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The report argues that Spanish river basin planning continues to prioritise socioeconomic demands over environmental objectives, leading to the degradation of aquatic ecosystems. It identifies systemic failures in quantifying water resources under climate change, an over-reliance on ineffective irrigation modernisation, and the misuse of WFD exemptions to defer environmental recovery. Case studies of the Tagus, Ebro Delta, Doñana, and Mar Menor illustrate severe overexploitation and pollution, while the Alcolea dam project is cited as an example of flawed cost-recovery and strategic planning.

The report argues that Spanish hydrological planning consistently fails to prioritize environmental objectives over agricultural demands, leading to widespread failure in achieving 'good status' for water bodies. It highlights a systemic reliance on irrigation modernization as a flawed adaptation strategy, the misuse of WFD exemptions to delay environmental recovery, and the critical failure to implement adequate ecological flows, particularly in the Tajo and Ebro basins. Case studies on Doñana, Mar Menor, and the Alcolea dam further illustrate the gap between legal protections and actual water management practices.

The report details a co-research process with local stakeholders in the Mar Menor region, highlighting deep social tensions, distrust of public administrations, and conflicting interpretations of scientific data regarding lagoon degradation. It identifies a territorial fracture between the lagoon and the Campo de Cartagena, as well as internal tensions among locals who value the ecosystem but depend on economic activities—such as agriculture and fishing—that impact it. Key findings include the need for better management of the rising water table, the invisibility of traditional fishing practices, and the necessity of integrating socio-historical knowledge with biophysical sciences to address the roots of the crisis.