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Despite our attempts at contributing to climate change mitigation, Spain still has limitations regarding it’s capacity to act- stemming largely from financial crisis. Other countries must thus also assume responsibility:The US has one-quarter of the South Asian nation’s population, but more than twice the level of harmful carbon emissions produced.The US is the second largest producer of Co2 emissions which are currently rising by 26-28% and are 9th richest country in the world. This proves that the US continues to make economic growth a priority at the expense of the environment.  This pattern of climate change denial in turn, gives license to everyone else to start relaxing their ambitions. The US as a powerful world leader has the accessibility and potential to be in a position of influence for global environmental reform. Americas position on Climate change is reflected in views held by current president Trump representing America’s unwillingness to create positive action and sustainable reform regarding Climate Change issues.      

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Despite our attempts at contributing to climate change mitigation, Spain still has limitations regarding it’s capacity to act- stemming largely from financial crisis. Other countries must thus also assume responsibility:The US has one-quarter of the South Asian nation’s population, but more than twice the level of harmful carbon emissions produced.The US is the second largest producer of Co2 emissions which are currently rising by 26-28% and are 9th richest country in the world. This proves that the US continues to make economic growth a priority at the expense of the environment.  This pattern of climate change denial in turn, gives license to everyone else to start relaxing their ambitions. The US as a powerful world leader has the accessibility and potential to be in a position of influence for global environmental reform. Americas position on Climate change is reflected in views held by current president Trump representing America’s unwillingness to create positive action and sustainable reform regarding Climate Change issues.      

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http://news.nationalgeographic.com/energy/2015/04/150421-US-carbon-emissions-rise/
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/apr/10/us-carbon-emissions-set-to-fall-to-lowest-level-in-two-decades
https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=26152

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"Even if all the initial targets set in Paris are met, we’ll only be part of the way there when it comes to reducing carbon from the atmosphere." - USA. highlights the need to do more outside this paris agreement. USA being rich should fund this.

"a last chance to hand over to future generations a world that is more stable, a healthier planet, fairer societies and more prosperous economies." - EU commission president Junker.. This supports the campaign of urgency

"Now we have to move from agreements to action. Only in this way will we achieve ... making life on the planet healthier for current and future generations," -

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What could be done domestically to respond to CC? How could current responses be enhanced?

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What could be done domestically to respond to CC? How could current responses be enhanced?

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Future action regarding climate change will be influenced by the challenges experienced in establishing initial responses. For example, incentives of 2008 to encourage solar energy were introduced with only time limitations, rather than capacity and subsidy limits, leaving Spain in a deficit of approximately 25 million euros. Such pitfalls of incentives will thus be considered to ensure the potential of renewable energy resources are maximised without extreme economic repercussions.

Spain, as a leader in renewable energy sources such as wind power, could also contribute to Climate Change efforts by lending its expertise in renewable energy to other Mediterranean states, or states in Asia. It would have a particular interest in assisting other Mediterranean states, as the efforts of states within this region would contribute to lessening the impact of climate change on Spain- the combined and strengthened efforts of the entire region would benefit individual nations.

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Current domestic responses to impact of climate change?

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Current domestic responses to impact of climate change?

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Spain has a Climate Change Office, operating in the Secretary of State of the Environment.

The primary CC policy is the Strategy of Climate Change and Clean Energy, which entered into force in 2007 and will remain so until 2020. This policy focuses on: energy efficiency, sustainable transport and renewable energies, which all aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The Energy Saving and Efficiency strategy of 2004-2012 demonstrates Spain’s contribution to combatting CC thus far, with the country achieving the 2016 energy use target by 2010.

Spain has invested considerable amounts into CC efforts. The 5th installment of the  Efficient Vehicle Incentive Programme cost EUR175M. The Aid Programme for the Energy Renovation of Existing Buildings cost 125M.

Spain developed a Forest Plan: this recognised forest areas as valuable means or storing Carbon Dioxide and thus aimed to protect existing forests and found new forest regions. The original objective was to plan 45M trees, however, economic crisis resulted in this being reduced to 19.5M, which was achiever in 2011.

