Environmental Policies
#10Key Findings
With new ambition evident, Spain performs well (rank 10) with regard to environmental policy. Its score on this measure has improved by 1.8 points since 2014.
The country has passed a new climate change and energy transition law with ambitious targets for 2030, including a reduction in greenhouse-gas emissions by 20% compared with 1990, a renewable share of at least 35% in final energy consumption, an electrical system with at least 70% of power coming from renewables, and a reduction of 35% in primary energy consumption.
Longer-term, the plan is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 90% and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. Investment in renewable energy, e-mobility infrastructure, ecosystem and biodiversity protection, and housing-stock renewal is rising.
The government has adopted a circular economy strategy, a green infrastructure strategy and a hydrological planning cycle. It is planning to increase climate-related funding to less developed countries by 50% by 2025.
The country has passed a new climate change and energy transition law with ambitious targets for 2030, including a reduction in greenhouse-gas emissions by 20% compared with 1990, a renewable share of at least 35% in final energy consumption, an electrical system with at least 70% of power coming from renewables, and a reduction of 35% in primary energy consumption.
Longer-term, the plan is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 90% and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. Investment in renewable energy, e-mobility infrastructure, ecosystem and biodiversity protection, and housing-stock renewal is rising.
The government has adopted a circular economy strategy, a green infrastructure strategy and a hydrological planning cycle. It is planning to increase climate-related funding to less developed countries by 50% by 2025.
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How effectively does environmental policy in your country protect and preserve the sustainability of natural resources and environmental quality?
10
9
9
Environmental policy goals are ambitious and effectively implemented as well as monitored within and across most relevant policy sectors that account for the largest share of resource use and emissions.
8
7
6
7
6
Environmental policy goals are mainly ambitious and effectively implemented and are monitored within and across some of the relevant policy sectors that account for the largest share of resource use and emissions.
5
4
3
4
3
Environmental policy goals are neither particularly ambitious nor are they effectively implemented and coordinated across relevant policy sectors.
2
1
1
Environmental concerns have been largely abandoned.
In December 2020, Spain adopted its National Integrated Energy and Climate Plan (ENCP) 2021 – 2030. The long-term goal of the plan is to make Spain carbon neutral by 2050, to achieve a 90% reduction in GHG emissions from 1990 levels by 2050, and to base the electricity system exclusively on renewable sources of generation.
The ambitious National Plan for Adaptation to Climate Change for the period 2021 – 2030 was also approved in 2020. This plan establishes strategic objectives and defines an assessment system as well as indicators for impact and adaptation to climate change. In May 2021, a very ambitious Climate Change and Energy Transition Law was passed. This law establishes the following minimum national targets for the year 2030 (Article 3.1):
- Reduction of greenhouse gases by at least 20% compared with 1990.
- A renewable-energy share of at least 35% in final energy consumption.
- An electrical system in which at least 70% of the energy comes from renewables.
- A reduction in primary energy consumption of at least 35% from the baseline in accordance with EU regulations.
The Climate Change and Energy Transition Law contains also specific measures for implementation.
Moreover regarding the four key targets of protection, the government adopted a Circular Economy Strategy, a Green Infrastructure Strategy and a hydrological planning cycle in 2021.
Within the RRP, the government moved its 2025 energy transition targets forward to 2023 and increased investments for renewable energy, the protection of ecosystems and biodiversity, the renewal of the housing stock, and infrastructure for electric mobility. According to a report by international climate experts, the RRP will make a positive contribution to the green transition, while also supporting less developed regions.
Citations:
Gobierno de España (2021), Ley 7/2021, de 20 de mayo, de cambio climático y transición energética.
Gobierno de España (2021), Estrategia Española de Economía Circular y Planes de Acción – https://www.miteco.gob.es/es/calidad-y-evaluacion-ambiental/temas/economia-circular/estrategia/
Gobierno de España (2020). Plan Nacional de Adaptación al Cambio Climático 2021-2030.
