Spain’s bid to tackle climate change
Towns will have to set up low emissions areas ‘as a matter of urgency’
AFTER the national government declared a ‘climate emergency’ last week, deputy prime minister Teresa Ribera has set out a series of objectives – many of which will affect the Costas.
The two-page declaration notes that the Mediterranean region is one of the world ‘hot spots’ for climate change.
This will impact ‘directly and indirectly’ on the local economy and the environment, notes the declaration.
“It will accelerate the deterioration of essential resources such as water and fertile soil, threatening the quality of life and the health of the people,” according to the government.
As a result they will implement policies to fight climate change and conserve the environment ‘to guarantee wellbeing and the survival of the human race’.
Their action will be ‘transversal’, with action across government departments affecting economic policy, transport, housing, health, education, consumer policies and international cooperation.
The new government will present a number of measures this year which will impact on the south east of the country.
Sra Ribera explained that towns and cities with more than 50,000 residents will have to set up low emissions areas ‘as a matter of urgency’.
This will affect Alicante, Elche, Torrevieja, Orihuela, Benidorm, Alcoy, Elda and San Vicente.
Ecologists have welcomed the announcement and noted
Photo EFE that this measure has had a big impact on pollution levels in Madrid and Barcelona.
Low emissions zones favour public transport, cyclists and pedestrians – and place restrictions on car use.
Sra Ribera also noted that her department will produce a ‘strategy to protect the coast’ before the end of the year.
They will also bring in new laws on rubbish and recycling, the funding of public transport and sustainable transport.
The deputy prime minister explained that refuse legislation will ‘tackle the problem of single-use plastic’.
It will also set the objective of achieving ‘zero waste’ by 2050, meaning that no rubbish would be sent to landfills or incinerators and all products will be reused, where possible.
Sra Ribera noted that one of the first measures will be take the new climate change and energy transition law (Ley de Cambio Climático y Transición Energética) to Parliament for approval.
She explained that its objective is to ‘guarantee the obligation to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases’ to netzero by 2050, with 100% of energy production coming from renewable sources by this date.
They will also ban prospecting for petroleum and natural gas, as well as fracking.
Their sustainable tourism strategy will ‘increase the resilience of the sector against climate change’.
They also aim to protect 30% of marine areas in Spanish waters by 2030.