Spain recorded 305 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent in greenhouse gas emissions for 2022, a rise of 5.7% from 2021, according to the Sustainability Observatory report The evolution of greenhouse gas emissions in Spain. The study places 288.6 million tonnes in 2022 as a provisional figure, reflecting ongoing emissions trends across sectors.
Looking back, base year emissions hovered around 290 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 1990, while 2005 marked a peak of about 442 million tonnes. The coronavirus crisis triggered the sharpest drop in emissions in 2020, a year when GDP, employment, and public debt also fluctuated dramatically. As economies normalized, emissions climbed again, even amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and elevated prices for gas and electricity, signaling a rapid rebound in activity.
The report notes that emissions covered by the European Union Emissions Trading System (ETS) account for 32% of the total. Preliminary data show that dispersed sectors contributed about 67% of total emissions, with aviation responsible for roughly 0.7%.
Coal use for electricity generation declined in 2022 after years of reduced reliance, yet it rose by 60% in that year. Although coal is still a marginal resource, natural gas use in combined-cycle plants surged by 61% in 2022, driven by high energy prices and the broader energy market disruption caused by the conflict in Ukraine.
Hydropower production fell by about 40% due to drought, while wind energy grew by around 1% and solar photovoltaic output rose by 33%. Wind power helped prevent roughly 30 million tonnes of CO2 equivalents in 2022. The report indicates that CO2 accounts for about 80% of gas-related emissions, with ammonia at 14% and N2O at 6%, while the remainder comes from HFC, PFC, or SF6.
The document highlights that the increases in 2021 and 2022 reflect stronger decarbonization efforts aimed at 2030 targets and the Climate Change Act, driving a more ambitious decarbonized and competitive economy.
It also emphasizes reviewing decision processes to achieve structural and noncyclic decarbonization in both electricity and gas sectors, addressing high prices, hydroelectric recovery, and energy reserves.
Increase solar energy on roofs
Rooftop photovoltaic installations in small facilities, industrial warehouses, and shopping centers are highlighted as a path for residents to benefit from solar energy and reduce the impact of large-scale facilities on regions, while ensuring a favorable net balance.
The report suggests that regional solar installations should leverage mining areas, landfills, and other anthropized zones, as well as linear infrastructure such as roads and highways, to enable rapid, conflict-free deployment and reuse existing greenhouse infrastructure where feasible.
Expanding photovoltaics could lessen the need for wind energy that most affects biodiversity and social response, according to the study.
The research notes that a lack of new solar thermal capacity remains a concern, a situation tied to price caps that hinder profitability for sector companies.
It is suggested that higher imports of natural gas could be preferable to guaranteeing solar firms a price that would ensure cost amortization, with calls to reduce costs in wind and photovoltaic sectors.
The document also mentions a sharp decline in cogeneration (-32%) and solar thermal energy (-13%), though both are seen as important for decarbonization efforts that should grow in the medium term.
Finally, the report underscores the opportunity to use NextGeneration funds to accelerate decarbonization and drive a low-carbon, green recovery.
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