Overview of Low Emission Zones and Urban Mobility Policy
Only 17 of 151 Spanish municipalities have acted on the Climate Change Act by introducing Low Emission Zones (Zonas de Baja Emisión ZBE). This is how the central government currently describes the situation, calling some municipalities like Logroño backsliding in mobility reform. The assessment came from officials who are overseeing the policy’s rollout and communications about the obligations for cities to implement ZBEs.
The remarks came during a mobility and air quality event in Madrid where Teresa Ribera, Acting Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Ecological Transition, announced that a map will be published detailing which municipalities have obligations to install ZBEs. So far, the steps taken cover only a portion of the required duties. Climate Change Law 14 targets cities with populations over 50,000 and a subset of those with more than 20,000 residents for ZBEs activation due to elevated air pollution levels, according to Marta Muñoz, deputy general manager for clean air and industrial sustainability, who spoke at the meeting.
The discussion highlighted that traffic pollution remains a leading environmental cause of premature death in the European Union. It is estimated that around 20,000 premature deaths per year in Spain are linked to pollutants such as nitrogen oxides NO2, ozone O3, and fine particles PM2.5, with additional environmental, social, and economic costs.
Ribera noted that the current urban design model disproportionately concentrates space for cars, generating significant costs for healthcare and emergency services. She pointed to the need for changes in public administrations and acknowledged the public’s level of awareness that supports urban transformation, referencing the Madrid Center demonstration in 2019 as an example of public support.
Accompanied by health, mobility, and urban planning experts, the minister emphasized the challenge of advancing reform within city administrations while society increasingly supports the shift toward healthier streets.
Ribera remarked that the approach seen in Logroño within the last two weeks would not be replicable in cities like Pontevedra, stressing that freedom means enjoying the street rather than the car.
David Lois, a researcher at the Transport Research Center of the Polytechnic University of Madrid, affirmed broad public support for the change, adding that political leadership must be strong and decisive to carry it through.
Changing Travel Habits and Health Benefits
Lois observed that while many resist motor travel for personal reasons, roughly 30 percent of city journeys are under two kilometers, suggesting potential for shorter trips to be made by foot or bike.
From a communications standpoint, Cristina Linares, a researcher at the National School of Health at the Carlos III Institute of Health, urged greater emphasis on the health advantages of transforming the urban model toward active mobility. Walking and cycling can reduce cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, obesity, diabetes, and mental health issues.
She also noted that where a person lives, the zip code, often plays a larger role in health outcomes than genetics. Redirecting investment toward improving the urban environment could meaningfully lower risk factors without increasing overall healthcare spending.
The discussion highlighted the ongoing tension between policy goals and implementation within local administrations, while acknowledging the social momentum supporting urban reform.
Further updates and official guidance on ZBEs and related obligations are expected as the government continues to refine its implementation plan and supply municipalities with clearer timelines and resources.
For those seeking more information, the environment ministry maintains ongoing updates about ZBEs and air quality initiatives.