Transport: Transport accounts for 25% of Spain’s GHG emissions and 50% of its energy consumption- targeting this industry is thus imperative in order to reduce the nation's environmental impact. Projects to date have focused on the development of railway systems. The Scrappage Scheme also offers citizens a 1500EUR incentive to discard cars older than 10 years and replace them with one less than a year old.

Regional governments also offer grants as incentives to buy alternative energy vehicles.

Throughout the first eight months of 2016, Spain 47.2% of generated energy was that of renewable sources.

Wind power: 21.8%

Hydroelectricity: 17.8%

Solar PV: 3.4%

Solar thermal: 2.4%

Other: 1.8%

Source: http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/articles/2016/09/spain-closes-in-on-50-percent-renewable-power-generation.html

Policies provide renewable operators with incentives and obligations - EXAMPLES

Spain was the 5th largest producer of wind power, producing 5.3% of the world’s total in 2015. (Source: https://www.evwind.es/2016/06/23/8-countries-that-produce-the-most-wind-energy-in-the-world/56665)

Aims to use wind power to supply 40% of consumption by 2020. (Source: cleanTechnica)

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Impact of CC on country/people/environment- what industries are affected e.g. agricultural

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Impact of CC on country/people/environment- what industries are affected e.g. agricultural

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Spain's concerns differ from those of Northern European countries, focusing predominantly on water scarcity, wildfire, soil erosion and maritime pollution.

The immediate effects of climate change, specific to Spain include:

Rising sea levels

Coastal erosion

Water scarcity

Increase in wildfires

Heat waves

These effects would come to affect key economic sectors, including:

Tourism

Agriculture

Forestry

Fisheries

Infrastructure

Energy

Health

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SHOWS DEVELOPMENT OF SPAINS ATTITUDE TO CLIMATE CHANGE (BECOME MORE ACTIVE)
http://www.realinstitutoelcano.org/wps/portal/rielcano_en/contenido?WCM_GLOBAL_CONTEXT=/elcano/elcano_es/zonas_es/politicaexteriorespanola/eee18-2014-lazaro-lopezgunn-climate-change-in-spain-future-foreign-policy

CLIMATE CHANGE THREATS ON SPAIN:
https://www.thelocal.es/20151130/climate-change-catastrophes-spain-is-currently-facing

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Spain heavily supports the Ibero-American Network of Climate Change Offices (RIOCC), contributing to the advancement of international climate negotiations. RIOCC has been a key player in fighting climate change in Lmbero-america for over a decade.

This organisation that Spain continues to supports has recognised that "climate change is one of the greatest global threats to man's survival on Earth, there is no longer any doubt Reasonable as to their origin as a consequence of human action in accordance with the shared but differentiated responsibilities of different countries."

RIOCC promotes the proper implementation of the decisions of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and contributes to the approach of positions in the international forums of negotiation on climate change and in other relevant forums with incidence in climate change.

Minister Isabel Tejerina said that the RIOCC has become “one of the most important regional initiatives on climate change.” She added that Spain was “proud to have supported this project over the last ten years through the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID).”

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AN IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE: to turn southern Spain to desert by 2100

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AN IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE: to turn southern Spain to desert by 2100

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Recent reports through research have come to the prospect that by 2100 Southern Spain will be a desert.

"Southern Spain will be reduced to desert by the end of the century if the current rate of greenhouse gas emissions continue unchecked, researchers have warned." (The Guardian, 2016)

This shows the challenges that climate change directly imposes on Spain, making it a key state in global warming. Moreover, Spain exemplifies it seriousness in responding towards global warming as they have effetively reacted to these reports through their signing of the Paris Agreement as discussed above. The Paris Climate deal aims to reduce temperatures to 1.5C.

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current international commitments                                                          THE PARIS AGREEMENT 

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current international commitments                                                          THE PARIS AGREEMENT 

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This treaty has recently entered force as of October 2016. Calls for the prospects of tighter emission cuts down the line 'that could yet steer the world away from dangerous climate change, as the majority of citizens globally want'.
Aim to limit maximum global average temperature increases

Spain has expressed much support and of this and is a member to this treaty. The first-ever universally binding climate change agreement.

