Q&A. Information on the National Climate Change Adaptation Plan

Enacted in 2021, this law establishes Spain's legal framework for achieving climate neutrality by 2050, aligning with the Paris Agreement and Sustainable Development Goals. It mandates a 23% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 (compared to 1990 levels), alongside ambitious renewable energy targets, including 42% of final energy consumption from renewables and 74% renewable electricity generation by 2030. Energy efficiency measures aim for a 39.5% reduction in primary energy consumption within the same timeframe. The law also prohibits new hydrocarbon and radioactive mineral exploitation, requires emission-free transport systems in cities with populations exceeding 50,000, and emphasises sustainable urban mobility.

The legislation includes a national Just Transition Strategy to ensure equitable economic opportunities, particularly for vulnerable regions, while fostering adaptation and resilience to climate risks across critical sectors such as water, biodiversity, and health. It creates governance mechanisms like the Expert Committee on Climate Change and Energy Transition to monitor progress and updates to Spain's Integrated National Energy and Climate Plan (PNIEC). Projecting investments exceeding €200 billion by 2030, the law is expected to enhance Spain’s GDP by €16.5–25.7 billion annually and generate 250,000–350,000 new jobs. The focus on education, innovation, and public awareness underscores its commitment to a holistic and inclusive transition.

This collection represent a body of policies, strategies, and plans enacted under this law. 

Law 7/2021 on climate change and energy transition [Spain]

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Laws and Policies

CCLW

CCLW national policies

National Climate Change Adaptation Plan 2021-2030

Work Program 2021–2025. National Climate Change Adaptation Plan 

National Climate Change Adaptation Plan 2021-2030. English version

Plan adopted

The National Climate Change Adaptation Plan is a reference framework for the co-ordination of the Public Administrations in the activities of impact assessment, vulnerability studies and adaptation to climate change in Spain. This document replaces an earlier version published in 2006 and spanning the period 2006-2020. The Plan considers a series of ecological systems and socio-economic sectors for impact assessment, vulnerability studies and adaptation to climate change: biodiversity, hydro resources, forests, agricultural sector, coastal areas, continental hunting and fishing, mountain areas, fishing and marine ecosystems, transport, human health, industry and energy, tourism, financial services, urban planning and construction. The Plan aims to facilitate and to provide continuous assistance to all the interested administrations and organisations - public and private, at all levels, to evaluate the impacts of climate change in Spain in the sector/system of their interest, and to provide all the information available on the subject, and the available elements, tools and assessment methods, for purposes of promoting the process of participation between the ones involved that can lead to the definition of the best adaptation options to climate change.

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An aim to achieve a quantifiable outcome within a given time-frame, set by an institution such as a national government.

Policy instruments are techniques or tools used by governing authorities to promote certain policies in order to achieve predetermined goals. Put simply, instruments are how a government tries to achieve its goals, with this taxonomy being focused on national policy instruments.

Risk is the potential for adverse consequences resulting from the dynamic interplay between (climate-related) hazards, exposure, and vulnerability of affected human or ecological systems.

Groups  of people who are adversely affected by climate change or the response to it

A set of principles, processes, and practices that build economic and political power to shift from an extractive economy to a regenerative economy.

Renewable energy means all forms of energy produced from renewable sources in a sustainable manner.

Fossil fuel is a generic term for non-renewable energy sources such as coal, fossil gas, and oil (including crude oil, and petroleum products), that can be used for electricity and heat generation. Fossil fuels are hydrocarbons formed from pressurised and heated organic material buried over millions of years.

Molecules in the atmosphere that play a key role in the greenhouse effect by trapping heat radiating from Earth’s surface.

Area of the economy in which actors engage in identical or related activities.

In human systems, the process of adjustment to actual or expected climate change and its effects, in order to moderate harm, increase resilience or exploit beneficial opportunities. In natural systems, the process of adjustment to actual climate change and its effects; human intervention may facilitate adjustment to expected climate change and its effects.

