The Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2024 starts on Monday, February 26 in Barcelona and lasts until Thursday, February 29. However, it is overshadowed this year by the severe drought in Catalonia.
The organisers have taken measures to limit water consumption during the event. Hotels are also encouraged to inform the more than 95,000 expected conference participants about water savings.
Since February 1, Catalonia has been in a state of emergency due to an ongoing drought, after more than three years of below-average rainfall. The region, one of the most populous in Spain, has had to take unprecedented measures. The aim of the arrival of the MWC is to prevent the situation from deteriorating further due to the increased water consumption of tens of thousands of visitors.
‘Every drop counts’
The GSMA and Fira de Barcelona sent water saving guidelines to participants via email. The message is: ‘Every drop counts! Help us support drought measures and use water responsibly. This message will also be visible on more than 20 digital screens in and around the event site. Fira de Barcelona has already taken steps to reduce water consumption. For example, it replaces traditional toilets with waterless variants. Digital water consumption monitoring systems have also been installed to detect leaks.
The role of accommodations
Although Fira makes efforts to limit water consumption, the greatest consumption takes place in the accommodations where conference attendees stay. The Association of Hotels in Barcelona emphasises that water consumption has been reduced by 40% in the last seven years. Hotels such as the Hilton Diagonal Mar have launched campaigns to raise awareness of water conservation. Among other things, they encourage guests to shower instead of bathe. This can save a significant amount of water.
Awareness
These measures are intended to raise awareness among both locals and visitors of the serious drought situation in Catalonia and the importance of responsible water use. While these efforts will not solve the crisis, they highlight the need for collective action and responsibility in times of environmental emergency.
What is Mobile World Congress (MWC)?
The Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona is the world’s largest and most influential event for the mobile industry. It is organised by the GSMA (Global System for Mobile Communications Association). Every year it brings together thousands of professionals from mobile telecommunications, technology, and related sectors in Barcelona.
The latest innovations and technologies are presented during the conference. This includes smartphones, wearables, mobile software, networking technologies, and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and 5G. It provides a platform for networking, sharing knowledge, and forming business partnerships. There is also an extensive program of keynotes, workshops, and exhibitions. The MWC is not only a showcase for technological advancements, but also plays a crucial role in determining the future direction of the mobile industry. Click here for the program.
Also read: Water restrictions in Catalonia affect up to 6 million people
