The Industry & Energy Transition Index: Spain

Greenhouse gas emissions reduction

Progress in terms of reducing greenhouse gas emissions (% change vs 1990 baseline)

Greenhouse gas emissions in Spain have been decreasing since 2017. Emissions were particularly low in 2020 and 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic.

For 2023, estimations from the Basque Centre for Climate Change show a further reduction of emissions, putting Spain on track to achieving the 32 percent goal in 2030.¹

From a sector perspective (detailed next), looking at 2022 official data, the power sector reduced its emissions the most (31 percent versus 1990). However, as for most other sectors, it is still lagging the linear trajectory to achieve the 2030 goals.

The industry sector is the exception. It saw emissions fall 11 percent by 2022 (versus 1990) and is now ahead of the trajectory, leading the way to decarbonization.

Sector perspectives

Overall emissions

2023 emissions reductions are on track to achieve the 32 percent reduction reference target by 2030.

Indicator definition

Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions include all GHG emissions in CO₂ equivalent (CO₂e) from all sectors in the economy as per the IPCC guidelines. It excludes land use, land-use change, and forestry, as well as international aviation and navigation.

We analyzed overall emissions and their breakdown across six sectors (transport, industry, power, buildings, agriculture, and waste management), according to the McKinsey Global Institute taxonomy.

Progress assessment

The most recent data point is a reduction of four percent emissions in 2023 (versus 1990 levels), based on the data from the European Environment Agency (EEA). To assess progress, a linear curve between 2019 and 2030 is considered, the arrival reference being the PNIEC’s latest target of a reduction of 32 percent, updated in 2024. To that curve, a standard deviation (based on 2014–19 historical data) is removed or added to create an on-track range. As the most recent progress is within that range, the status for the indicator is on track.

For the sector perspectives below, a linear curve between 2019 and 2030 is considered, the arrival reference being the PNIEC’s June 2023 draft implicit target (Table 2.2). To that curve, a standard deviation (based on 2014–19 historical data) is removed or added to create an on-track range. The indicator status is decided by the most recent progress relative to that range.

_{¹ European Environment Agency (EEA) yet to confirm official data for 2023; an estimation from the Basque Centre for Climate Change was used for 2023; EEA greenhouse gases—data viewer,” European Environment Agency, April 15, 2024.}