Greenhouse gas emissions in Spain in 2022 were 305 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent, 5.7% more than in 2021.When they are 288.6 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent, according to the Sustainability Observatory’s report ‘The evolution of greenhouse gas emissions in Spain’.
While the base year emissions were 290 million tons of CO2 equivalent in 1990, the emissions in 2005 were 442 million tons of CO2 equivalent.
The crisis caused by the coronavirus led to the biggest drop in emissions in 2020; Same thing happened with an increase in GDP, employment or public debt, but The return to normal has already led to “significant growth” despite the war in Ukraine and high gas prices. oil and electricity.
The study reflects that emissions subject to European Emissions Trade (ETS) account for 32% of the total. According to preliminary data, dispersed sectors represented 67% of total emissions and aviation 0.7%.
The decline in burning coal for electricity generation was broken in 2022, up 60 percent.Despite the fact that it already represents a “marginal” resource, unlike natural gas consumption in combined cycle power plants, which increased by 61% in 2022 despite the high prices caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
While hydraulic production decreased by 40% due to drought, wind energy increased by 1% and photovoltaic production increased by 33%.. Wind energy prevented 30 million tons of CO2 equivalent emissions in 2022. Regarding gases, the report indicates that CO2 represents about 80%, ammonia 14% and N2O 6% and the remainder represents HFC, PFC or SF6.
The document highlights that increases in 2021 and 2022 are already observed “force Increasing decarbonization efforts by 2030 and they allow increasing the ambition of the Climate Change Act’s reduction targets to achieve a decarbonised and more competitive economy”.
It also commits to reviewing decision processes”achieve structural and noncyclic decarbonizationboth in the electricity and gas sector (high prices, recovery of hydroelectric power plants, energy reserves, etc.)
Increase solar energy on roofs
Photovoltaic energy on roofs in small facilitiesindustrial warehouses, shopping malls, according to the report, “the population should be encouraged to benefit from this technology and thus avoid the impact of large facilities on the region, and the net balance should be allowed.”
The document also suggests: Photovoltaic installations in the region should be carried out using mining areas, landfills, landfills and other anthropized areas. linear infrastructures, such as roads, highways or already consolidated greenhouses, that will “allow a fast and conflict-free implementation”.
Further deployment of photovoltaics will allow “eliminating some of the wind energy that has the greatest impact on biodiversity and the greater social response,” according to the report.
Research warns that this is happening. “Especially negative was the lack of allocation of new power of solar thermal energy, which was manageable in the last auction held by the Government.because of the price limit that precludes a minimum profitability for companies in the sector”.
“Apparently, it would be preferable to pay much more for imported natural gas than to guarantee the solar company a price that guarantees amortization of the cost. criticizes its installation and cost reduction as in wind and photovoltaics.
Likewise, he searched underlined “Sharp decrease” in cogeneration (-32%) and solar thermal energy (-13%) despite being the “little sister” of photovoltaics it should also “increase significantly for decarbonization.”
Finally, consider this “The amazing opportunity of NextGeneration funds must be seized to finally decarbonize the economy and achieve a low-carbon green recovery.”
……
Contact address of the environment department: [email protected]