- The ALERT-PFAS project promotes a coordinated response among science, public administration and industry with the organisation of the event “From Science to Action: Towards a Common Transnational Response to PFAS”.
- The event will present the new Transnational Strategic Plan to prevent PFAS pollution and will address emerging environmental challenges facing Europe.
Santiago de Compostela, 2 December 2025.– FEUGA, the Galician Enterprise–University Foundation, will host this Thursday the event “From Science to Action: Towards a Common Transnational Response to PFAS”, a conference organised within the framework of the Interreg SUDOE project ALERT-PFAS. The event aims to strengthen collaboration between public administrations, the scientific community, companies and civil society to address the growing impact of these persistent chemical substances. The meeting will showcase the progress of the project and marks a decisive step towards coordinated policies in Portugal, Spain and France.
The opening session will feature the participation of Isabelle Roger, Director of the Interreg SUDOE Programme, and representatives of the ALERT-PFAS consortium. Throughout the day, speakers will highlight the urgency of coordinated action in the face of an environmental and health risk affecting forest areas, industrial zones and critical water resources. The event will create a space for dialogue aimed at integrating scientific evidence into public decision-making.
PFAS and their contaminating effect on the environment
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) comprise a broad family of synthetic compounds known as “forever chemicals”. These substances have been used for decades due to their thermal and chemical resistance. This same stability, however, makes them persistent pollutants capable of remaining for years in water, soil and ecosystems.
The problem has taken on a new dimension with the increase in fires in wildland–urban interface areas, where the combustion of materials treated with PFAS can release them into the environment and facilitate their spread into natural ecosystems. Climate change intensifies this trend, especially in southern Europe, undermining water security and the resilience of vulnerable regions. In this context, access to robust assessment and prevention tools becomes essential for territorial planning.
Presentation of the PFAS Strategy
The FEUGA event offers a joint response to this challenge. The programme brings together specialists from universities, technology centres and public administrations across the SUDOE area. The project’s Q-helix approach promotes cooperation in which academia, businesses, citizens and governments share a common vision and capacities to anticipate risks and define more effective control strategies.
The event will highlight two key outcomes of the ALERT-PFAS project. Firstly, the presentation of the Transnational Strategic Plan for Preventing PFAS Pollution, a report designed to support regional and local governments in the early identification of pollution sources, the coordination of responses and the reduction of environmental impacts. Secondly, the PFAS Risk Management Tool will be presented—a platform that facilitates the identification, assessment and prioritisation of risks in wildland–urban interface areas, industrial zones and sensitive water bodies.
The programme will also feature a thematic session focusing on improving early detection in the forestry sector, regulatory implications of the European regulation, new obligations for local administrations and opportunities to strengthen environmental monitoring. A dedicated panel will open discussion on industry and sustainable production. In addition, a networking space will be available to foster synergies among projects, technology companies and authorities responsible for emergency management and water resources.
The event is organised by FEUGA and the ALERT-PFAS project consortium. It will take place on 4 December, from 09:30 to 14:30 at FEUGA’s headquarters, Rúa de Lope Gómez de Marzoa, s/n, Santiago de Compostela. Admission is free with prior registration via https://forms.office.com/e/W9GQCRqCB3.
About ALERT-PFAS
ALERT-PFAS is a project co-financed by the Interreg SUDOE Programme through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), with a total budget of €1,845,945.00. It brings together partners from Portugal, Spain and France to improve the detection, assessment and prevention of PFAS pollution in southwest Europe.