Spain is pursuing a bold pathway in energy and the environment for the coming decade. The government has submitted a refreshed National Integrated Energy and Climate Plan to the European Commission. This draft raises green targets beyond the earlier plan and outlines an actionable route to accelerate decarbonization in line with EU requirements. It also signals a clear roadmap for citizens and businesses as Brussels negotiations proceed.
The PNIEC aims for a substantial tightening of emissions, targeting a 32% reduction by 2030 compared with three years earlier. Meeting this goal will require a rapid drop in fossil fuel use, electrification across sectors, expanded renewable capacity, and stronger energy efficiency to cut final energy consumption by around 44% from current levels.
The plan envisions a sharp rise in the share of renewables in electricity generation to about 81% by 2030, up from roughly 74% in the previous plan. It also seeks to lift the portion of total energy used in the economy that comes from renewables to around 48% (up from about 42%). Government projections, led by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, point to meaningful economic effects: roughly 294 billion euros in investments, the creation of about 522,000 new jobs by 2030, and a rise of roughly 2.5 percentage points to GDP by the end of the decade. Citizens can expect tangible changes in daily life as these measures unfold.
Sánchez’s green plan targets reduced fossil fuel reliance
5,900 fewer premature deaths
The green roadmap brings direct health benefits as well. Analyses from the Global Burden of Disease indicate that air pollution caused 11,952 deaths in 2019. The revised plan is projected to cut premature mortality by about half, estimating roughly 6,067 deaths in 2030 due to better air quality. Policies designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions also lower air pollutants produced by the same sources and processes. Exposure to fine particles (PM2.5) is closely linked to respiratory illnesses, cardiovascular events, and other health issues, underscoring the health case for stronger pollution controls.
Reducing pollutant emissions remains a core objective. Air pollution continues to be a leading determinant of mortality in many assessments. A study by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), supported by la Caixa Foundation, analyzed data from 857 European cities and identified PM2.5 and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) as the main contributors to pollution-related deaths. This research reinforces the health rationale behind faster decarbonization in Europe and strengthens the push for cleaner energy and transport systems across Spain and its European partners. (ISGlobal findings)
Sánchez seeks an additional 57,000 million euros for broad renewable expansion
Within the PNIEC framework, the green strategy includes measures to cut fine particulate matter by 44% and nitrogen oxides by 54% by 2030, along with a sulfur dioxide reduction target of 58% from 2019 levels. Researchers note that evidence continues to accumulate in favor of stronger political action. These changes go beyond individual choices, aiming to reshape how energy is produced and consumed across the economy and to bolster public health and resilience against climate risks.
Tamara Iungman, an ISGlobal researcher, explains that exposures linked to air pollutants irritate the respiratory system and can affect lung function, contributing to asthma and cardiorespiratory diseases, with possible links to hypertension and broader health impacts. Recent ISGlobal work, highlighted in Lancet Public Health, points to PM2.5 as a major driver of mortality across European cities, with farming and industry playing significant roles alongside transportation and energy sectors. These findings strengthen the case for robust air quality standards and continued investment in cleaner technologies. (Lancet Public Health summary)
The Lancet Public Health findings emphasize PM2.5 as a leading cause of mortality from home emissions, with agriculture and industry contributing alongside transportation and energy sectors, reinforcing the health rationale behind updated targets and stricter controls.
WHO recommendations
Earlier ISGlobal analyses estimated the death toll tied to non-compliance with World Health Organization air quality guidelines. The WHO assessment suggests that if European cities meet the updated 2021 air quality standards, roughly 114,000 premature deaths could be prevented each year, compared with earlier guidelines. This benchmark has become a focal point for policymakers seeking to protect public health while advancing climate goals.
Renewables and a future reset for policy and investment
Updates to Lancet Planetary Health research show that meeting WHO guidelines could save tens of thousands of lives annually. The study indicates there is no safe exposure threshold, but the new WHO air quality standards provide a clearer framework for protecting health and preventing deaths. The PNIEC aligns with these insights by prioritizing cleaner energy sources and reducing emissions across sectors, which in turn supports healthier communities and more sustainable growth in North America as well.