The ambitious National Plan for Adaptation to Climate Change for the period 2021 – 2030 was also approved in 2020. This plan establishes strategic objectives and defines an assessment system as well as indicators for impact and adaptation to climate change. In May 2021, a very ambitious Climate Change and Energy Transition Law was passed. This law establishes the following minimum national targets for the year 2030 (Article 3.1):
- Reduction of greenhouse gases by at least 20% compared with 1990.
- A renewable-energy share of at least 35% in final energy consumption.
- An electrical system in which at least 70% of the energy comes from renewables.
- A reduction in primary energy consumption of at least 35% from the baseline in accordance with EU regulations.
The Climate Change and Energy Transition Law contains also specific measures for implementation.
Moreover regarding the four key targets of protection, the government adopted a Circular Economy Strategy, a Green Infrastructure Strategy and a hydrological planning cycle in 2021.
Within the RRP, the government moved its 2025 energy transition targets forward to 2023 and increased investments for renewable energy, the protection of ecosystems and biodiversity, the renewal of the housing stock, and infrastructure for electric mobility. According to a report by international climate experts, the RRP will make a positive contribution to the green transition, while also supporting less developed regions.
Citations:
Gobierno de España (2021), Ley 7/2021, de 20 de mayo, de cambio climático y transición energética.
Gobierno de España (2021), Estrategia Española de Economía Circular y Planes de Acción – https://www.miteco.gob.es/es/calidad-y-evaluacion-ambiental/temas/economia-circular/estrategia/
Gobierno de España (2020). Plan Nacional de Adaptación al Cambio Climático 2021-2030.
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To what extent does the government actively contribute to the design and advancement of global environmental protection regimes?
10
9
9
The government actively contributes to international efforts to design and advance global environmental protection regimes. In most cases, it demonstrates commitment to existing regimes, contributes to their being advanced and has introduced appropriate reforms.
8
7
6
7
6
The government contributes to international efforts to strengthen global environmental protection regimes. It demonstrates commitment to existing regimes and occasionally contributes to their being advanced and/or has introduced some appropriate reforms.
5
4
3
4
3
The government demonstrates commitment to existing regimes, but does not contribute to their being advanced and has not introduced appropriate reforms.
2
1
1
The government does not contribute to international efforts to strengthen global environmental protection regimes.
Spain is committed to existing multilateral environmental protection regimes (including the Paris Agreement on climate change, and the 2030 Agenda with its 17 Sustainable Development Goals). During the period under review, the Spanish government supported the efforts of the COP 26 climate summit. The Integrated National Plan of Energy and Climate (following the European climatic strategy) foresees regional cooperation with neighbor countries in terms of energy security at a minimum
According to the government, Spain will increase climate-related funding, seeking to increase current commitments in financial aid to less developed countries by 50% by 2025. Spain will also add the donation of 20% of its new Special Drawing Rights to vulnerable countries: a minimum of €350 million to the IMF’s Poverty Reduction Facility and support the new Resilience and Sustainability Fund. This external action will be reinforced by Spain’s contribution of €30 million to the United Nations Adaptation Fund in 2022.
Citations:
Ministry for Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge (2020): Integrated National Plan of Energy and Clima, available at: https://www.miteco.gob.es/images/es/pnieccompleto_tcm30-508410.pdf
According to the government, Spain will increase climate-related funding, seeking to increase current commitments in financial aid to less developed countries by 50% by 2025. Spain will also add the donation of 20% of its new Special Drawing Rights to vulnerable countries: a minimum of €350 million to the IMF’s Poverty Reduction Facility and support the new Resilience and Sustainability Fund. This external action will be reinforced by Spain’s contribution of €30 million to the United Nations Adaptation Fund in 2022.
Citations:
Ministry for Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge (2020): Integrated National Plan of Energy and Clima, available at: https://www.miteco.gob.es/images/es/pnieccompleto_tcm30-508410.pdf