The management and allocation of funds, assets and investments to meet various objectives

This sector involves the wholesale and retail selling of goods.

Terrestrial means "of the earth" and relates to the risks to ecological system that includes all living organisms and their interactions within land-based environments, such as forests, grasslands, and deserts.

Heavy precipitation refers to any form of weather where substances fall from the sky, including rain, snow, sleet, or hail.

People whose sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression differs from the majority or societal norms

This sector includes firms and individuals offering specialised expertise in fields such as law, accounting, consulting, science and engineering.

A drought is an extended period of unusually dry weather marked by a significant and sustained lack of precipitation, falling below a specific threshold over a large area for more than a month

Activities involving the catching, processing, and selling of fish for food, recreation, and industry.

Financial actors and resources that are primarily directed towards climate change mitigation, adaptation and compensation.

Activities of businesses and institutions that provide financial services and products to individuals and organisations.

Air pollution involves harmful contaminants in the air, affecting both indoor and outdoor environments. It can lead to health issues like respiratory diseases and heart problems, and climate impacts such as global warming. Pollutants can damage plants, trees, habitats, and water bodies like rivers and lakes.

Activities that provide lodging, food, and entertainment services to guests, including hotels, restaurants, and resorts.

Financial support to help individuals manage the effects of unexpected events, securing their livelihoods and increasing the resilience of people and businesses to the changing climate. It’s especially vital in developing regions where everyday risks, climate-related weather extremes, or crop failures can push people into poverty. Without insurance, people may have to resort to selling assets or cutting consumption to cope with losses.

Actions and measures to adapt and increase resilience of societies and the economy to climate change.

The release of heat-trapping gases, primarily from human activities such as burning fossil fuels, agriculture and industry.

Slow onset events evolve gradually from incremental changes over many years or from increased frequency or intensity of recurring events. As defined in the Cancun Adaptation Framework (2010), slow onset events include risks and impacts from rising temperatures, desertification, biodiversity loss, land and forest degradation, glacial retreat, ocean acidification, sea level rise, and salinization.

Risks to the ecosystem health of the marine environment, including ocean warming, ocean acidification, and ocean deoxygenation, harming biodiversity, species health, ecosystem services, and coastal community livelihoods.

Activities that involve the cultivation of crops and raising of livestock for food, fibre, and other products essential for human life and industry.

Either money or something of monetary value is transferred between two or more organisations, people or countries.

Electrical energy generated from mechanical devices driven by flowing fresh water.

Activities that involve planning, designing and building infrastructure, residential, and commercial structures.

Conditions that enhance the feasibility of adaptation options. Enabling conditions include finance, technological innovation, strengthening policy instruments, institutional capacity, multi-level governance and changes in human behaviour and lifestyles.

Hot temperature extremes are daily maximum temperatures  that were exceeded on average once in a decade or once in 50 years, and includes heatwaves.

Zoning and spatial planning are both methods for guiding the distribution of people and activities in a space, and are regulatory restriction.

woman and genders outside of the gender binary

Activities of government agencies and institutions that provide public services, enforce laws and manage public resources.

This sector involves activities that impart knowledge and skills to individuals, including formal schooling, vocational training and educational support.

Extreme weather refers to events where a weather variable exceeds (or falls below) a threshold. Meaning it is significantly different from the average or usual weather pattern.

Social inclusion is the process of improving the terms on which individuals and groups take part in society—improving the ability, opportunity, and dignity of those disadvantaged on the basis of their identity.

This sector involves activities to move goods and people, alongside the storage of products.

Finance that is primarily directed towards climate change adaptation, including increasing resilience and robustness to actual or expected climate change and its effects.

Q&A. Information on the National Climate Change Adaptation Plan

Policy instrument

Risk

Impacted group

Just transition

Renewable energy

Greenhouse gas

Economic sector

Adaptation/resilience

Finance