the Consumer Empowerment Directive (2024/825), already approved and waiting to be adapted into Spanish law, and the Green Claims Directive, which sets clear rules for making environmental claims that are based on real data. It was planned to start applying from 27 September 2026. But we say was because, just before its final approval, the text was suspended after disagreements in the European Parliament, which has left the proposal at a critical point, now depending on clarification and a common position among EU Member State.
This directive aimed to bring order to the confusing jungle of green labels. The goal: make sure any environmental claim (like “100% recycled” or “carbon neutral”) is checked and supported by solid data, such as a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). In its most ambitious version, it even required using official methods like Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) or Organisation Environmental Footprint (OEF). But political discussions have diluted the content, and now it risks being forgotten. A shame, because people need protection from greenwashing and honest companies should be acknowledged. This law wasn’t meant to annoy them. Quite the opposite.
” People need protection from greenwashing and honest companies should be acknowledged”
Meanwhile, pressure from consumers and civil organisations is already working. Just look at the recent cases of Coca-Cola and Adidas, who had to step back from their “green” messages after investigations into misleading advertising.
Source: Adidas
In Coca-Cola’s case, a complaint from European consumer and environmental groups led the Commission to act. The company agreed to change phrases like “made with 100% recycled plastic”, because it only referred to the bottle’s body, not the cap or label. Adidas, on the other hand, had to stop advertising a shoe line as “more sustainable” without explaining how or why. These cases show one thing clearly: it’s not enough to use a green leaf or the recycling symbol. It’s not about looking green, you have to prove it.
So, while some still confuse sustainability with decoration, we at CARTIF provide solid technical tools to help companies move towards models that are truly sustainable and transparent. Our Sustainability and Climate Neutrality team has worked for years with companies that want to improve and base their decisions on real, measurable data.
And how do we do that without magic balls or green leaves? With tools like these:
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA): because understanding a product’s environmental impact requires robust calculations based on ISO standards, not just guessing.
Environmental footprinting: starting with carbon (the celebrity of the group), but also including others like acidification or land use… to support decisions that are grounded in real impact, not in excuses.
Eco-labelling and green communication support: because telling the truth also needs practice.
Eco-design strategies: because if something is poorly designed from the beginning, no label can save it. This is where sustainability starts, in the plans, the materials, the packaging… and yes, even in the stylish decisions (with less waste and more purpose).
By combining all these tools, our mission is to help companies move towards models that are not only more environmentally sustainable, but also more honest and consistent. We guide them to measure, improve and communicate (in that order). We want them to share their sustainability story with confidence, and make sure their storytelling matches their storydoing.
And to Úrsula, we ask just one simple (but urgent) thing: don’t leave out the companies doing things right. The ones that choose to measure, improve and communicate with transparency while competing with those selling green smoke.
Because yes, it is possible to talk about sustainability without green make-up. All it takes is rigour, commitment… and a bit of common sense. Just like my grandma had.
