Spain

Spain ranks 14th in the CCPI, up five spots from last year. The country receives medium ratings across the board, in GHG Emissions, Renewable Energy, Energy Use, and Climate Policy.

Spain received international media attention in 2025, with the country hosting the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FFD4) in June/July and experiencing a major blackout in April that cut off electricity for millions of people. Overall, the CCPI country experts note that Spain continues its path of substantial emissions reductions with EU law integrated into national action plans. Green taxation policies and progressive incorporation of climate criteria in public procurement are vital in the ongoing transition from fossil fuels. The current administration under Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has also pledged to double-down on adaptation and resilience to ensure an adequate policy response to the devastating fires, floods, and other weather extremes seen in recent years. The government initiated a State Pact on the Climate Emergency, a process aimed at strengthening collective resilience, involving civil society organizations, regional and local actors, scientists, trade unions, and businesses.

Commitment to multilateral negotiations, though more effort is needed in climate finance

The hosting of FF4D was perceived as a sign of the country’s commitment to multilateral negotiations, strengthening the exact fora also relevant for international climate policy. The government’s focus on a just transition and green finance are noted as especially positive aspects of the country’s overall international performance. However, the experts stress the need for increased and continued efforts in climate finance. Regarding EU legislation on climate, one expert considers Spain to be a crucial and reliable pillar of ambitious target setting and progressive legislation. However, small- and medium-scale energy community projects based on direct capture, transformation, and consumption of locally generated electricity are not sufficiently supported, according to one expert. The EU Renewable Energy Directive (RED) must be fully implemented to ensure that prosumers justly benefit from their investment.

Generally, the electricity sector has seen vast integration of renewables into the grid, with renewables now collectively accounting for 56% of the country’s electricity. Growth rates for solar and wind again reached record levels. In light of lagging electrification efforts in sectors such as transport, however, this transition cannot yet realize its full potential for sustainable emissions reduction. The experts also point out that the April blackout was used to justify a return to gas and nuclear power plants. The role of grid modernisation and resilience is gaining weight in the debate around the energy transition. Therefore, the experts would like to see an even clearer commitment to phasing out fossil fuels so that the definite potential for a further steep decline of emissions in electricity generation can be harnessed.

Fossil reduction and renewables expansion are impressive – all sectors must keep up

While the National Energy Efficiency Fund supports the implementation of efficient appliances, the incentives to purchase these appliances remain weak, creating a mixed outlook for energy use.

The fully implemented Climate Change and Energy Transition Act from May 2021 is designed to curb the production and demand of fossil fuels, and domestic extraction is decreasing significantly, now only covering 0.2% of demand. The remaining contribution of coal to electricity generation is expected to be terminated by 2025 – a development enabled by the rapid expansion of renewables, as all the experts point out. A Royal Decree adopted in May 2025 opted for new standards for carbon offsetting practices, mandating an external verification process in some cases. One expert group assesses this as seminal legislation for future policies on this topic.

Overall, the experts call for continued investment in grid adaptation to new challenges that the increased decentralisation of electricity production poses. They highlight the need for increased transparency and monitoring throughout the economy to ensure that every sector is sufficiently covered regarding their respective contribution to emissions reduction efforts. Progress in sectors such as transport, tourism, agriculture, and industry has yet to match the pace set by renewables and demands concrete actions and reinforced cooperation with the local level and autonomous regions.

Key Outcomes

Spain ranks 14th in the CCPI, up five spots from last year
The country continues its path of substantial emissions reductions with EU law integrated into national action plans
Key demands: continued investment in grid adaptation to new challenges that the increased decentralisation of electricity production poses