The Spanish parliament has just passed the first Climate Change and Energy Transition Law. Its aim is to help Spain achieving "before 2050" the so-called climate neutrality. According to the text, all sectors, including farming, must contribute to the economy’s decarbonization.
Fig. 1. Greenhouse gas emissions in Spain: breakdown by sector in 2019
To this end, it will say goodbye to the sale of diesel and gasoline cars in 2040, modify the electricity system to make it 100% renewable (Fig. 2) and forbid the exploitation of hydrocarbons, among other measures. This rule will gradually change the way Spaniards live, the way they produce and even the landscape of Spain.
Fig. 2. Energy consumed in Spain generated with renewables 2004-2020
Investment and employment
In the preamble of the law, which is also presented as an instrument to channel European recovery funds, it is assured that the energy transition promoted by this norm "allows the mobilization of more than €200 billion of investment over the decade 2021-2030". In addition, it is argued that "net employment will increase by between 250,000 and 350,000 people at the end of the period" thanks to the proposed measures.
Criticism from environmentalists
Parliament gave the green light to a regulation whose main objective is a carbon-neutral Spain by 2050. The proposal received the support of most of the political groups although the majority of the environmental associations such as Greenpeace and Ecologistas en Acción has criticized it. These two organizations have been very critical because, although necessary and positive, its emissions reduction target is not very ambitious.
Milestones
Starting on the road to achieving full decarbonization of the Spanish economy by 2050, the approved law also sets out a series of intermediate milestones.