Air pollution - National Responses (Spain)

Fight against climate change

The actions and initiatives implemented by the Spanish Ministry of the Environment and Rural and Marine Affairs to combat climate change are based on reducing emissions, saving energy, increasing energy efficiency and raising renewable energy's contribution whilst preserving competitiveness, jobs and economic and budgetary stability. Key elements of this policy are the National Emission Rights Allocation Plans and the Spanish Climate Change and Clean Energy Strategy. Horizon 2007–2012–2020.

'Climate Change Policies in the EU and Spain: Analysis and Perspectives. Environment Series. Number ES, January 2009' compiles all of the initiatives adopted in this regard and describes their characteristics and envisaged scope.

Measures will also be implemented by Spain's Regional Governments and will include actions identified as additional to those set out in earlier chapters.

Other measures of interest that will undoubtedly contribute to emissions reductions include the 2008–2012 Action Plan under the Energy Saving and Efficiency Strategy, the 2005–2010 Renewable Energy Plan, the Strategic Infrastructure and Transport Plan and the Building Code.

Emissions reductions

In 2008, the MARM approved the Second National Emissions Reduction Programme. This will be implemented through a series of sectoral action plans that fall within the scope of the Action Plan for Application of the Second National Emissions Reduction Programme in accordance with the National Emissions Ceiling Directive.

As regards air quality (including that in the urban environment), two of the principal measures are the Spanish Air Quality Strategy and Law 34/2007, on Air Quality and Protection of the Atmosphere.

Among other aspects, this latter piece of legislation makes it mandatory for Regional Governments to adopt plans and programmes to improve air quality and to comply with the air quality targets set for their territory. This also applies to towns and cities with over 100 000 inhabitants.

Sources:

• Spanish Official State Gazette. BOE no. 25, Tuesday 29 January 2008 (page 5254). Agreement of 7 December 2007, of the Council of Ministers, approving the 2^nd National Emissions Reduction Programme (http://www.boe.es/boe/dias/2008/01/29/pdfs/A05254-05262.pdf).
• Spanish Institute for Energy Saving and Diversification. 2008–2012 Action Plan under the Spanish Energy Saving and Efficiency Strategy. (http://www.idae.es/index.php/mod.pags/mem.detalle/relcategoria.1127/id.67/relmenu.11
• MARM, 2009. Climate Change Policies in the EU and Spain: Analysis and Perspectives. Environment Series. Number ES, January 2009. http://www.mapa.es/ministerio/pags/analisis_prospectiva/medio_ambiente/medio_ambiente1.pdf