Spain would be a representative of Europe. Europe has shown through the creation of this agreement that they are readily prepared to effectively face climate change through unity and solidarity.

“We are reaching a critical period for decisive climate action. And when the going gets tough, Europe gets going.” - Miguel Arias Cañete, EU Commissioner for Climate Action and Energy.

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Governance/regulatory frameworks/ability to act

Spains various states have difficulties agreeing on various issues which affect all of spain the autonomous communities would require a more local or regional commitment to effectively influence and encourage climate change goals to be met

Spain’s revenue from environmental taxes is among the lowest in Europe with levies on energy production, pollution and hydrocarbons equal to 1.86% of GDP against an EU average of 2.5%

Given the difficult political situation the government is reluctant to raise environmental taxes due to the financial situation and the negative reaction from energy and transport companies who feel that they are being forced to pull the most weight in the EU strategy to increase spains GDP to 3.2% they are currently at 2.6%

Spain is still meeting economic aims and targets set by the EUin relation to the financial crisis which has caused many social and political implications, envi

ranked 32 in the Environmental Performance index 2012

Needs to enhance the efficiency of environmental policies and should integrate the environmental concerns in industries such as tourism, transport, energy, construction, and agriculture

Needs to ensure that policies are being

Are there subnational/sub-state governments that can have their own position/take actions?

Spain is broken up into 50 provinces with varied cultural nationalities and interests. It would be necessary for these actors to implement their own personal strategies for spain to meet national or global climate change goals.

Are there other key actors within the country?

Other key outside actors that have an influence?

What is country’s energy consumption?

234.00 billion KwH per year

Spain could provide itself with own energy although it trades with foreign traders

CO2 Emissions: 276.00 mt

Does it produce fossil fuels? Does it export them? Does it need to import all field needs?

What’s it’s capacity for renewables?

Renewable energy consumption is high

Generates good return for cleantech companies and cleantech companies are high

Economics! Is it developing or developed from a long time ago? Rich or poor? Industrialised? Agricultural?

Industrialised country, suffering economic down turn slowly growing again, developed later than other european countries due to dictatorship, political issues

Recovering from a dictatorship throughout most of 20th century

Key natural resources of Spain include iron ore, coal, copper, lignite, lead, uranium, tungsten, zinc, magnesite, fluorspar, mercury, pyrites, gypsum, kaolin, potash, sepiolite, hydropower, and arable land.

GDO/HDI

Spain’s financial crisis?

Spain is struggling from implications from the financial crisis in 2008 there is an unemployment rate of 18.6% and much civil unrest and distrust happening within the country

Rising poverty and inequality

Unstable banking sector
http://elpais.com/elpais/2016/12/09/inenglish/1481274704_090028.html
https://www.thelocal.es/20140508/revealed-spains-most-polluted-city-who-environment

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-       Impact of CC on country/people/environment- what industries are affected e.g. agricultural

-       Current domestic responses to impact of climate change?

-       What are the domestic commitments of the nation: legal obligations? What has been achieved?

-       What could be done domestically to respond to CC? How could current responses be enhanced?

-       Identify countries in comparable position regarding impact

-       What are the current international commitments of the nation: treaty, recent climate change negotiations? E.g. Paris agreement

-       What has been happening internationally regarding CC agreement/negotiations

-       What has currently been agreed to regarding action on CC?

-       What are the beliefs/ideological position regarding CC and/or responses to it?

-       Are there subnational/sub-state governments that can have their own position/take actions?

-       Are there other key actors within the country?

-       Other key outside actors that have an influence?

-       What is country’s energy consumption?

-       Does it produce fossil fuels? Does it export them? Does it need to import all field needs?

-       What’s it’s capacity for renewables?

-       Economics! Is it developing or developed from a long time ago? Rich or poor? Industrialised? Agricultural? GDO/HDI

-       Populous?

-       Powerful?

Governance/regulatory frameworks/ability to act

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Description of Spanish policy toward CC:

http://www.bcn.cat/climatechange/en/politiques-espanyoles.html

List of legislation in place and approaches by spain:

http://www.lse.ac.uk/GranthamInstitute/legislation/countries/spain/