Spain's goals and measures against climate change

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1. It sets minimum targets for 2030: cut greenhouse gas emissions by at least 23% from 1990 levels, reach at least 42% renewable energy in final energy consumption and 74% renewable electricity, and improve energy efficiency. Spain must reach climate neutrality before 2050.
2. It creates two planning tools: the National Integrated Energy and Climate Plans, which set sector targets and measures, and the 2050 Decarbonization Strategy, reviewable every five years.
3. It bans new authorizations to explore, research or extract hydrocarbons across the national territory, including the sea, and new permits for radioactive minerals. New tax breaks for fossil fuel products are only allowed if justified by social or economic interest or the lack of technological alternatives.
4. On mobility, municipalities with over 50,000 residents and island territories must adopt sustainable urban mobility plans by 2023, including low emission zones. Gas stations with large annual gasoline and diesel sales must install electric charging points.
5. It establishes the National Climate Change Adaptation Plan as the basic tool against climate change effects, with indicators and risk reports, and requires climate to be considered in water, coastal, urban planning, food safety and public health management.
6. It creates the Just Transition Strategy and just transition agreements to protect workers and areas most affected by the closure of polluting activities, and regulates the end of national coal production.
7. It reserves part of the State Budget for fighting climate change and channels revenue from emission allowance auctions to climate goals, with at least 450 million euros for the electricity system and up to 30% for social measures.
8. It requires listed companies, banks and insurers to publish annual reports on the financial risks of climate change, and creates the Committee of Experts on Climate Change and Energy Transition, which will assess policies and submit an annual report debated in the Congress of Deputies (Congreso de los Diputados).

Who it affects

• Municipalities with over 50,000 residents: They must adopt sustainable urban mobility plans and low emission zones by 2023.
• Gas stations with annual sales of 5 million liters or more: They must install at least one high-power electric charging point per station.
• Listed companies, banks and insurers: They must publish annual reports on climate-related financial risks, and banks must publish decarbonization targets for their loan and investment portfolios.
• Workers and areas affected by the closure of polluting activities: They are protected by the Just Transition Strategy and just transition agreements.
• The general public: People can take part in climate decisions, among other ways, through the Citizens' Assembly on Climate Change.

Words worth knowing

Neutralidad climática (climate neutrality)

A situation where greenhouse gas emissions are offset by absorptions, so the net balance is zero.

Gases de efecto invernadero (greenhouse gases)

Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere and cause global warming, such as CO2.

Zona de bajas emisiones (low emission zone)

An urban area where access, circulation and parking of the most polluting vehicles are restricted to improve air quality.

Derechos de emisión (emission allowances)

Permits to emit polluting gases that companies buy at public auctions; their price makes polluting costly.

Transición justa (just transition)

A set of measures to ensure the shift to a clean economy does not harm workers and territories that depended on polluting activities.

It summarizes the law as published in the BOE. It is written by artificial intelligence and may contain mistakes: the official text is what counts. Read the official text · How we make summaries