Catalonia has reduced emissions by 1% compared to 1990

With the arrival of the COP26 UN World Climate Conference in Scotland, the focus on these shores has turned to how far Catalonia has gone to reduce its pollutant emissions. 

Since 1990, Catalonia has managed a 1% reduction in emissions, according to government estimates. Pending the final data, the department of the environment calculates that the objectives have been met, i.e. to stay below a 4% increase in this time. 

However, department sources point out that the goal “was not very difficult to meet” and that in addition, the Covid-19 has actually helped achieve it. 

They admit that the new European goals are "very ambitious" and will require a "certain transformation."

As such, the government has recently approved the amendment of the decree law of urgent measures to promote renewables.

The European Commission has proposed that in 2030, at least 40% of energy consumption should come from renewables. In Catalonia, renewable energy sources account for only around 10%. 

Faced with some resistance against large renewables projects, such as the local residents’ group working against the proposed wind farm off the Gulf of Roses, ERC and CUP had agreed on a moratorium on such projects, but this week the amendment to the law was approved to introduce some changes in this regard.

The text incorporates measures to resume some renewable energy projects, to minimize their social and territorial impact which has been the cause of some friction in communities, and also to facilitate the practice of self-consumption. 

For more information on the plans and opposition to the construction of a wind farm off the Gulf of Roses, known as Parc Tramuntana, check out the episode of our podcast, Filling the Sink, on the subject below. 

Catalonia and Barcelona at COP26

The country's foremost authorities will support COP26. For instance, the Catalan president, Pere Aragonès, will attend the event from Sunday, taking part in regional governments' meetings as part of the Regions 4 and Under 2 organizations, which aim to reduce emissions.

Vice president Jordi Puigneró and climate action minister, Teresa Jordà, will also be in Glasgow in the coming days. The mayor of Barcelona, Ada Colau, will talk in the summit on Wednesday, but traveled last weekend in order to attend a meeting of global cities against climate change, including the likes of London and Paris.