Salamanca implements new sustainability, leadership, and surveillance initiatives

The city of Salamanca is implementing several new administrative and institutional developments. The University of Salamanca (USAL) has improved its standing in the 2026 UI GreenMetric World University Rankings, rising 15 positions to 234th internationally and maintaining 5th place in Spain. The university showed progress in categories such as energy, climate change, waste, and transportation.

In local governance, Mayor Carlos García Carbayo will assume the presidency of the ‘Huellas de Teresa’ network of cities for the coming year. This rotating leadership role involves fourteen Spanish cities connected to the legacy of Saint Teresa of Jesus.

Additionally, the Salamanca City Council has expanded its drone surveillance program. Managed by local police and firefighters, the fleet of five drones is being used to monitor illegal waste dumping, traffic accidents, and the protection of cultural heritage sites. Data indicates an 18% reduction in the monthly frequency of illegal dumping since the implementation of aerial surveillance and deterrent signage.