Spain: environment

How much greenhouse gas does Spain emit?

Spain emitted 270.74 million tonnes of greenhouse gases (CO2 equivalent) in 2025, 1.1% more than in 2024 and 4.8% below 1990, according to MITECO's preliminary greenhouse gas inventory for 2025. Net of absorption by forests and land, emissions were 220.28 million tonnes.

Land and forests absorbed 2.8% less than a year earlier, which the ministry links mainly to the large area burnt in wildfires in 2025. The preliminary figure is revised in the full inventory submitted the following year.

Official sources: MITECO: preliminary GHG inventory 2025 (PDF)

How much of Spain's electricity comes from renewables?

Renewable sources generated 56% of Spain's electricity in 2025, the third year in a row they supplied the majority, according to MITECO's preliminary greenhouse gas inventory for 2025.

Electricity generation accounted for 10.2% of Spain's gross greenhouse gas emissions in 2025. The share of renewables in all energy use, including transport and heating, is lower than in electricity. Transport, mainly fuelled by oil products, was the largest source of emissions at 34.2%.

Official sources: MITECO: preliminary GHG inventory 2025 (PDF)

Which sectors emit the most greenhouse gas in Spain?

Transport was the largest source of Spain's greenhouse gas emissions in 2025, with 34.2% of gross emissions, according to MITECO's preliminary greenhouse gas inventory for 2025. It was followed by industry (17.3%), agriculture and livestock (12.3%), electricity generation (10.2%), fuel use in homes, shops and offices (8.9%) and waste (6.4%).

The ministry notes that emissions rose 1.1% while GDP grew 2.8%, so the economy grew faster than emissions.

Official sources: MITECO: preliminary GHG inventory 2025 (PDF)

How hot was summer 2026 in Spain?

Summer 2026 was the hottest in Spain since official records began in 1961, according to AEMET's summer summary. The average temperature in mainland Spain from June to August was 24.5°C, 2.4°C above the 1991–2020 average and 0.3°C above summer 2025.

July was the hottest month on record. In the north-east, temperatures were 3.5 to 4.5°C above normal. AEMET notes that the ten hottest summers in the series have all been in the 21st century.

Official sources: AEMET: summer 2026 summary (Spanish)

How many heatwaves did Spain have in 2026?

Mainland Spain and the Balearic Islands spent 61 days under heatwave conditions in 2026, more than in any other year, according to AEMET's heatwave report of 9 September 2026. The previous record was 41 days in 2022.

The days were spread over four heatwaves. Those in July and August lasted 23 and 24 days, the third and second longest since at least 1975. The Canary Islands had one five-day heatwave in August.

Official sources: AEMET: heatwaves in 2026 (Spanish)

How much of Spain is covered by forest?

Forests covered 38.2% of Spain's land area in 2024, according to the World Bank's forest area indicator, which draws on FAO data. The share has risen slightly each year.

Forests and other land absorbed about 50.45 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2025, according to MITECO's preliminary inventory, though wildfires reduced the amount absorbed. The indicator includes planted forests as well as natural forest.

Official sources: World Bank: forest area, Spain · MITECO: preliminary GHG inventory 2025 (PDF)

How much CO2 does Spain emit per person?

The latest figure from the European Commission's EDGAR database, for 2024, is 4.5 tonnes. That is the lowest since at least 2005. Europe & Central Asia median: 5.1 tonnes; Spain is 26th highest of 46. Of 186 countries with 2024 data, 52nd highest.

What are Spain's total greenhouse gas emissions?

In 2024, total greenhouse gas emissions in Spain was 286 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent, according to the European Commission's EDGAR database. Since 2005 it has ranged from 284 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent (2020) to 457 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent (2007). It is 9th highest of 46 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 53.5 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent. World rank, highest first: 30th of 186.

How much of Spain's energy is renewable?

According to the IEA, IRENA, the UN Statistics Division, the World Bank and the WHO, the renewable share of final energy use in Spain was 19.0% in 2021. Since 2005 it has ranged from 7.3% (2005) to 19.3% (2020). Europe & Central Asia median: 20.4%; Spain is 28th highest of 50. World rank, highest first: 110th of 191.

How much of Spain is forest?

In 2024, forest area as a share of land in Spain was 38.2%, according to the FAO. No year since 2005 has been higher. It is 17th highest of 51 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 33.2%. Of 190 countries with 2024 data, 77th highest.

What is PM2.5 air pollution in Spain?

The Global Burden of Disease study puts average exposure to fine particle air pollution (PM2.5) in Spain at 10.1 micrograms per cubic metre in 2023. No year since 2005 has been lower. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 13.0 micrograms per cubic metre, and Spain placed 34th highest of 51. World rank, highest first: 154th of 192.

What share of Spain is protected land?

According to the UN Environment Programme, the share of land in protected areas in Spain was 28.1% in 2025. Since 2013 it has ranged from 27.9% (2014) to 29.8% (2013). Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 22.1%, and Spain placed 16th highest of 51. Of 192 countries with 2025 data, 43rd highest.

What is water stress in Spain?

43.3%: that is water stress in Spain for 2022, according to the FAO. The peak was 51.0% in 2005 and the low 39.8% in 2019. Europe & Central Asia median: 12.6%; Spain is 10th highest of 47. World rank, highest first: 41st of 175.