Yearly report shows progress and challenges for a greener future
The past year left a clear imprint on climate news, with both hopeful milestones and troubling warnings. In Spain and across Europe, major environmental organizations highlighted notable gains: tighter rules against imported deforestation, a surge in renewable energy, new waste legislation, and momentum from the Montreal biodiversity agreement. The year 2022 is remembered for these wins and the hope that they will mature or expand in 2023.
Even as conflicts such as the war in Ukraine reshaped many priorities, the environmental movement found reasons for optimism. The Montreal summit, known as COP15, agreed to preserve at least 30 percent of biodiversity and laid plans to restore ecosystems like Doñana. A contemporary waste law complemented European measures to curb imported deforestation, signaling a coordinated push toward sustainable supply chains.
Balancing these advances were reflections on climate justice. The year closed with broad recognition from leading environmental groups in Spain, including WWF, Greenpeace, Ecologistas en Acción, Amigos de la Tierra, and SEO/BirdLife, who cited a universal human right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment. They also welcomed the climate financing commitments that emerged from the Egypt COP27 summit, underscoring the international obligation to compensate vulnerable communities for climate-related losses and damages.
Among 2022’s conservation victories, authorities approved a strategy to coexist with wolves in rural areas. According to WWF, this plan marks a significant shift away from the old, lethal approach toward wolves and emphasizes prevention of damage as a core objective.
Renewable energy moves forward while demanding responsible growth
On the energy transition, environmental groups note a robust debate about how to balance rapid deployment with safeguards. Renewable generation reached historic highs this year, with wind power achieving notable daily outputs and solar energy surpassing 2021 by a substantial margin, as reported by Greenpeace. Yet resistance to some large-scale projects intensified, driven by concerns for biodiversity and landscape integrity.
Organizations advocate for accelerated but careful renewable expansion to phase out fossil fuels and curb global warming. They stress the need to protect biodiversity and ensure broad citizen participation in decision-making. Blanca Ruibal of Friends of the Earth emphasized growing citizen awareness that energy systems should democratize and empower local communities, alongside efforts to reduce final energy consumption. The message from Ecologistas en Acción and SEO/BirdLife echoed the call for thoughtful planning, especially in the face of mineral extraction pressures and the push toward greater recycling of metals as an alternative to mining.
The year also featured the historical stance of the Energy Charter Treaty, with Spain seeking to exit this framework, a move aligned with European Parliament calls for a clean break from the treaty’s terms. This shift is viewed as part of a broader realignment toward energy sovereignty and sustainable policy in Europe.
Combating plastic and guarding forests amid a changing market
Progress continued in the fight against single-use plastics. A new waste law and earlier measures require producers to manage their packaging and explore deposit-return schemes for bottles and containers. At the same time, the European Union approved rules to curb the marketing of products linked to deforestation in tropical forests. The bloc is enforcing strict supply-chain verification for products ranging from timber to food to ensure sustainable sourcing across member states.
These developments reflect a broader push to reduce plastic waste and to safeguard ecosystems while maintaining a practical approach to industry and consumer needs. The environmental sector continues to push for policies that align industrial activity with biodiversity protection and public participation, even as global markets evolve rapidly.
For ongoing updates from the environment sector, readers are directed to official communications from relevant agencies and the major non-governmental organizations that monitor climate policy and biodiversity protection. (Source notes: United Nations agencies, European Commission reports, and leading European environmental groups.)