The Vice-President of the Government of Spain and Minister for Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge, Sara Aagesen, presents the National Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Inventory
The Vice-President of the Government of Spain and Minister for Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge, Sara Aagesen, has announced, in the framework of the presentation of the National Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Inventory, the launch of the period of public consultation prior to the updating of the Long-Term Decarbonisation Strategy (ELP 2050). This Strategy, which sets out the path to achieve climate neutrality by 2050, was approved by the Council of Ministers in 2020 and will now be updated to incorporate the progress made in recent years in our country in terms of decarbonising the economy.
"We can't just think about the here and now, we have to think about what our vision is in the long term, where we want to be in 2050. That is why, because to anticipate is to maximise opportunities, today we will be launching a period of public consultation on the Long-Term Strategy", Aagesen announced.
A strategy aligned with more ambitious goals
In 2019, the European Union updated its climate targets with the European Green Pact, increasing the emissions reduction commitment to 55% by 2030 and setting a target of climate neutrality by 2050, in line with the Paris Agreement. Subsequently, the European Commission presented the "Fit for 55" legislative package, which revises key legislation in the energy sector to ensure that the ambitious targets are met.
In line with these developments, on 24 September, the Council of Ministers forwarded to the Commission the update of the National Integrated Energy and Climate Plan, 2023-2030 (PNIEC). This second PNIEC, with more ambitious targets, aims to achieve a 32% reduction in emissions compared to 1990 by 2030.
Following these regulatory changes and developments, and given the will and the need for a clear alignment between the ELP 2050 and the PNIEC, Aagesen announced the launch a period of public consultation prior to the update of the Strategy. A Strategy, the Vice-President pointed out, "that includes such important premises as making a modern economy that is competitive and also climate-neutral by 2050, as we all committed to in Paris".
GHG emissions fall by 7.6% in 2023
Aagesen announced the public consultation during the presentation of the National Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Inventory, which shows a reduction of 7.6% in 2023, compared to the previous year. Overall, the level of emissions is 38.1% lower than in 2005 and 5.8% lower than in 1990. In addition, the figure for gross national GHG emissions in 2023 (270 million tonnes of CO₂-eq) is the lowest in the entire historical series since 1990.
This significant reduction in our emissions comes in a year of significant economic growth - GDP grew by 2.7% in 2023 compared to the previous year. "Spain set an example in 2023, showing that it is possible to decouple economic growth from GHG emissions," the Vice-President stressed during the presentation of the inventory.
In terms of GHG emissions, transport continues to be the main emitter, accounting for 32.5% of emissions in CO2-equivalent terms, followed by industry (18.6%); the agricultural and livestock sector (12.2%); electricity generation (11.4%); fuel consumption in the residential, commercial and institutional sectors (8.5%); and waste management (5.1%).
In terms of emissions from electricity generation, there has been a marked decrease in recent years: -72.5% in 2023 compared to 2005. This is due to the elimination of the use of coal and the strong commitment to renewable energies.
Increasing the share of renewables in the energy mix
A commitment that is reflected in the renewable energy penetration figures. "We are the first major European economy to exceed 50% of electricity generation with renewable energies", said the Vice-President in relation to the figures for 2023, before pointing out that "we are almost at the end of the year now and the figure for 2024 will be close to 56%".
The introduction of natural gas (the least CO2 intensive fossil fuel) and the promotion of energy saving measures have also been reflected in the decreases in emissions from industry (-50.5% compared to 2005) and the RCI sector (residential, commercial and institutional, down -26% compared to 2005).
The report presented today provides a preview of the data that Spain will submit to Brussels during the first quarter of 2025, thus fulfilling national and international reporting commitments on climate change mitigation and air pollution. "An Inventory is important because it provides real, verifiable data that allows us to see how emissions are evolving, to monitor them, to analyse the measures, whether they are adequate or not, common rules that apply not only in Spain, but throughout Europe and worldwide. In short, a thermometer that provides rigorous information every year", she added.
Air quality
The European Environment Agency reminds us every year in its reports on the state of air quality that air pollution is the biggest environmental health risk in Europe, causing cardiovascular and respiratory diseases that impact on health, reduce quality of life and lead to avoidable deaths. Recent studies show that a significant number of premature deaths could be avoided if the values recommended by the WHO are respected.
In Spain in 2001 there were 14,100 premature deaths due to exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5), 4,600 due to nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and 2,300 due to ozone (O3).
"We have been working for some time to implement solutions that contribute to improving air quality and mitigating climate change, such as the regulation of Low Emission Zones in cities with more than 50,000 inhabitants, also with the aim of improving the health of citizens and the quality of urban life, promoting a more sustainable and inclusive mobility," said the Vice-President.
Non official translation