Bill proposing emission cuts and an energy transition for Spain

Automatic summary, not yet reviewed

1. The bill would set national targets: cutting greenhouse gas emissions by at least 26% by 2030 compared to 2005 in sectors outside the emissions trading system, and by at least 80% by 2050 compared to 1990 for the whole economy.
2. It would create two planning tools: the Integrated National Energy and Climate Plans, for the medium term, and the 2050 Low Emissions Strategy, to be approved before December 31, 2019, with an intermediate target for 2040.
3. All Public Administrations would have to spend more than 20% of their annual budget on climate action, and revenue from emissions allowance auctions would go toward the bill's goals.
4. The autonomous communities would need mitigation and adaptation plans before December 31, 2021, and municipalities with over 100,000 residents would need local plans covering mobility, air conditioning and waste.
5. It would impose duties on companies and the financial sector: the Bank of Spain would issue a report every two years on climate risks, and the Government would decide which companies must calculate and publish their carbon footprint with a reduction plan.
6. It would strengthen adaptation and monitoring: a National Adaptation Plan revised before 2019, sector plans on health, water and agriculture before 2020, and an Observatory on Climate Change and Energy Transition.

Who it affects

• Public Administrations: They would have to spend over 20% of their budget on climate action, calculate their carbon footprint and apply climate criteria in public procurement.
• Autonomous communities and large municipalities: They would need their own mitigation and adaptation plans; municipalities over 100,000 residents starting in 2021.
• Companies: Those designated by the Government would have to calculate and publish their carbon footprint and adopt emission reduction plans.
• Financial sector: It would have to calculate its carbon footprint and apply upcoming EU sustainable finance rules.
• Workers in transforming sectors: A Strategic Plan for Sustainable Transition and a Green Training Plan would support their retraining and employment.

Words worth knowing

Gases de efecto invernadero (greenhouse gases)

Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere and cause global warming, such as carbon dioxide.

Derechos de emisión (emission allowances)

A permit to emit one ton of carbon dioxide; allowances are bought and sold in a European market.

Huella de carbono (carbon footprint)

The total greenhouse gases produced by an activity, directly or indirectly.

Mitigación (mitigation)

Action to reduce emissions or increase what absorbs them, such as forests.

Sumidero (sink)

Any process that absorbs greenhouse gases from the atmosphere, for example a forest.

It summarizes the text as it was introduced. It is written by artificial intelligence and may contain mistakes: the official text is what counts. Read the official text · How we make summaries